United introduced Polaris on December 1, 2016, which is the name for their new first & business class experience. This includes new airport lounges, improved food & beverages, better bedding, and also new seats.
United’s 777-300ER Polaris seat
Unfortunately United has been rolling out the new product at a glacial pace. While all of their new 777-300ERs have been delivered with the Polaris seats, they’ve been reconfiguring existing planes at an extremely slow pace.
Here are the 777-300ER routes that United already operates and/or has already announced:
- United began flying 777-300ERs between San Francisco and Hong Kong as of March 25, 2017
- United began flying 777-300ERs between Newark and Tel Aviv as of May 5, 2017
- United began flying 777-300ERs between San Francisco and Tokyo Narita as of June 14, 2017
- United began flying 777-300ERs between San Francisco and Taipei as of August 1, 2017
- United began flying 777-300ERs between San Francisco and Beijing as of September 6, 2017
- United began flying 777-300ERs between San Francisco and Frankfurt as of October 6, 2017
- United began flying 777-300ERs between Newark and Tokyo Narita as of October 28, 2017
- United began flying 777-300ERs between San Francisco and Auckland as of October 29, 2017
- United will begin flying 777-300ERs between San Francisco and Tel Aviv as of May 23, 2018
With only a few more 777-300ERs remaining to be delivered, United has just announced their next route for the aircraft, which will be seasonal. United will fly the Boeing 777-300ER daily between Newark and Frankfurt between March 24 and July 31, 2018.
Specifically, the 777-300ER will be operating the following frequency:
UA960 Newark to Frankfurt departing 7:40PM arriving 9:20AM (+1 day)
UA961 Frankfurt to Newark departing 11:20AM arriving 2:00PM
For the time this operates, this will be the shortest international flight to be flown by United’s 777-300ERs. Prior to this change, UA960/961 will be flown by a 767-400, while after this change it will be flown by a 777-200 (given that August is still peak season for Europe), so in both cases this aircraft swap represents a significant capacity upgrade.
As far as award availability on this Newark to Frankfurt frequency goes, unfortunately I don’t see much business class award availability. There are a few dates with seats, but that’s about it.
This aircraft change will no doubt be popular with those traveling in business class between Newark and Europe, though in economy it’s a different story, since United’s 777-300ERs are in a 3-4-3 configuration, making it one of the least comfortable United rides in economy.
Does anyone plan on flying United’s 777-300ER between Newark and Frankfurt?
Worst economy seats ever - sitting in a 4th graders chair during parents night is more comfortable. How can United deceive its large following of FF who can't buy business class. Impossible to sleep in these chairs - recline is minimal and width is 17" - that's worse the Spirit Airline
I have award tix for FRA-SFO this summer that were downgraded to 787-9 from the 777-300ER. The earlier flight in the day is still a 777-300ER. So FRA-SFO is not a guaranteed 777-300ER.
United is pulling the 300er from several routes as of October 31st:
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/276455/united-w18-san-francisco-long-haul-changes-as-of-31dec17/
FYI-United management is oblivious to its own advantage (what’s new, right?)
In February, 2017, I flew UA (777) between FRA-DUL with full soft Polaris Business Class product.
What made the biggest difference in having a terrific, enjoyable flight? Simple-the FA crew were home based in Frankfurt. As a result, I felt I was back on my regular and favorite, Lufthansa!
Why? No problem with pre-flight drinks-even when I was late boarding; easy receiving repetitive refills...
FYI-United management is oblivious to its own advantage (what’s new, right?)
In February, 2017, I flew UA (777) between FRA-DUL with full soft Polaris Business Class product.
What made the biggest difference in having a terrific, enjoyable flight? Simple-the FA crew were home based in Frankfurt. As a result, I felt I was back on my regular and favorite, Lufthansa!
Why? No problem with pre-flight drinks-even when I was late boarding; easy receiving repetitive refills en flight; very concerned how I wanted the duck dinner cooked; great selection of wines; AND a real effort to suggest gel pillow, etc.
You would think with everybody at UA mouthing these days about “customer experience” that somebody would figure out what really makes a competent crew and deploy those metrics throughout the system.
Excellent, since I have 19 round trips between April 1st and July 23rd between EWR and FRA on UA!
With no saver level business class award space open, it's not worth 155K for regular business. I'd change my routing to MUC if I could fly on this.
Wish they would offer it between Frankfurt and Chicago.
@WilliamC and people wonder why we make fun of the FA's on US airlines. You would never hear things like that from FAs in Asia/Middle East
little typo in your last paragraph:
"no doubt he popular"
OT, its interesting to see though that united started rolling out polaris to FRA first over LHR. Didn't expect them to pick Germany first over the UK. With SF to FRA from the beginning.
Not much of an upgrade. United flight attendants have little enthusiasm for the new business class on these planes, as it represents a lot more work for the same pay (that's their words).
Ask for the gel pillows and mattress pad, and you'll get a silent stare. Ask for the wine-tasting, and you'll get a scowl. Ask for a refill on a cocktail, and you'll be asked if you just came off a cruise.