CHICAGO, Nov. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This week
United Airlines begins the roll-out of its all-new United Polaris
business class, the airline's most significant product
transformation in more than a decade, featuring a reimagined,
sleep-enhancing experience for intercontinental travelers. United
Polaris begins service at 12:01 a.m.
local time on December 1 in all of
the airline's markets.
Announced in June, the first phase of United Polaris features an
elevated inflight food and beverage experience, tranquil custom
bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, exclusive amenity kits with
products from Soho House & Co's Cowshed Spa, and the opening of
the first of nine United Polaris lounges around the world, at
Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
"In our quest to be the best airline in the world, we are
rethinking and reimagining all we do. United Polaris offers an
elevated customer experience and redefines the meaning of premier
business travel," said Oscar Munoz,
CEO of United. "The high quality of amenities United Polaris
provides is matched only by the service and care our employees
demonstrate from lounge to landing."
Sleep-Enticing Amenities
In rethinking the international business class experience,
United conducted more than 12,000 hours of research, and sleep
emerged as the single most important priority for international
business class travelers. United Polaris' path-breaking design and
sleep-enhancing focus was inspired and informed by insights from
hundreds of customers and employees, inflight product simulations
and more than 100 product evaluations.
"With United Polaris, we set out to put the legacy of the weary
business traveler to bed for good," said Julia Haywood, Executive Vice President and
Chief Commercial Officer of United. "What we heard from our
customers, and what resonated as a very consistent theme, was that
they needed a tailored experience that would maximize comfort and
sleep. Arriving at your destination well rested is something we all
strive for when we travel, and for our customers traveling halfway
around the world, optimal performance when they arrive at their
destination is the only option."
In a first-of-its-kind relationship, United has worked with
leading luxury specialty store Saks Fifth Avenue for
custom-designed bedding. All designed to provide the best sleep in
the sky, the new bedding collection will feature plush duvets,
lightweight day-blankets and a large and small pillow for each
United Polaris customer. In addition, mattress cushions will be
available upon request.
Slippers will be available on all flights, and customized United
Polaris pajamas will be available by request on flights longer than
12 hours. Flyers will also be able to request a gel-cooled pillow.
New amenity kits will feature ergonomically designed eye shades,
calming pillow mist and additional products from Soho House &
Co's Cowshed Spa.
With the introduction of United Polaris, the airline intends to
donate tens of thousands of pillows, blankets and other inflight
service items to Fisher House Foundation, which United and its
employees have long supported.
Additionally, United will offer a new and unique channel for
customers on its inflight entertainment system focused on sleep and
relaxation. Customers will be able to relax with soothing nature
scenes, guided meditation sessions from Headspace, and experience
Slow TV as they settle-in onboard.
Elevated Dining Experience
Upon boarding their flight, each United Polaris customer will be
welcomed with a pre-departure beverage of his or her choice and
gourmet chocolate. On morning flights, passengers can choose a
sweet and bubbly Mimosa or create their own savory and spicy Tito's
Handmade Vodka® Bloody Mary. On afternoon and evening flights,
passengers can create their own wine tasting menu, with a
customized wine flight with the highest-quality options curated
exclusively by United's Master Sommelier. While in the air,
customers will enjoy regionally influenced in-flight menus updated
seasonally, developed in partnership with The Trotter Project and
its critically recognized chefs, including Chef Bill
Kim of Chicago restaurants Urbanbelly, bellyQ and Belly
Shack and Chef Jesse Dunford Wood,
chef-owner at Parlour in London.
Inflight service will also include made-to-order signature ice
cream sundaes and a dessert cart with a variety of petit dessert
options. On daytime flights longer than eight hours and on all
flights longer than 12 hours, hot mid-flight snacks such as lobster
macaroni and cheese will be available.
Renewed Focus on Service
United is transforming its international business class
experience to provide customers with truly best-in-class service.
The airline has invested heavily in extensive training for all
employees who will help deliver United Polaris. This included a
training module delivered by Saks Fifth Avenue, known for their
extraordinary program of customer service.
Every decision related to the development and implementation of
United Polaris was rooted with employee and customer feedback in
mind. United Polaris business class will include enhanced flight
attendant service procedures for greater efficiency, including a
shorter meal service so customers can have undisturbed sleep
times.
One-Of-A-Kind Lounges
United will also open an exclusive portfolio of United Polaris
business class lounges in nine locations around the world – the
only lounge of its kind offered by a U.S. airline to business class
customers – that will feature custom-designed chairs, private
daybeds, spa-like showers, bespoke art installations by artist
Wolfgang Buttress, and chef-inspired
hot meals served in a boutique restaurant setting so customers can
refresh and dine before boarding their planes. Premium sparkling
wines and spirits, refreshing snacks and bottled water will also be
offered.
The first United Polaris lounge opens at Chicago O'Hare
International Airport near Gate C18 and lounges in eight other
locations – Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington Dulles, Tokyo
Narita, Hong Kong and London Heathrow – will follow.
Innovative Design
The all-new United Polaris business class seat will first take
flight in 2017 on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and subsequently on
Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, as well as on Boeing
767-300 and 777-200 retrofits.
In setting out to create a transformative business class
experience, United chose to outfit its widebody fleet with a
custom-designed, exclusive-to-United seat, rather than select an
option already in the marketplace. Designed in partnership with
Acumen Design Associates and PriestmanGoode and manufactured by
Zodiac Seats United Kingdom, each United Polaris seat will offer
direct access to the aisle, 180-degree flat-bed recline and up to 6
foot 6 inches of bed space.
Crafted as individual, forward-facing, suite-like pods, each
customer's personal suite will feature a "Do Not Disturb" sign,
mood lighting, one-touch lumbar support, several storage areas,
multiple surfaces for simultaneous working and dining, a 16-inch
high-definition entertainment screen and, for seats in the center
of the cabin, electronic privacy dividers. Complementing the new
seats, United and PriestmanGoode have also conceived an all-new
look for the United Polaris cabins.
More information on the United Polaris business class can be
found at united.com/Polaris. Photos and video can be
found at newsroom.united.com/United_Polaris.
About United
United Airlines and United Express operate more than 4,500
flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. In 2015,
United and United Express operated more than 1.5 million flights
carrying more than 140 million customers. United is proud to have
the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S.
mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los
Angeles, New York/Newark, San
Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates more
than 720 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates
taking delivery of 21 new Boeing aircraft, including 737NGs, 787s
and 777s, as well as six used Airbus A319 aircraft. The airline is
a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to
192 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit
united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The
common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc.,
is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.
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SOURCE United Airlines