It’s always nice to know what to expect when you’re flying business class on a long haul flight. Recently I’ve written guides to American Flagship Business and Delta One Suites. United’s premium business class is known as Polaris, and in this post I’ll recap what experience you can expect on each plane.
I’ve gotta say, this is an area where United excels, thanks to the consistent long haul business class experience it offers.
In this post:
What is United’s Polaris business class?
Polaris is how United markets business class on its international, long haul flights. While there is one primary Polaris business class seat, it’s worth noting that Polaris is also about the overall experience in terms of catering, access to United Polaris Lounges, etc.
In other words, you can be flying in a Polaris business class seat without actually having “the” Polaris business class experience (like when some long haul planes are operated on domestic flights).
United’s purpose-built Polaris business class seat is the Safran Optima seat, and it was introduced in late 2016. It offers direct aisle access from every seat, and is in a 1-1-1 or 1-2-1 configuration, depending on the aircraft.
It’s a somewhat staggered configuration, which is to say that the footwell for one seat is to the side of the seat in front. In every other row seats face fully forward, while in the other rows, seats are angled slightly toward the aisle.
Which planes have United Polaris business class seats?
What United does better than both American and Delta is consistency when it comes to its long haul business class. When you board a long haul United flight, you know with near certainty what product you’re going to get. United has the same Polaris business class seats installed on a vast majority of its long haul aircraft, including on:
- All Boeing 767-300ERs and 767-400ERs
- All Boeing 787-8s, 787-9s, and 787-10s
- All Boeing 777-300ERs and most Boeing 777-200ERs
This level of consistency is something you won’t find at American or Delta, and for that matter, it’s something you won’t find on many airlines globally. Basically there are two exceptions where you might not get the Polaris seat when you may expect it.
United 757-200s don’t have Polaris seats
United has a fleet of 40 Boeing 757-200s. United flies these in a variety of markets, including premium transcontinental routes and also some longer routes, like across the Atlantic. These planes have 16 business class seats that are fully flat, in a 2-2 configuration. This is the Collins Aerospace Diamond seat, which you’ll find on quite a few airlines.
These planes will eventually be replaced by Airbus A321XLRs, as United has 50 of these on orders. These planes are expected to feature an all-new Polaris business class. As you’d expect, United has no plans to reconfigure its 757s.
Select United 777-200s don’t have Polaris seats
United has a massive fleet of 96 Boeing 777s. Of those aircraft, 19 are 777-200s, 55 are 777-200ERs, and 22 are 777-300ERs. You’ll find Polaris business class seats on 51 777-200ERs and all 777-300ERs.
Meanwhile all the 777-200s and four of the 777-200ERs have a very different business class product, which is in a super tight 2-4-2 configuration.
But here’s the good news — these are high density jets that United uses almost exclusively for domestic and short haul international flights.
So you might end up on these planes if you’re flying within the United States on a 777, but you’re never going to find yourself on one of these aircraft if flying long haul to Asia, Europe, South America, etc. So while it’s worth being aware of that distinction, I very much appreciate the level of consistency that United offers.
What about United’s new Polaris business class seats?
While United currently has great consistency with its Polaris business class, that won’t be the case for long.
For one, in early 2026, United is introducing a new Polaris business class. The airline is introducing this on new ultra-premium Boeing 787-9s, which will feature 64 business class seats, with a new product standard known as United Elevate.
The new business class is based on the Adient Ascent platform, the same business class you’ll find on American, Hawaiian, etc. I’d consider this to be among the five best business class seats out there.
United will also have the Polaris Studio product, which is a front row business class plus experience, with a differentiated soft product.
On top of that, United will soon start taking delivery of Airbus A321XLRs, which are the new longest range narrow body jets out there. These planes will also feature different business class seats, given the unique space constraints of narrow body aircraft.
Bottom line
Nowadays so many airlines struggle with consistency when it comes to passenger experience, especially in business class. I get how that happens, given the constant delays with aircraft deliveries plus supply chain issues, which has made fleet planning difficult.
However, I think United deserves credit for basically being in a league of its own when it comes to fleet consistency. United Polaris business class might not be the best or flashiest business class seat out there, but at least you always know exactly what you’re going to get, and there’s something to be said for that.
If you’re flying a long haul flight in United Polaris, there’s only one type of seat you’re going to get, unless you’re flying a 757.
What do you make of the rollout of United Polaris business class seats?
Disagree that UA Polaris 777 is 2-2-2. It is same 2-4-2 as the older 2-4-2. Just look at the seat map, and push back the aisle seats 1/2 seat back and angle them to allow aisle access for the window seat. All that was lost was an extra half row of space in the last row. Foot area got narrower with the angle of the seat.
Now the new Polaris is a true 1-2-1 same as AA.
Randall, they are 2-2-2. Check AeroLOPA.
Correct - a typo here - yes 2-4-2.
The new Polaris is really a game changer for UA in my view. Finally gives UA a competitive J seat.
Thanks Rand for this clarification.
Correction again - the typo is it should say: Disagree that UA Polaris 777 is "1-2-1." (not 2-2-2)
Quoting Ben above.
Old Polaris is 2-4-2 with pushed back aisle seats.
New Polaris is true 1-2-1 .
Have flown the 777 Polaris product many times as recently as last week. Seat is fine. Food is just terrible (except for the sundae). Delta One food so much better, along with service.
Excellent summary. United did an amazing job of outfitting its entire wide body int'l fleet over six years during Covid in time for the boom in demand for premium int'l travel.
And UA is well positioned to continue its success with 28 789s equipped with its new Polaris Suite/Studio product scheduled to arrive in the next 13 months. Here are the fleets and order books for the Big Three.
UA: 1,060 aircraft, (229 WB), 186...
Excellent summary. United did an amazing job of outfitting its entire wide body int'l fleet over six years during Covid in time for the boom in demand for premium int'l travel.
And UA is well positioned to continue its success with 28 789s equipped with its new Polaris Suite/Studio product scheduled to arrive in the next 13 months. Here are the fleets and order books for the Big Three.
UA: 1,060 aircraft, (229 WB), 186 WB/482 NB on order (15.5 average fleet age)
DA: 992 aircraft, (177 WB), 26 WB/237 NB on order (14.9 average fleet age)
AA: 1,002 aircraft, (133 WB), 22 WB/278 NB on order (14.1 average fleet age)
and has made $1 billion less in profits than DL in the first 3 quarters of 2025.
the statement below is accurate
"You're a Nasty little bugger, "rebel". Let's compare IQs, buster."
Not just IQs but rebel is overloaded with arrogance and pride - IN A COMPANY.
He responds with the emotion that most people reserve for an insult of their mother.
Not just IQs but Tim Dunn is overloaded with arrogance and pride - IN A COMPANY.
He responds with the emotion that most people reserve for an insult of their mother.
Replacing rebel with Tim and statement still holds.
coming from someone that doesn't know the difference between 3-4-3 and 2-4-2, your opinion amounts to, well, what 1990 finds in seat pockets.
and rebel is the one that INCESSANTLY needs to tell us how great UA is.
I think he legitimately is "underdeveloped" and has to compensate with touting the accomplishments of his employer, no matter how much it is embellished.
Since 1/1/24 UA has $1.6B/$0.7B($0.9B) more in OCF/FCF(Capex) & now has $2B less in net debt than DL. Methinks the resident projection(ist) is also a bit defensive about their IQ. ;) Too funny.
Tim, the average person who is flying doesn’t care how profitable an airline is, especially in the short term. They care about the quality of the flights service and seat, as well as schedule convenience. I’m not saying one is better than the other, but profit isn’t a factor in consumer behavior.
the average person isn't moved by UA's paid internet fanbots that reflexively have to manipulate and ignore every data piece to find one where they can tout UA's supposed superiority, Maui.
Says the resident projection(ist) who felt the need to "weigh in" here. Even tT knows it's just a matter of time. ;)
At least Polaris/business class on United is relatively consistent these days (on the 767, 787, 777), exceptions being the 757 (2-2) and those ancient 772 (2-4-2, rear-facing).
Still, their planes so-often reek of urine!
I’m not kidding. Like, do they host ‘golden shower’ orgies in those lavatories before each flight? Sheesh. It’s a problem.
(The ‘pee tape’ is real.)
Not like INDIA AIRLINES. The seat cushions all smell pissy and poopy, in fact when I flew them last time there was a nasty deuce in the seatback pocket SO NASTY
By ‘deuce’ do you mean literal feces? Yikes. Wowza. Oof. Eww.
total falsehood
I was just on Air India and found or smelled no such thing.
I am sure I have the unpopular opinion that I like Polaris seats, especially when combined with United’s bedding. I sleep well in those seats.
Matt, "I am sure I have the unpopular opinion that I like Polaris seats, especially when combined with United’s bedding. I sleep well in those seats."
I think most of the critics (unlike Ben) have probably never been near a Polaris 'doorless' suite. The seat/bed, the pajamas, the bedding and especially the gel pillow are outstanding. The new Polaris Suites/Studios look like an upgrade, but are similar enough to be complementary. United's premium hard product...
Matt, "I am sure I have the unpopular opinion that I like Polaris seats, especially when combined with United’s bedding. I sleep well in those seats."
I think most of the critics (unlike Ben) have probably never been near a Polaris 'doorless' suite. The seat/bed, the pajamas, the bedding and especially the gel pillow are outstanding. The new Polaris Suites/Studios look like an upgrade, but are similar enough to be complementary. United's premium hard product will be in great shape especially with the new A321XLRs replacing the 757s. Hopefully, the food will keep improving like the wine and the F/As will get the deal they deserve sooner rather than later. Add Starlink wifi and it will just keep getting better and better.
Mattitude, not a bad opinion at all.
Matt,
your assessment is reasonable.
United has done a pretty good job of taking an unspectacular seat and adding the mattress pad and has a decent lounge. The overall Polaris PRODUCT is reasonably competitive even if the actual seat is not.
and rebel,
even w/ the mattress pad, Ben has not rated Polaris as one of the best products.
They have realized that they have to invest in an industry- comparable suite...
Matt,
your assessment is reasonable.
United has done a pretty good job of taking an unspectacular seat and adding the mattress pad and has a decent lounge. The overall Polaris PRODUCT is reasonably competitive even if the actual seat is not.
and rebel,
even w/ the mattress pad, Ben has not rated Polaris as one of the best products.
They have realized that they have to invest in an industry- comparable suite product but are playing catchup in that regard.
and as many elsewhere admit, UA will simply not invest in new seats on a large number of its aircraft because UA cannot get the ROI back because many of those 767s and 777s will be retired in the next 5 to 7 years - which significantly reduces the amount of growth that alot of UA fans think will happen.
TD says, "UA will simply not invest in new seats on a large number of its aircraft because UA cannot get the ROI back because many of those 767s and 777s will be retired in the next 5 to 7 years "
Exactly and UA doesn't need to as it is at the front of a long line with 141 787s on order compared to DL's 26. UA is expecting more 789s (28) with their...
TD says, "UA will simply not invest in new seats on a large number of its aircraft because UA cannot get the ROI back because many of those 767s and 777s will be retired in the next 5 to 7 years "
Exactly and UA doesn't need to as it is at the front of a long line with 141 787s on order compared to DL's 26. UA is expecting more 789s (28) with their new Polaris suites/studios by the end of next year than all the wide body aircraft DL currently has on order.
Also, UA managed to install higher J Polaris, Premium Plus & Econ Plus on its entire int'l fleet of over 200 wide body aircraft in six years just in time for an historical demand spike for int'l premium travel. Delta just recently got up to 77 planes with D1 suites eight years after starting. When it takes so long to refurbish aircraft you never get close to anything close to hard product consistency. United managed its int'l refurbishment perfectly during Covid at well over three times the rate DL did, and it offers 3x as many Polaris seat/beds as DL offers D1 suites. United is not rolling out their new Polaris suite/studios product and DL won't rollout their new D1 product until 2027 at the earliest.
Ok. I'll weigh in.
This whole notion of "consistency" is a made-up concept by United - and espoused by very few if any other large global carriers - to cover up the lack of quality in the Polaris product relative to competitors.
Feel free to let us know what other large global airlines - with widebody fleets over 100 aircraft - try to offer the same product on all aircraft types. It makes no...
Ok. I'll weigh in.
This whole notion of "consistency" is a made-up concept by United - and espoused by very few if any other large global carriers - to cover up the lack of quality in the Polaris product relative to competitors.
Feel free to let us know what other large global airlines - with widebody fleets over 100 aircraft - try to offer the same product on all aircraft types. It makes no sense because products continuously change so an airline that targets consistency hits the middle but loses at the top end.
But consistency is not about the product on planes but how the fleet is used and what a customer is most likely to get on any number of flights.
as noted, UA has 757s with non-direct aisle access in business class which it uses on 8+ hour flights to Europe; UA also uses 737s on 7+ hour flights and those aircraft have no business class cabin and a domestic first class cabin rather than a true premium economy cabin.
the reality is that Polaris is better than DL's 767-300ER business class product - but less than a half dozen TATL routes were on routes competitive w/ widebodies. Most DL 763s out of JFK in the summer of 2025 were on routes that UA uses its 757s; the DL 763 is clearly a superior product to UA's 757s even if it is weaker than other DL products.
and a large chunk of DL's 763 fleet is used on domestic flights including transcon routes and to Hawaii; AA, like DL, has no domestic configured widebodies while AA's JFK transcon product right now is largely dated A321Ts. UA, as noted, uses many types of products on its NE transcon flights.
and most significantly, DL, like most large global carriers, has had a widebody suite product for years. AA has a couple aircraft in service w/ a widebody suite product and UA has precisely none.
DL has an 80 aircraft headstart w/ Delta One Suite widebodies and AA has committed to modding its 777s to add its new suite product which will be structurally the same as UA's, while UA has made no commitment to adding mods.
AA has had the most consistent business product with no narrowbodies since the pandemic and all direct aisle access. Further, AA and DL's non-suite widebody business class seats are lower density - which means more space per passenger.
and it is most notable that Ben and nearly every reviewer does not rate Polaris as one of the best products and that has been the case for years.
“Feel free to let us know what other large global airlines - with widebody fleets over 100 aircraft - try to offer the same product on all aircraft types”
For many years, after the death of Concorde, British Airways was ~100% consistent with its ying-yang Club World seats. Love ’em or loathe ’em, you knew exactly what seat you were going to get.
BA is now in transition with the Club Suites, but I...
“Feel free to let us know what other large global airlines - with widebody fleets over 100 aircraft - try to offer the same product on all aircraft types”
For many years, after the death of Concorde, British Airways was ~100% consistent with its ying-yang Club World seats. Love ’em or loathe ’em, you knew exactly what seat you were going to get.
BA is now in transition with the Club Suites, but I understand their goal at the end of the project is once again 100% consistency.
And that’s because BA knows consistency is Brand 101. The customer should know what they’re going to get before they buy it. Not see their fare as a lottery ticket.
Don't say "ying-yang", please. That is racist and offensive!
“yin-yang[3][2] is the concept that there exist cosmic principles or forces that are opposites but complementary, which interact, interconnect, support and perpetuate each other. Together they form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the interdependent components, and both parts are essential for the cohesion of the whole”
Blimey. It wasn’t intended to be offensive. For the avoidance of doubt I was intending this meaning:
“yin-yang is the concept that there exist...
“yin-yang[3][2] is the concept that there exist cosmic principles or forces that are opposites but complementary, which interact, interconnect, support and perpetuate each other. Together they form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the interdependent components, and both parts are essential for the cohesion of the whole”
Blimey. It wasn’t intended to be offensive. For the avoidance of doubt I was intending this meaning:
“yin-yang is the concept that there exist cosmic principles or forces that are opposites but complementary, which interact, interconnect, support and perpetuate each other. Together they form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the interdependent components, and both parts are essential for the cohesion of the whole”.
TD, "This whole notion of "consistency" is a made-up concept"
Of all your nonsense this takes the cake. You heard it here folks. Product consistency is a "made-up concept" according to Tim Dunn the "airline analyst". Please don't tell all the wealthy purveyors of the world's greatest brands. Poor tiny Tim.
You're a Nasty little bugger, "rebel". Let's compare IQs, buster.
Having no particular allegiance to United, or Delta, or any carrier really, this is a pretty garbage take. I may not be the most frequent or fliers, but at 37 years old I’ve flown over a million miles, and most of them have been premium cabin trans-Atlantic.
I love the consistency of United. Heck, I just love the seat! If you get a “true” window seat, the privacy is fantastic, no need for a...
Having no particular allegiance to United, or Delta, or any carrier really, this is a pretty garbage take. I may not be the most frequent or fliers, but at 37 years old I’ve flown over a million miles, and most of them have been premium cabin trans-Atlantic.
I love the consistency of United. Heck, I just love the seat! If you get a “true” window seat, the privacy is fantastic, no need for a door. If I’m with my wife, the 2 middle seats right next to each other are so nice to play cards or talk. I’m 6’4” and I find the footwell to be better on United than the AA reverse herringbone. I do like the Delta One suites, but, they’re still less convenient when flying with a companion, and it’s rare that I fly them across the pond because Delta’s hubs frankly blow and their international network is weak. Who wants to connect to Europe through ATL, MSP, or DTW? They have JFK but then KLM and AF are miles better if you’re Skyteam so why fly Delta?
My totally subjective opinion is that United is the best American carrier between the U.S. and Europe. The food kinda sucks, but it all sucks compared to food on the ground anyways, unless you’re getting caviar in first. I’ll even take United over any Lufthansa group airline, (having not flown the new seats yet). I’d say AF and KLM are about tied hard product wise, but far better soft product, and that the new BA club suites are probably my favorite.
tl:dr: it is indeed nice to know what you’re getting. Polaris is damn comfy. Delta’s intl network blows. It’s all irrelevant because BA’s club suites/ KLM/AF are better anyways.
Scott Kirby defined the word "consistency"!? Who knew! What insight and breaking news!
God you are such a moronic fool timmy
I believe the high density business 777-200s are mostly for Hawaii, and sometimes put on EWR-SFO/LAX flights. If they ever get swapped for a true Polaris plane at the last minute, watch out for it because then premium economy ("PP") seats (the purple ones) then open up as free to select without any difference in fare.
The high density 777s are routinely flown between US hubs in addition to HI flights.
They're occasionally on the trans-cons out of IAD as well. The business class seats suck out loud.
I am not looking forward to United switching to reverse herringbone seats. The current every other row center seats are great for traveling with your significant other/friend. You can’t talk to your seat-mate in the reverse herringbone configuration. Why does no one care about this?
The front/rear Polaris cabin alternate. One is herringbone, the other reverse.
I just find Business "Class" to be such poor value.
The 737 MAX 10 that UA will be configuring in an international Polaris configuration is going to be a game-changer for the TATL market.
They're not flying MAX 10s transatlantic.
True !
The B737-10 won't have lie-flat seats again as initially expected.
The leased CFM-equipped A321NEO will replace the B737-10 in those roles.
Wrong, Zeph - Google it.
@Jedidiah
The Google you're probably referencing is from a 2021 news.
As at Q2 of 2025, when United finalised the A321XLR cabin layout, the decided to configure all the CFM-equipped A321neo that they will acquire from a lease, it should be about 40 in number.
The cabin configuration based on a DOT filling is
A321XLR 20-12-118 total=150 seats
A321NEO 20-12-129 total=161 seats
All of this information is fake and made-up.
Honestly, United has the weakest TATL partners in terms of hard product imo. Which helps uplift its widebody Polaris product. I prefer United over LH group in general.
LH group are mostly still running the old 1-2-2 seats. LH themselves are 2-2-2 on most flights. United wins simply by having superior hard product.
While LH group soft product might be slightly better, direct aisle access is tablestakes on 2025.
I’d add that the major drawback of Polaris is the inequality in seat quality. The staggered seat configuration makes the seats closer to the aisle very exposed.
Overall, it’s a serviceable seat, but not one to get excited about. I think reverse herringbone products have done a great job at making sure seat quality is equal and “fair” regardless of which row you choose. The new United Polaris seat should help overcome that weakness.
Total bullshit. United is FAR superior to Delta or American.
Sounds funny but I actually like the inequality of seat quality because unless you book really last minute I’ve always found it easy to get a “true” window seat, and if I’m flying with my wife, the middle seats that are actually next to each other are great. It’s hard to play cards in reverse herringbone seats :D
So you're the ones filling the cabin with sounds of shuffling cards at 2am . . .
United sells 757 Business Class (lie flat, transatlantic) as Polaris.
You're not Tim.
It's Tim who will complain about 757 across the Atlantic and how Delta 767 is better than Polaris and better profitability.
757 is more profitable at a ~95% load factor if the flight is under 4000 miles. The only time a 767 beats it out is if the flight is longer. So Europe from east coast the 757 is generally superior.