We traveled United Polaris (Long-Haul Business) from Newark to London. Flying long-haul business is more than just the actual flight and this review will tackle the airport experience and flight.
Booking Polaris
For this trip we just used cash because we had significant airline flight credits to spend. One of the benefits of travel in the post-covid world is airlines give credits when you cancel a flight which makes booking far less risky than in the old days.
Checking In
Checking in at Newark was a breeze being able to use the separate floor priority desks. We were checked in and through security within minutes. While we were able to use the priority lane as Polaris customers, TSA Pre-check was faster.
Polaris Lounge
This is where the United Polaris experience truly shines as the Polaris Lounge is currently the most premier business class lounge in the United States. United has very strict entry requirements consisting of only Polaris passengers or other Star Alliance Long-Haul business class passengers. Status (with very few exceptions for the invite only levels) and credit cards will not gain you entry.
Inside the lounge there are seating areas, relaxing chairs and office stations.
What differentiates it most from the standard airline lounge are the food and beverage options. Instead of the liquid gasoline drinks served in most US airline lounges, top shelf drinks are readily available. For us fellow non-drinkers like Matt and I, coffee and soft drinks are also available. One ding I do have is a premier lounge should have barista made coffee and not the crappy machines. In Europe many airline lounges have barista made coffee and it makes a huge difference.
The Polaris Lounge has two options for food. First is the buffet, which is enough on itself as it is more than your typical lounge fair of stale cheese and rock-hard bread. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
However, the crown jewel of the lounge is the dining room where cooked to order al la carte items are available and were quite enjoyable. I would not say good restaurant quality, but certainly mediocre restaurant quality!
The other perk I love about the lounge is the shower. I love showering (and being naked) in an airport. It is quite liberating lol. It is also a nice thing to do after a long layover before a 7-hour flight.
On the Plane
The Polaris seats are quite comfortable pods that turn into lie-flat seats. The tv monitor is quite large with tons of movie/tv options. The amenity kit has the typical business class items like lotions, lip palm and a dental kit. The bedding is another area United shines as the Saks Fifth Avenue bedding and pillows are quite comfortable. Everything was great…. until we ate.
Look, I am not expecting a Singapore Airlines, or an Emirates dining experience. Heck, I would be fine with even mediocrity. What Matt and I had was not even edible. I took one piece of broccoli and spit it out. This was not even mediocre food for economy class. For several thousands of dollars (remember a lot of flight credits) this was truly unacceptable
Arrivals Lounge
United as an Arrivals Lounge for only Polaris passengers in London Heathrow. It has showers and some lite bites which are lovely after a long flight.
Overall
United Polaris excels in the ground experience. In fact, based on my experience it outshines Delta and American Airlines in the ground game…however things deteriorate in the air. All three airlines have similar seats, amenity kits and even bedding (although I would say United has the best bedding). Yet, the food on the plane was unacceptable. Eat in the Polaris Lounge and skip the flight meal and you will have a wonderful experience.
4/5 Stars
Out And Abroad 