United 777 Polaris
This is a review of United Airlines’ new Polaris business class seat products on board its Boeing 777-300ER travelling from San Francisco to Hong Kong – a new seat product that the airline first. Dec 04, 2019 I was extremely excited to fly in United’s Polaris cabin on the Boeing 777. Photo: United Airlines Spacious setting. I will share my thoughts on both the outward and return journeys. Both legs were conducted by a United Airlines Boeing 777-222(ER). However, the designs on the seats that I had were slightly different from each other. I was extremely excited to fly in United’s Polaris cabin on the Boeing 777. Photo: United Airlines Spacious setting. I will share my thoughts on both the outward and return journeys. Both legs were conducted by a United Airlines Boeing 777-222(ER). However, the designs on the seats that I had were slightly different from each other.
These 777-200 widebody planes have been updated to United’s latest “Polaris” configuration. They offer 3 cabins — economy class with 202 seats; a 24 seat premium economy class branded “Premium Plus”; and 50 seats in Polaris Business class.
WiFi
WiFi on the United 777s is provided by Panasonic. Speeds are pretty good — better than the old air-to-ground systems, but not quite fast enough to stream video. The Panasonic coverage area is great — the WiFi works over almost the entire globe.
United offers several WiFi plans on most planes, ranging from hourly rates to a single price for the whole flight. If you fly United a lot, you can also purchase monthly subscriptions. For $49 you get unlimited WiFi for travel within North and Central America; for $69 you get it for travel globally.
In-Flight Entertainment
These planes have seat back video units at every seat providing hundreds of hours of on-demand entertainment. There are movies, TV shows, games, and audio content, as well as information about your flight. As an extra perk that self-proclaimed aviation geeks love, there is even a channel where you can listen to live communication between the pilots and air traffic control.
All in-flight entertainment on United is free.
Power & USB
Every seat on this 777-200 has both a power port and USB port.
Economy Class
There are 202 economy class seats on these 777-200s arranged in a 3x4x3 configuration. The seats are 17 inches wide with 31 inches of pitch. They have 3 inches of recline. Comfort-wise, these seats are nothing to write to home about. They follow an industry-wide trend where airlines use slimmer, narrower seats to squeeze more onto each plane. Like a lot of airlines, United hopes to throw enough modern amenities at you to compensate for the lack of space. To that end, these seats have seatback screens, power, and USB ports.
Within the economy cabin, there are 46 seats with 3 inches of extra legroom which United brands “Economy Plus”. These are otherwise the same seat as you’d get in regular economy. They can be reserved after your purchase for an extra fee or for free if you are a MileagePlus Gold member or higher. (If you’re a silver member, they are free if available at time of check-in). One thing to note, if you are flying on a “Basic Economy” ticket you will not be able to purchase an Economy Plus seat.
On the long haul international flights that this plane is typically used for, economy class travelers get full service that includes a 3 course meal with a salad, artisan bread, a main course, and dessert, in addition to a mid-flight snack. The beer and wine are complimentary; liquor is available for a charge. During the COVID pandemic, however, food and beverage service has been drastically reduced. Less food is serviced and most of what’s offered is pre-packaged.
Premium Plus
United 777 Polaris Seat Map
United’s new Premium Plus cabin offers great value for those who want an elevated experience without paying hefty business classes prices. According to Forbes, “Premium Plus is a very significant upgrade, similar to what you would get flying first class on most domestic flights, and akin to what international business class seating was in the days before lay flat seats.” Premium Plus seats, in a sleek purple and black, are large leather recliners that are 18.5 inches wide with 38 inches of pitches and 6 inches of recline. The seats have leg rests that extend out and make sleeping easier. They are arranged in a 2x4x2 configuration. You get way more storage than you would get in economy class. Under the extra wide armrests are storage compartments large enough to store a book or a tablet. Large seatback pockets provide even more storage space. Each seat has a power port and USB port and a 13 inch HD touchscreen monitor. The tray tables are larger and sturdier than what you would find in economy, making it easier to work on a laptop if you need to.
Premium Plus travelers are given a Saks Fifth Avenue pillow and comforter as well as an amenity kit. You’ll also get a printed menu for meal choices and food is plated on china, not plastic, although the food itself is closer to economy than business class. Besides the meal service, snacks are available on-demand and all drinks, including alcoholic ones are complementary.
Polaris Business Class
United 777 Polaris Review
It’s with the Polaris Business Class cabin that this version of the 777-200 shines the most. United has a lot of different business class seats across its fleet, but ThePointsGuy ranks this one the best. The seats are arranged in a 1x2x1 configuration so every seat has aisle access. If you’re traveling alone, the single seats by the windows provide lots of privacy. If you’re traveling with someone, the middle section in odd number rows is ideal, as in the even number rows the seats angle away from each other. The are 8 rows of seats at the front of the plane and then another 4 rows in a “mini” business class cabin behind those. (Galleys and lavatories separate the two sections).
The seats are 22 inches wide and can be converted into a 78″ fully flat bed. Each seat pod is almost fully enclosed with dividing walls, although they are not fully enclosed because the area where you enter the pod is open. For maximum privacy, try to select a window seat in an odd row as those seats butt up against the windows, with quite a bit of distance between them and the aisle.
Plenty of storage space comes with your Polaris seat. There are 2 different enclosed storage areas, plus a side countertop that you can use for a laptop or books. There are buttons to control the seat and a remote control for the large HD video screen. There is also a power and USB port.
Bedding is provided by Saks Fifth Avenue — a pillow, a duvet, a day blanket. The United bedding has gotten rave reviews by bloggers. You’ll also get a Star Wars themed amenity kit with socks, ear plugs, an eye mask, a dental kit and some skin products from Sunday Riley. A nice tip from ThePointsGuy: there is a “secret menu” of amenities that you don’t get automatically, you have to ask for them. These include slippers, a mattress pad, a memory foam pillow, and pajamas for flights longer than 12 hours.
United is proud of it’s “chef-designed multi-course inflight dining experience” offered in Polaris, designed in collaboration with The Trotter Project. You’ll get a choice of entrees on printed menus and then a multi-course meal with dessert. Snacks are also available on demand throughout the flight. On longer flights, a second meal is served.
United 777 Polaris Business
(Note, food service during the COVID pandemic has been limited).
COVID Cleaning
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Speaking of COVID, United has implemented its “CleanPlus” program to keep travelers safe while flying. All passengers over the age of two are required to wear masks, except when eating and drinking. This includes in the airport before departure and after arrival. The 777s have hospital-grade HEPA air filtration systems that refresh the air every 2 to 4 minutes. In addition, United has partnered with Clorox to develop a cleaning protocol to disinfect all high touch surfaces between flights.