I spent the night at the Marriott Newark Airport (which I’ve reviewed before, so I won’t be reviewing it this time around), and early the next morning I headed to Newark Airport bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (or something like that) for my daytime United Polaris flight to London Heathrow, on their very intriguing low density 767-300.
Continue reading: Review: United 767 Polaris Business Class
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Odd meal set-up is right. Makes no sense. Great to see the spiffed up 767. No middle seat in Premium Econ should be law.
I sort of get the meal. It leans more to the brunch category. And desert is not unheard of with brunch. I mean, I agree that perhaps they could have simply had the Sundaes available for a mid flight treat. But then you have people sleeping. Given the route and time and length of the fight it's really a no win situation in pleasing everyone.
The 767 is one of my favorite planes- and especially when I'm flying economy as there's only one middle seat per row. It also has a cozier feel given the narrower cabin.
I wonder why they're flying this to LHR given the high demand. Wouldn't it make sense to have fewer flights with larger aircraft?
Also Lucky, the casualty of your being such a great blogger is that you're now pretty well known- both by name and by face. So (through absolutely no fault of your own) it's difficult to fly under the radar (no pun intended). Still, admire your efforts to be as neutral and independent as possible under the circumstances.
I have taken this flight a couple of times in the last 6 months. Personally, I liked the schedule - I live in London and usually in the US for work just 2-3 days at a time, so no time to adjust the sleep cycle. This flight allows me a full night's sleep at an airport hotel, a quiet airport experience, then I board this flight, land in London and go home to sleep.
@at LHR is usually a premium + frequency battlefield. AA + BA run a shuttle service from JFK.
The food Was looking good until I saw that mini disintegrated
dry rubber tire they call steak
I suppose the upside is if United has a blow out on one of their tires you’ll have a back up
Also:
"and lobster mac & cheese (the last one wasn’t listed on the menu)"
It is, but it's listed in the Anytime A La Carte section section. I guess not many people ordered it in-between meals...
Maybe they could try serving the sundaes and other dessert with the arrival meals? If they can keep it frozen that long...
Daytime eastbound TATLs are the best flights. Be productive the whole flight. Land, go to sleep, and be immediately on a regular European time schedule.
I will go out of my way to take them. AA90 (ORD-LHR, daytime) is my favorite flight.
The economy cabin is set up with economy plus seats on the window side and regular economy in the center. Since the tow sets of seats have different pitches, I'm curious about the row numbering in the economy cabin works as you head to the rear of the plane.
The whole flight looks wonderful. I wish Delta would do something similar with their 767s. Those planes are simply awful.
Your 767-300 did not have air nozzles because it is one of the 3 763s acquired from HA, which did not have air nozzles installed. The ones UA has always owned do have air nozzles at the seat.
@ Vijay
Yes, I understand that. But using larger aircraft (also with more premium heavy configurations) would still provide the required seat capacity but without having to have so many/ so frequent flights.
Lucky, I'm glad to see that you're finally acknowledging the improvements United is making in regards to both the hard and soft products. In previous reviews/blogs, you've continued to comment how Delta is just better, but those of us who fly United regularly know that this isn't the case.
Not saying United is perfect, nor that they can compete with many of the overseas carriers, but the previous comments seemed to be quite dated, based upon prior bias. I get that perception is reality and United still has a lot to do to win over customers who witnessed 10+ years of poor performance. However, I'm glad to see you're finally showing a review which accurately details the United product in late 2019, as opposed to what seems to reflect the reality of 5 years ago.
Daytime eastbound TATLs are the best. By loads. Even on a lie flat bed 3.5hrs of sleep on a red eye + adjusting to the time zone means you are broken for two days when you get to the UK versus landing, getting yourself to the hotel and have a proper sleep and you wake up in the morning on top form
No one should be broken for two days!
Day 1: Land, do some sort of outside activity to adjust to daylight patterns, take nap no longer than 2 hours at some point, go to bed at reasonable evening hour in new time zone
Day 2: Mainly good to go!
Not sure why US airlines always have a breakfast, even in business class, that seems to have at least 4oz of sugar in it. I mean, seriously, look at this. Any non American will suffer a sugar shock over this.
Seems strange that they advertise the arrivals lounge on the menu when it will not be open on arrival
Sonya (sp?) is the BEST. She's maybe a little bit over the top, but she's so fun that it makes the whole rest of the time in the lounge feel awesome.
Its nice and all to see them refresh old planes but getting new planes (788) would be much better with all the associated benefits.
Looks like a nice product, especially for a 767. Good review! Eager to see what you think about daytime eastbound TATL flights.
Bravo UA for taking an old aircraft and giving it new life! Delta, why can’t you do the same with your 767-300’s?
Looks like a good flight with UA on the 767-300. After the 757, it's one of my favorites. I've not yet has the ability to take a day time flight, but would like too as it looks like a really cool way to cross the Atlantic, and land at bed time.
I was on this flight in Economy last week. If, like me, you can't sleep much on planes (even in Biz), the daytime flights to Europe are the best way to beat jetlag and exhaustion. They are my new secret weapon. Just make sure to begin adjusting to the time difference before leaving by waking up a few hours early for a few days before the flight.
I enjoyed this review, and appreciate your transparency in letting us know that they knew you were a blogger. Not all bloggers would acknowledge that.
I too love the daytime eastbound TA flights. An additional benefit is that you know your hotel will be ready for you--as opposed to arriving at 0800.
All but three of the 767-300s in United’s fleet have individual air nozzles. This one, along with N684UA and N685UA are former Hawaiian Airlines aircraft and Hawaiian’s version did not include air nozzles. The rest have air nozzles galore (up to 3 per seat in business class).
Sonya is the sweetest! We were delayed multiple times and overnight before our flight to HKG (thanks United ) but she was the best part of the 4 different times we were in the Polaris lounge!
Many of these flights break the rules & save the breakfast ice cream for the dinner service. I love that. I refuse to go TATL if I can’t get a morning departure. It has saved me so much wear & tear on my body. I rarely feel jet lagged as a result.
Lucky, please do not forget to also take pictures of the "snack offering" in the galley next time, even if you're not going to take some. I guess it's helpful for your readers to cover the whole offer during the flight! Thanks! 🙂
RE: Air Vents
I flew a 767-300 UA LHR-EWR (Heavy J) yesterday (seat 12A) - there were definitely individual air vents (2 in fact) on the ceiling above the seats.
United has improved a lot lately. Too bad they don’t cater vegan/vegetarian meals by default (has to be specially requested beforehand ). Also it would be wonderful if they had postcards like Lufthansa and aviation page in Hemisphere Magazine.
Nuts and sundaes during breakfast? As one mentioned above, it certainly could be construed as brunch, though not called it as such. But regardless—what difference does it make? Some people love snacks like warm mixed nuts, regardless the time of day. Same would go for sundaes... What I’m trying to say is after years of airlines “cheaping out” when it comes to inflight amenities, any increase in them should be applauded.
United is becoming the best US airline and truly a competitive global airline. I'm loving United lately, whilst avoiding AA more and more.....
@David I agree! dont understand what the huge deal is, Lucky is a little too spoiled sometimes haha. dont want it, dont eat it!
Totally get the meal options. Many people like to switch straight on to destination time when travelling. A departure at 08:30 EST is 13:30 UK time. I'd prefer a brunch option than just breakfast options.
@Karim J - I was thinking the same thing... it's like, "Make sure you visit our arrivals lounge!*" "* - Actually, don't, because you can't..." And I would think this menu is developed specifically for the daytime flight, so why have the info on there?
I'll take nuts and sundaes any day over the horrid Indian food UA keeps trying to serve in domestic F. I've learned to tell the FAs I want the other option before I sit down to make sure I get it before they run out of it (which they inevitably do). I don't know what milennial/hipster dimwit in Chicago thought serving a cuisine with limited appeal was a good idea, but they should probably be hauling bags at ORD instead.
Great review of the new UA hard and soft products on the 767-300.
The breakfast-time nuts and sundaes are a nod to people whose bodies are still on a European time zone, such as travelers from the UK who were in the U.S. for a short business trip. Reminds me of a watered-down version of the Qatar Airways and Etihad philosophy of dining whenever on whatever, since so many travelers are set to different time zones and will be hungry for different things at different times (as you observed for yourself by the cross-section of passengers eating, watching TV, working or sleeping). United should actually offer a non-breakfast item during the first meal service on this flight as well!
I am relatively new to this website, and am impressed by the thoroughness and objectivity of the reports.
Im sorry to say the food looks disgusting to me, overcooked and pre -prepared at some assembly line..Sundaes nuts and coffee .....really.
The cabins are uninspiring and cold...nothing to see here in any way ..United Non-Rev airlines will never set the business world on fire..but thanks for the review Ben.
You're absolutely right about Sonya, she is amazing !!!
Karen is super great too in the evenings !
What side is the large lavatory door behind business class? Trying to decide on a seat. Is it on the A side or the L side?