What is Polaris inflight service?
Inflight dining
For meals in Polaris business class, we currently serve your entrée, salad with salad dressing, bread and mixed nuts together, along with a sealed, single-serve ice cream cup for dessert service.* Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap.
While any United passenger with a valid same-day boarding pass can buy a one-time pass for United Club lounges (or a United Club membership), not just anyone can get into the coveted Polaris lounge. There are no United Polaris lounge day passes.
No, because United offers two distinct business class products. United business class is what you're flying when traveling between the U.S. and Latin America or the Caribbean, as well as some U.S. transcontinental flights. United Polaris is the airline's business class product on long-haul international flights.
Tipping in airport lounges is never expected
In other words, it's not like dining in a restaurant in the United States, where you're a jerk if you (knowingly) don't tip, as servers aren't even being paid minimum wage before tips.
Polaris is an overall better product. I fly both, but I've always felt more comfortable in United Polaris than Delta One. Also, the Polaris lounges are a way better product. The ground experience is far better on united (shorter lines, Polaris lounge, etc.)
Yes! All food and drinks in the Polaris lounge are complimentary. In general, you'll find much more restaurant-quality type meals and a full premium bar service in the Polaris lounge, whereas the United Club only has snacks and well liquors.
Yes, all drinks are complimentary inside the United Polaris lounge.
United Polaris Lounge access is available to: Those traveling same day on a United Polaris ticket, either on departure, at a connecting airport, or on arrival; no guests are allowed.
There are standard run-of-the-mill membership lounges — dubbed the United Club and Admirals Club, respectively — and then there are exclusive spaces, respectively called the Polaris Lounge and Flagship Lounge, which are reserved for business-class passengers.
Whether you're flying to Europe, deep into South America, or over to Australia and Asia, United Polaris has become a mainstay and one of the easiest ways to score a lie-flat seat if you're cashing in points and miles. Fortunately, they're darn comfortable and good-looking, too.
How do I access Polaris lounge?
Unlike all the different ways to access United Club lounges, access to Polaris lounges is more restrictive. You can visit a Polaris lounge only if you are: Flying United Polaris business class on a long-haul international flight. Flying international business or first class on a Star Alliance partner airline.
...
Just book one of the following aircraft types that are 100% configured with new Polaris business class seats:
- 777-300ER.
- 767-300ER.
- 787-8 Dreamliner.
- 787-10 Dreamliner.
Access a 24-hour lounge
Whether you have access through your elite status or your credit card, airport lounges can be an overnight traveler's best friend. This is especially true once you factor in the cost (and quality) of food in addition to lodging expenses.
Smart-casual is a common policy for airport lounges and it's not particularly restrictive. Such regulations prohibit lounge customers from wearing short clothing, offensive slogans, pajamas and fancy dress, to name but a few items.
Class of Travel
Those traveling in First Class on United Airlines can enjoy United Clubs, provided that they're not traveling solely within the United States. First Class passengers can also enjoy United Clubs with a guest of their choice, as long as the guest is on a departing Star Alliance flight.
This week The Points Guy released its annual ranking of the best domestic airlines. The report scored the major U.S. airlines from January 2021 to December 2021 based on costs and reach, customer loyalty, reliability, and customer experience. Delta topped the list for the fourth year in a row.
| Airline (2021 rank) | Total score (out of 100)* | Lowest-performing areas |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Delta (1) | 70.43 | Affordability |
| 2. Southwest (2) | 60.95 | Timeliness, cancellations |
| 3. United (3) | 60.54 | Affordability, cancellations |
| 4. American (5) | 58.49 | Baggage, affordability |
Which airline has the widest first class seats? The widest first class seats are Cathay Pacific first class and Singapore Airlines 777-300ER first class seats. Cathay Pacific is 36 inches wide, while Singapore Airlines 777-300ER first class seats are 35 inches wide.
Blankets. Business and first-class flights offer comfort items like blankets during the flight. You must leave them on board when you're leaving the plane as they can be reused.
These complimentary amenities include: Personalized travel assistance. Wi-Fi. Beverages including select beer, wine and spirits.
Can I pay to upgrade to first class on United?
If you have United MileagePlus frequent flyer miles, you can purchase an upgrade-eligible ticket and use miles and co-pay to secure a business or first class ticket instantly if seats are available.
United Premium PlusSM customers are eligible for discounted United Club access through a trip pass purchased at booking or before travel, or a discounted one-time pass purchased on the day of travel at the United Club location.
Elite status
United Premier Gold (and higher) members have access to the carrier's lounges when traveling internationally on any Star Alliance carrier, regardless of their class of service. They can also bring along one guest departing on a Star Alliance carrier from the same airport.
| Benefit | Premier Silver |
|---|---|
| 1 free drink and 1 snack in Economy footnote12 | Not available |
| Extra miles per dollar on United®, United Express® and select partner airlines footnote1 | 7X fare footnote6 |
| No blackout dates for award flights on United and United Express | |
| Better award availability in Economy |
Access is typically available whether you pay for your eligible fare with cash or rewards. Polaris passengers can access Polaris lounges at departure, on connections, and upon arrival.
Airport lounges are no longer just for first and business class travellers. That's right, nowadays even if you are flying economy and have absolutely no airline loyalty, you can pay to enter a new style of pay-per-use lounges.
When you access a lounge based on a paid lounge membership you can certainly use it on arrival — you don't even need to be flying same day, let alone on a given airline, if you're accessing it based on a US airline club membership.
A one-time pass admits one person, with no guests, to a United Club location. Children under 2 years old may accompany someone accessing a United Club location with a one-time pass.
United Clubs: Airport Lounges for Comfortable Travel
For many travelers, a United Club one-time pass is well worth its cost, especially if you spend a great deal of time in airports waiting to get from one destination to the next.
Lufthansa/Star Alliance Elite Status
If you hold Lufthansa Senator status or Star Alliance Gold status and above, you can access every Lufthansa partner lounge, except for the United Polaris lounge in San Francisco (SFO).
How do I know if my United flight is Polaris?
The easiest way to see if your flight will offer the true Polaris seats is by checking the seat map. Polaris cabins will always have either have a 1-2-1 or 1-1-1 configuration. United's older configurations always had two seats on the sides.
First-class passengers might have a seat that turns into a bed or even their own private apartment. Business-class might offer more legroom but doesn't offer a private space. The food and drink in business class are typically at a restaurant level.
Qatar Airways offers a brilliant Business Class service, which includes a set of 100% cotton pyjamas by luxury British brand, The White Company.
Lounge access? United Airlines Silver members do not get lounge access into United Clubs. To get access, you would need Star Alliance Gold status with United and have a same-day boarding pass for travel on an international flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline.
Premier Access® lets you enjoy the convenience of dedicated airport check-in lines, exclusive security lanes at select airports and priority boarding, so you can get to the gate and your seat sooner. Prices, starting at $15, are segment-based and subject to change. Premier Access is subject to availability.
Fly on a first class or business class ticket
You can access Admirals Club lounges if you are flying first or business class on an international itinerary between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Mexico, and New Zealand.
American Airlines: Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft. Delta Air Lines: Airbus A330 and A350 and Boeing 767 aircraft. United Airlines: Boeing 767, 777 and 787 aircraft.
Boeing 757, 767-300 and 777 aircraft eventually joined its Hawaii service.
The carrier re-opened its Polaris Lounge at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Wednesday, a United spokesperson told TPG. This 12,000-square-foot outpost originally opened in 2019, but closed shortly thereafter at the outset of the pandemic, along with United's other Polaris Lounges.
In most airport lounges, you're allowed to stay for 2-3 hours before departure or after landing. Some also offer extended stays for upwards of 5 hours. That said, these time limits are rarely enforced.
Can I stay overnight in airport terminals?
(And yes, sleeping overnight in airports is legal.)
Ask an airport attendant if there's somewhere to grab sleeping essentials. At some airports, there will be places where you can pick up a blanket and pillow if you're stuck there overnight. This is especially true if your flight has been cancelled or delayed due to weather. Sometimes there are even cots available!
Tipping in airport lounges is never expected
In other words, it's not like dining in a restaurant in the United States, where you're a jerk if you (knowingly) don't tip, as servers aren't even being paid minimum wage before tips.
9 Things You Should NEVER Wear to the Airport | Travel Outfit Tips
What do lounges offer? Lounges are often filled with complimentary amenities such as premium food and snacks, fully stocked bars, modern shower facilities, fast WiFi, plentiful power outlets and secure business centers.
While any United passenger with a valid same-day boarding pass can buy a one-time pass for United Club lounges (or a United Club membership), not just anyone can get into the coveted Polaris lounge. There are no United Polaris lounge day passes.
United's Lounge Program
Internationally, Polaris/business class passengers, as well as MileagePlus Premier Gold, Platinum, 1K, and Global Services (Star Alliance Gold) members departing on a Star Alliance carrier, have access to eligible Star Alliance partner operated lounges.
Good news for travelers booked in United Airlines' domestic first-class: The airline is significantly expanding the number of flights that feature hot meals. Starting June 1, the Chicago-based carrier will cater hot meals on all mainline flights more than 800 miles, a spokesperson confirmed to TPG.
The easiest way to see if your flight will offer the true Polaris seats is by checking the seat map. Polaris cabins will always have either have a 1-2-1 or 1-1-1 configuration. United's older configurations always had two seats on the sides.
There are standard run-of-the-mill membership lounges — dubbed the United Club and Admirals Club, respectively — and then there are exclusive spaces, respectively called the Polaris Lounge and Flagship Lounge, which are reserved for business-class passengers.
What is Polaris lounge?
Polaris Lounges are United's exclusive airport hideaways reserved for business-class flyers traveling on long-haul flights. They feature a la carte dining, a premium liquor selection, marble-clad shower suites and additional bespoke amenities, like nap rooms and phone booths.
Polaris customers will once again receive a pre-meal snack and co*cktail along with table linen service. That will be followed by a plated entrée and dessert. The full-service meal will replace United's pandemic Polaris service in which meals are served packaged or covered, and all at once.
Rules and regulations of United Polaris lounges
Guests are not allowed in the lounges unless you are flying long-haul international flights on a Star Alliance member airline. One guest is allowed in that case. Non-service animals must remain in a kennel while in the lounges.
Whether you're flying to Europe, deep into South America, or over to Australia and Asia, United Polaris has become a mainstay and one of the easiest ways to score a lie-flat seat if you're cashing in points and miles. Fortunately, they're darn comfortable and good-looking, too.
Unlike all the different ways to access United Club lounges, access to Polaris lounges is more restrictive. You can visit a Polaris lounge only if you are: Flying United Polaris business class on a long-haul international flight. Flying international business or first class on a Star Alliance partner airline.
Yes, all drinks are complimentary inside the United Polaris lounge.
Access is typically available whether you pay for your eligible fare with cash or rewards. Polaris passengers can access Polaris lounges at departure, on connections, and upon arrival.
Club Rules And Code Of Conduct
Furthermore, no sleeping or smoking is allowed in any of the United Clubs.
These complimentary amenities include: Personalized travel assistance. Wi-Fi. Beverages including select beer, wine and spirits.
United Premium PlusSM customers are eligible for discounted United Club access through a trip pass purchased at booking or before travel, or a discounted one-time pass purchased on the day of travel at the United Club location.
Can I give my United Club one-time pass to a friend?
A one-time pass admits one person, with no guests, to a United Club location. Exception: children under 2 years of age may accompany someone accessing a United Club location with a one-time pass.
All United Polaris and United Club lounges have reopened with the exception Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — plans are in place to reopen this location in the near future.
If you have United MileagePlus frequent flyer miles, you can purchase an upgrade-eligible ticket and use miles and co-pay to secure a business or first class ticket instantly if seats are available.
As part of the "departure-to-landing experience for intercontinental travelers," this United Polaris product includes a new business class seat on most aircraft, improved in-flight bedding, pajamas on ultra-long flights, premium in-flight dining and a new network of premium lounges.
