United Airlines revealed its new Polaris and Polaris Studio products yesterday during a media event in Brooklyn that I attended. Here is a first-hand look and my observations on the new suites and other new seats on Future 787-9.
After the prepared remarks of the CEO Scott Kirby, media members were invited to preview the new seats … from the economy class to Polaris Studio. I described the details of the new seats yesterday, but there is often a disconnection between fantasy photos and the product itself.
While 90 minutes may not have been enough time to completely test these new seats, I was greatly impressed by the comfort of the seat and the finishes. The faux marble table and the use of suede around the seat in Polaris is a very nice touch which seems exceptional in person (as long as it ages).
The studio suite will be a little tight with someone in the pouf, but it is certainly a product and I do not share others that the proximity of the toilets and the kitchen will be a problem (I already choose partition seats when I fly to Polaris and that was not a problem for me).
To prevent this from becoming the new “employee class”, I think that United should offer passengers in the status of a bump to these seats on the day of travel if there are still income passengers on the business class waiting list. The policy and prices around Polaris Studio were certainly discussed internally, but not revealed … EVP Andrew Nocella was tight on this subject.
The new central seats of Polaris-Herringbone are perfect for couples traveling together: a divider of intimacy between the seats can be lowered, creating a more spacious shared space:
New digital seats and mood lighting settings are a great improvement compared to current wheel style controls.
Nocella has received many questions about the reasons why the existing fleet would be modernized, but I tend to agree that it is a judicious use of tighteuces and it is not a huge problem that there will be no more coherence of the fleet … You must start somewhere when you improve the out -of -service seats for seats for seats which are already comfortable.
(Lateral note: Nocella said that United is always undecided on the A350 command, but if it takes it, it will include these new consequences)
The moment of this, as American Airlines also launches his new flagship suites, is no coincidence and that the big monitors of the Polaris studio recall that AA should really have to think about its new premium suites on board (who have inexplicably small monitors)
The new premium Economy seats (What United Class Premium Plus) looks great too, although I am not sure that the Violette Vieillera color well:
No innovation in economy class seats, but new larger monitors are beautiful:
The new hooded pajamas coming to Polaris Studio looks good and the new headphones will be a nice upgrade:
I think my most interesting conversations were with the Food and Beverage team from United, which will be the subject of a future position. I like to be transparent as a blogger and I will also “remove the curtains” and share more details on the logistics of the event.
CONCLUSION
In short, the new long-awaited polaris seat will be a real upgrade, not so much for the doors (which I always consider as Gimmicky) but for finishes and technology on board (larger monitors, starlink Wi-Fi and wireless load). The details of the seats have been carefully taken into account and not only beautiful, but are very comfortable and practical.
The new seats will make its debut in San Francisco (SFO), first on the roads to Singapore (SIN) and London (LHR) and later developed to other roads across the network.
What do you think of new seats 787-9 on United?
