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 on a Polaris flight without “the” Polaris business class seat.
United’s purpose-build 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.
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?
Flew Polaris a few times this summer to/from Europe and felt like cattle. Too many passengers, so no flight attendants around. It basically was lie-flat coach.
I don't know why, but over the summer -- maybe they needed all the Polaris configured aircraft for international -- but UA was flying those awful 2-4-2 configurations for most of their LAX/SFO-EWR transcon flights, with some 757's as well. It was dramatically uncompetitive compared to JetBlue, American, and Delta, and arguably Alaska, and it's just one of the many bummers over the past couple of years that has chased me away from being a...
I don't know why, but over the summer -- maybe they needed all the Polaris configured aircraft for international -- but UA was flying those awful 2-4-2 configurations for most of their LAX/SFO-EWR transcon flights, with some 757's as well. It was dramatically uncompetitive compared to JetBlue, American, and Delta, and arguably Alaska, and it's just one of the many bummers over the past couple of years that has chased me away from being a United loyalist and fan. I've just gone free agent at this point; UA no longer offers me much in exchange for loyalty, and if they're going to fly a worse product, I mean, I can vote with my wallet.
Is there any special reason why United has chosen not to retrofit the 2-4-2 cabins to also have Polaris seats?
How do you get out of the middle seats in the 2-4-2? I just booked some because Delta "accidentally" cancelled my husband's ticket, sigh. Only thing left was the middle where I've never sat.
Have flown Polaris. Didn’t like it. It felt claustrophobic. Also the cabin staff weren’t that well groomed and gave this flippant kind of vibe compared to other airlines. Wouldn’t seek it out if there were other alternatives.
UA. used the 2-4-2 on pre-covid Chicago-Hong Kong. Hope they have replaced...We should have checked.
They haven't flown that configuration to Asia in a LONG time. I flew ORD-HKG 2-3 times a year round trip leading up to 2020 and the last time I can remember the 2-4-2 in business on that route was maybe 2018
I love this post for the incredibly subtle and necessitated shade thrown at a certain habitual commentator that *again* posted incorrect information on your post earlier this afternoon in regard to J seats. Bravo sir.
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Tim Dunn Diamond
December 7, 2024, 8:54 pm
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ORD_Is_My_Second_Home Diamond
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Tim Dunn Diamond
December 9, 2024, 1:43 pm
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12 more repliesyou mean that United has precisely ZERO business class seats that are suites.
And United has no public plans to change that because they are more interested in uniformity in their fleet than in having anything industry leading.
Ben didn't throw shade.
A few posters have made fools of themselves over the past two days including one that pathologically can't accept that Delta is larger from the eastern US to East Asia and also makes...
you mean that United has precisely ZERO business class seats that are suites.
And United has no public plans to change that because they are more interested in uniformity in their fleet than in having anything industry leading.
Ben didn't throw shade.
A few posters have made fools of themselves over the past two days including one that pathologically can't accept that Delta is larger from the eastern US to East Asia and also makes more money on its international network and its total system and then the other person that tried to argue how wrong I was about United by citing a year old argue and ignoring one in which I gave a buy recommendation on UAL that, if followed would result in someone having $250 for a $100 investment just 4 months ago.
I do this because I have so much fun proving people wrong that try to prove me wrong.
So your more recent call (where the whole industry has doubled) cancels out your call a year ago that UAL was in massive trouble?
Nice try chump.
thank you for confirming for all of the world that you are as ignorant about stock market analysis as you are about airlines and their finances.
Yes, stock ratings regularly change. The most recent is what matters.
Thank you for once again providing an opportunity for me to highlight how well I nailed my recommendation on UAL.
And you wonder why I have so much fun on this site; with people like you, my life is a picnic.
Stupid twat - you in essence told your ones of readers in fall 2023 to short UAL. And those who did would have had their a$$es handed to them.
What a keyboard warrior chump. You embarrass yourself.
again, you prove your ignorance.
I did not say to short UAL. I said to sell it. If you don't know the difference, you have no business commenting about stock analysis.
But you have proven you don't understand much other than trying to attack other people.
When I wrote the "vulnerable" article, UAL was at 42.03
when I wrote my next UAL article, "positive signs drive UAL upgrade", UAL was at 40.47. UAL did not...
again, you prove your ignorance.
I did not say to short UAL. I said to sell it. If you don't know the difference, you have no business commenting about stock analysis.
But you have proven you don't understand much other than trying to attack other people.
When I wrote the "vulnerable" article, UAL was at 42.03
when I wrote my next UAL article, "positive signs drive UAL upgrade", UAL was at 40.47. UAL did not gain and lost value between my two articles, validating my rating in Sept 2023.
My next article was on Mar 11, 2024 when I issued a hold. at the time of that article, UAL was at 42.83, racking up a small gain since my last article.
my most recent article was when I said that UAL was building a better business and issued a buy. UAL stock when that article was published was 41.01 which was a slight decrease from the previous article.
UAL stock took off after the "building a better business article".
I have accurately called UAL's stock movements four times over the past 2 years.
keep talking... You make a bigger fool of yourself the more you write.
and you simply highlight how right I have been about UAL stock despite the fact that you and others want desperately to prove that I don't know what I am talking about and am biased for DL.
keep talking... I am loving this.
wanna crawl under a rock and change your user name yet?
You’ve called 9 of the past 5 recessions - congrats!
You can keep banging away with your tiny hands all you want. You are a joke here and across the travel blogs. Just a really pathetic, small little person.
Very obvious now to us all why Delta sh!tcanned you.
the only joke is someone - specifically you - that thinks that a sell and short recommendation on a stock is the same thing as well as someone that doesn't understand that analysts regularly change their ratings on companies based on current and expected performance.
We know your entire MO is to trash someone that knows something that you don't but I called UAL stock with pretty great precision.
you have permanently branded yourself...
the only joke is someone - specifically you - that thinks that a sell and short recommendation on a stock is the same thing as well as someone that doesn't understand that analysts regularly change their ratings on companies based on current and expected performance.
We know your entire MO is to trash someone that knows something that you don't but I called UAL stock with pretty great precision.
you have permanently branded yourself as the stock market ignoramus of aviation chat forums. You would do well to admit you are wrong and desist from your incessant bashing me and other people that speak reality which you simply do not want to hear or read.
IN this case, UAL does not and will not have a suite product on its widebodies long after DL passes 50% of its widebody fleet with suites and AA passes 25%.
UAL is and will be one of the very few large global airlines with no suite product even as others say that Polaris is claustrophobic
When a sell-side analyst says to sell a stock, it means they expect the price to go down. United stock is up a bit over 100% since you made that call. You get to take the L on this one. Also, literally nothing between 9/2023 and 12/2023 should have been impetus to change your call.
you highlight precisely the cherrypicking that takes place on aviation social media - and social media as a whole - because you can't accept the reality that I accurately made the right call at the right time.
I changed my recommendation from a hold to a buy just before the stock took off.
You choose to ignore that call rather than admit that I timed within weeks exactly when UAL stock started increasing.
And the...
you highlight precisely the cherrypicking that takes place on aviation social media - and social media as a whole - because you can't accept the reality that I accurately made the right call at the right time.
I changed my recommendation from a hold to a buy just before the stock took off.
You choose to ignore that call rather than admit that I timed within weeks exactly when UAL stock started increasing.
And the article with the hold and the article with the buy both contain the reasons for the ratings. I suspect you didn't bother to read either article - if you did you should be able to debate the reasons why my justifications were wrong.
I called the movement in UAL stock right and in the appropriate time just as I have said that Polaris was a middle of the road product that is neither best or worst in class but is obsolete based on the global standard to have at least some aircraft in a global carrier fleet with a suite with door product. UA is one of the few large global carriers that has no aircraft with a suite product - none have 100% - and will put it on its A321XLRs before it puts it on a widebody.
Polaris is a far superior product to Delta None. Just like UA is a far superior airline to DL. Or can't you face that fact without your face melting like the Nazis in Raiders of the Lost Ark?
that is a subjective choice, ORD.
The fact that DL ranks higher in just about every customer service survey and ranking and also gets a revenue premium to the industry including increasingly to UA across the Pacific says that customers that actually spend money, not people on the internet, say that DL does a better job than UA.
No, Timbits. It's my view, and I count for more than everyone combined. United is superior to Delta in every way, and it's my Hometown Airline. I don't care about the trailer trash at ATL.
anyone that thinks the world revolves around them is the trash
United has Polaris seats on every wide body international flight. That is all the article needs to say. Who needs a door???
except they don't.
And the same argument was made by UA fans and its execs about seatback AVOD - until they realized that 75% or more of people on B6 and DL narrowbodies that have AVOD use it.
Same is true w/ doors on business class seats.
It is worth noting that United is by far the largest airline and perhaps the only one of the top 10 global airlines that has absolutely NO aircraft with a suite product and they have no intention to put one on their fleet.
If they do decide to put a suite product on their fleet, they will then have an inconsistent business class product - precisely defeating the one "advantage" that Polaris has.
Polaris is...
It is worth noting that United is by far the largest airline and perhaps the only one of the top 10 global airlines that has absolutely NO aircraft with a suite product and they have no intention to put one on their fleet.
If they do decide to put a suite product on their fleet, they will then have an inconsistent business class product - precisely defeating the one "advantage" that Polaris has.
Polaris is not class-leading in any regard, it took 8 years for UA to roll it out on its fleet, and as soon as UA decides to start working on a suite product, it will have the same product inconsistency that it loves to argue about other airlines
So, UA will just stick with a mediocre, dated product that can consistently be found on MOST of its widebodies, none of its narrowbodies, and certainly not on its 737s that it uses on transatlantic and intra-Asia flights.
All of the oldest fleet among global airlines and the oldest and least fuel efficient large widebody fleet in the world
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December 7, 2024, 7:34 pm
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Tim Dunn Diamond
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ORD_Is_My_Second_Home Diamond
December 8, 2024, 3:44 pm
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5 more repliesTimmy - with those tiny hands of yours, can you frantically type what are the UA TATL routes with the 737? Inquiring minds want to know.
see UA's route announcement for 2025.
Are you truly that ignorant?
didn't you learn your lesson trying to highlight how wrong I was about UAL stock only to found out that my buy recommendation yielded a higher rate of return than what you cited UAL has made?
Tim seems to be confused about islands in the middle of the Atlantic being “TATL”…really slipping. Might want to go in for a mental health checkup.
Once again it takes a visionary airline like UA to serve new routes that no other airline dines - bravo! Thats what true premiumness looks like.
Poor Timmy, who doesn't have a life...
The Polaris seat is hardly outdated. It’s a perfectly solid design.
Who cares about a suite? You'll never be able to fly it on your unemployment check.
It’s worth pointing out that UA’s 777-200s are the only choice flying UA HNL>GUM. This is an awful configuration on an ~8-hr flight, which is longer than many East Coast to Europe flights. This configuration is often referred to as the dormitory seat. As a UA Lifetime GS and frequent Guam flyer, this is why I always fly though NRT to get to GUM, not to mention the more civilized flight times to and from LAX.
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Dion Guest
December 7, 2024, 6:33 pm
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Paul Guest
December 7, 2024, 11:38 pm
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1 more replyThe 777-200s are not the only choice flying from HNL-Guam I flew a 777-300 on this route last month.
UA200 / 201 between HNL and GUM has been operated daily by a Polaris 777-300ER for more than a year now.
Worth pointing out that United has at least refurbished the 757s slightly. Your picture shows the older look. The business seats may be the same, but they've at least been reupholstered to match the true Polaris seats visually. Those planes also have updated bulkhead designs, lavs, and new IFE in coach.