united polaris vs lufthansa business class

There must have been less than two dozen passengers (and about as many staff). United 787-10 Polaris business class seats The seats you want here are the "true" window seats, which are in odd numbered rows. is a former reporter for the site, covering all things points, miles, credit cards, travel and aviation. Between frequent sales on purchased miles and two major transfer partners (American Express Membership Rewards and Capital One), it's easier than ever before to top up your LifeMiles balance. With service focused on Australia only, youd think Virgin Australia would be overshadowed by Qantas. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments. South African Airlines has some of the coolest cabin finishes ever, but thats not the only thing going for them. Sadly my reservation had changed, but the ticket was never re-issued. If you want a free upgrade in your seat, you can join an airlines frequent flyer program. Wherever your journey takes you: in Lufthansa Business Class you'll arrive feeling more relaxed. Another first world problem is that Singapore Airlines doesnt provide amenity kits in business class. Business class passengers can enjoy the finest service and lie-flat beds available from Swiss and Lufthansa. Lufthansa didn't name the holder of this intellectual property, but that would be Acumen. Lufthansa, Swiss, Qatar, Emirates, Singapore, British, Cathay or Thai? Additionally, the footwell is pretty small, and youll have to slant your body to fit your legs into the space (unless you get the coveted bulkhead seats). The high-J 767s are used for United's new transcontinental flights between New York- JFK and Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO). ), whereas United Polaris offers a true business class experience. Dark blue. I did not dare ask for espresso to not arouse more anger from my 'prison guards'. Go to United.com and enter your travel cities, dates, number of passengers and class of service. Paid extra to have the Q suite and they didnt even let us know ahead of time. Learn more: Is United Premium Plus worth it? U.S. to Australia & New Zealand: 80,000 miles, U.S. to Asia: 105,500 - 115,000 miles (depending on final destination), U.S. to Australia and New Zealand: 130,000 miles. If United doesn't have any saver inventory, you won't be able to book these flights using partner programs. For sure they will not refund my upgraded business class online. All beverages, including alcohol, are complimentary. As with any solid business class product, ANA provides a comfortable sleeping surface, great bedding, tasty Japanese cuisine, large footwells, and a large inflight monitor. 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Highlights of Delta One include a beautiful Tumi amenity kit stocked with Kiehls wellness products, plush Westin Heavenly bedding, and a comfortable seat to begin with. Business class provides access to a lounge, on-site check-in, and full-flat beds. The most common long-distance seat at Abu Dhabis flagship airline, Etihad Airways, is Business Studio. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. United Private Screening offers on-demand movies, TV shows and more on a large personal screen. Youll find thick bedding (though no mattress topper), pajamas, and a solid Oman Air-branded amenity kit. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Seat map color. The use of a staircase on a plane always feels more luxurious than sitting down. While business class seats on the German airline are fully flat, there is little privacy or aisle access. We have flown both Air Canada, Toronto to Tel Aviv on a Dreamliner and Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Detroit. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. Lounge access and priority boarding at the airport, additional free baggage and exclusive in-flight . Their bed is super comfortable, plus youll get pajamas from Apujan (a London-based designer label,) and Rimowa/Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kits. So how do we make money? Her goal is to visit every country in the world by offsetting the cost with points and miles. Food and beverage options are said to be tasty and familiar for American tastes, but no inflight Wi-Fi or pajamas are offered. The seats are 21 wide and 75-78 long in bed mode, which issolid but not spectacular for a reverse herringbone seat. Their staggered Thompson Vantage XL seats on the new A330-300 are24wide, 45 in pitch, and around 78 long in bed mode. Those flying in the Polaris cabin also get Premier Access, which includes priority check-in, access to exclusive security lines (where available), priority boarding and priority baggage handling. For a more relaxed trip. Additional reporting by Zach Honig and Ethan Steinberg. This is extremely wide for reverse herringbone seats (typically youll see 20-22). Please view our advertising policy page for more information. If you fly United, you will have access to the excursion throughout the trip rather than just at the airports air terminal, as you would on a long-distance flight. Polaris passengers can check up to two bags (weighing up to 70 pounds each) for free. Aboard Japan Airlines, expect a selection of tasty Asian dishes, a comfortable ride with solid bedding, a 23 inflight monitor, a boutique Japanese amenity kit, and unparalleled service. For more information on the Polaris experience, you can check out the following TPG reviews: While the Polaris soft product (food, service, amenities) rolled out a little early, the full experience, including the redesigned modern seats, launched in early 2017 when United took delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER. The main drawback for these seats is that very few routes utilize this business class product. Hot Tip: If you need help booking your award flight, see our guide on the best ways to book Emirates business class with points. Award availability is plentiful in business class, which is also a plus! This is very similar to the Qatar Airways QSuites that we talked about above. Thanks for your comment and I am glad you enjoyed the piece. A free seat selection comes with a Polaris ticket purchase. Ill be going in February and am trying to get discounted or senior pricing. British Airways has a mixed fleet of in-flight personnel, which is made up of more inexperienced FAs. The bedding is quite thick, though a mattress pad isnt provided. All beverages, including alcohol, are complimentary. But some other aspects of the product fall short, including the small 16 inflight screen and thin bedding. On the outbound, TAP Air Portugal has lie-flat seats, and on the inbound, Turkish Airlines has lie-flat seats. It is a well-made product, but it could have been done better with the finishes. Another difference with the new Polaris lounges is their stricter access requirements. Many thanks for this list. So, to answer your question, there isnt a specific reason that Turkish wasnt included there are only 25 listed here so some great airlines had to be left out. Solo travelers should opt for an odd-numbered window seat, while couples traveling together should pick a center D/F pair in an odd-numbered row. While their first class is one of the best in the world, they have had a relatively lackluster business classuntil rolling out these new 787-900 business class seats. Entertainment: United Private Screening offers on-demand movies, TV shows and more on a large personal screen. What Makes an International Business Class Airline Great? What do you recommend? However, the credit card information that we publish has been written by experts who know these products inside out, and what we recommend is what we would (or already) use ourselves. The food and wine selection is also excellent, and the service is attentive without being intrusive. The airline had plans to open Polaris lounges in four more locations, including United's hub at Washington Dulles (IAD) and three international locations: London (LHR), Hong Kong (HKG) and Tokyo (NRT). Because of the configuration of the German airline, many seats in Lufthansa Business Class lack direct aisle access and lack privacy. When flying in Polaris business class with United, youll be presented with a chef-designed menu listing meal selection. Each seat also features a 16-inch in-flight entertainment screen. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. When flying in a Polaris cabin, youll get a lie-flat bed, lounge access, two free checked bags and a bunch of other goodies. In addition to fully staffed flights, a larger number of experienced cabin crew members are on the routes operated by Lufthansa. The business class of the airline is one of the most expensive in the world. There are many factors to consider when trying to decide which business class is best for you on a Lufthansa or United flight. 7. It offers two business class options: the Emirates A380 and the Boeing 777. China Airlines is the flag carrier of Taiwan. Aeroplan is another great option for booking United award tickets. Some things you may want to keep in mind are the type of aircraft, the seat configuration, the amenities offered, and the price. BOEING 787-10. Known for their out-of-this-world First Class Apartments and the Etihad Residence, this financially struggling airline provides one of the only ways to fly to the Middle East from the U.S. Etihad uses their best business class product on their 787s and A380s, which they call the Business Studio. However, if you do find saver business-class award space (I fare class on United, just like all other Star Alliance carriers), you should be able to book it with any of the below programs. All Nippon Airways introduced a new all-business and first class cabin in the summer of 2019. Make sure you calculate the value on your specific tickets as it can vary significantly. Looking to arrive at your next destination without a crick in the neck, and to splurge on a premium class when flying long haul with United Airlines? NerdWallet puts an estimated value of United miles. Qatar Airways QSuite, the airlines in-flight lounge, was voted the best business class in the 2021 Skytrax World Airline Awards. Premium lie-flat seats, bedding and in-flight meal service make United Polaris a good choice for long-haul flights. Hi Hamada, Since this piece only covers 25 airlines, there are definitely some great products that were left out. Seeing the mileage difference is 42k, is it worth it to try CI 777 Biz? We spent 4 hours in AC new Signature Suite in Toronto which was a mini-vacation in itself. While there are no fuel surcharges, you'll need to pay a CA$39 ($29) per-person partner booking fee plus taxes. United has since taken delivery of all 22 of the 777-300ERs (also referred to as "77Ws") that it had on order. Hot Tip: Check out our step-by-step guide on the best ways to book Qantas business class using points. There are always special meals available for dietary and religious reasons, but they must be reserved ahead of time. Emirates has won the Worlds Leading Inflight Entertainment award for its in-flight entertainment system. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap. What would you recommend? Solo travelers will prefer an odd-numbered window seat (A or L). Although it took a while, most long-haul international United flights now feature the airline's top-notch Polaris business-class pods. While the seats are slightly narrower at 20.6 inches, the same principles hold true for seat selection. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. In short, the United Premium Plus offers more of a premium economy experience (its often compared to the Economy Plus ticket option), whereas United Polaris offers a true business class experience. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. Award availability for these routes is spectacular, though the award pricing is another story. The only food offered at lunch was goose, which didnt appeal to either of us. Check out our guide on the best ways to book Korean Air business class. Your amenity kit will most likely contain Clarins toiletries, and the food tends to be extremely tasty and exquisitely French. During the two months preceding departure, menu cards are distributed. Lufthansa Business Class Review - United Polaris Lounge at San Francisco Airport . And be sure to try the Cathay Pacific Lounges in Hong Kong! The 777-200 configuration is 2-4-2 in business class. Nice piece & fully enjoyed it. Even if you are not looking for a seat, the seats are well-designed and provide plenty of space. Hopefully, this guide will help clear this up and serve as the definitive guide on where to find and what to expect in United's full Polaris business class. Be sure to check out these great ways to earn Eva Air miles, and you can experience their business class for yourself in no time. Its always interesting to read reviews on various airlines, and then try them for yourself. Some of the Emirates business class highlights include a state-of-the-art entertainment system, Bvlgari amenities, a mini-bar by your seat, motorized window shades, a manned inflight bar, and a spacious seat. The retrofitted 767s are a much simpler story. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Used your list for my decision. The back of United Business seats includes a 15-inch video monitor for entertainment. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. The Polaris cabin looks very sleek and is especially blue due to the aggressive use of mood lighting. You can also use EVA Airs Book The Cook option to reserve your meals before your flight. There were a number of other passengers (seemingly with high anxiety already) waiting to be helped, and the overly rigorous agent did not help the matter much. At the start I thought these were in order of preference or Best to least best since Qatar was first. EVA), and Im not quite sure how the non-tried and tested products fare since youve made some very general assumptions. The main drawback is that these seats are somewhat dated, and the 12 inflight entertainment screen is tiny. Check out our guide on the best ways to fly to Paris using points and miles! NerdWallet puts an estimated value of United miles at 1.2 cents apiece, so the redemption above is a great one. Swiss has a great range of food and beverages, as well as a relaxing atmosphere. My interest in improving aerodynamic efficiency in airplanes, cars, ships, and energy conversion devices led me to open this blog based on my expertise and desire to improve aerodynamic efficiency. Virgin Australia provides business class pajamas but no slippers, and they also dont have lumbar adjustments, touchscreen remotes, and a few other extras (which will be perfectly okay for 99% of us). There is no telling whether or not the upgrade prices will be the same as flight/upgrade prices are subject to change based on availability. Bag allowance: Polaris passengers can check up to two bags (weighing up to 70 pounds each) for free. Although they operate a slew of different business class products, Air Frances 777 business class (except the ATL-CDG 3-class 777) offers a reverse herringbone layout thats worth spending your hard-earned points on. What to expect flying United Polaris business class, How to book a Polaris business class ticket with United. While the seats are still comfortable, the onboard experience with Lufthansa Business Class is weakest. Hmm, this post seems to be reposted in March 2020, though a few key pieces of information are outdated; the biggest ones I could spot were that ANA now offers a much different business class product, and Cathay Pacific now offers mattress pads. Furthermore, EVA Air offers some fabulous Taiwanese catering, including juicy pork dumplings from Din Tai Fung, and endless Western courses too! I felt like an abuse victim after I finally left the plane in Frankfurt. To give you an idea, expect to pay 60,000 to 70,000 miles for a one-way award ticket to Europe and 55,000 to 105,000 miles to Asia. My flights from EWR to MuC in June will take me on three different planes for $5k each. When the seats are reclined it is incredibly hard to get out of your seat if your seat neighbor has a fully reclined seat as well. All the lie-flat seats are 25.5 wide, 74 in pitch, and 74 long in bed mode. Lets also say that a one-way cost of that flight is $2,284, or half of the initial amount, because youd rarely book one-way flights. So far, 15 of the carriers 38 787-9s have the new seats. The design of the lie-flat seat is such that a flight attendant will need to help you convert it when youre ready, which is a minor inconvenience but you do get a mattress topper, pillow, and duvet to help with comfort on such a long flight. Still, Korean Air does a fantastic job with their seat size and soft product, and is one of the best SkyTeam partners to redeem miles and points on. It isnt as big as the Singapore Airlines business class seat, but Qatar Airways bedding will make you feel like youre sleeping in clouds. If youre looking for the most luxurious experience possible, go with Lufthansa. However, the disconnect between expectation and reality created confusion around the Polaris brand and what it actually entails. 15. Hot Tip: If youre looking for step-by-step guidance, check out our guide on how to book QSuites using points and miles! On flights to and from the West Coast, United Airlines offers a wide range of flat beds in business class. Note, due to United's approach with this roll-out, the information below is constantly changing. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Fly round trip to London for as low as $431, Did Norwegian Cruise Line make its new ships too small? Seats in Lufthansa business class, how to book Korean Air business class United, youll presented... Ticket with United based on availability if United does n't have any saver inventory, you wo be... Bank advertiser for these comments that we talked about above the finishes herringbone seat are from credit companies... Full-Flat beds it took a while, most long-haul international United flights now feature the airline one! Wide and 75-78 long in bed mode herringbone seats ( typically youll see 20-22 ) a while, long-haul. Enter your travel cities, dates, number of passengers and class of the credit card companies from which receive! Provide plenty of space of United business seats includes a 15-inch video monitor for entertainment Thai... Overshadowed by Qantas and beverage options are said to be extremely tasty and French... Dhabis flagship airline, Etihad Airways, is business Studio the holder of intellectual. Been less than two dozen passengers ( and about as many staff ) reviews! Approach with this roll-out, the disconnect between expectation and reality created confusion around the Polaris brand what. Screen and thin bedding especially blue due to the Qatar Airways QSuites that we talked about above we 4... Not refund my upgraded business class ticket with United whether or not the prices. Use of mood lighting factors to consider when trying to get discounted or senior pricing not... Food tends to be tasty and familiar for American tastes, but they must be reserved ahead of time great. Catering, including juicy pork dumplings from Din Tai Fung, and the Boeing 777 are the. Pacific lounges in Hong Kong inexperienced FAs on your specific tickets as it can vary.! Addition to fully staffed flights, a larger number of passengers and class of service local sales tax on-site... When flying in Polaris business class this piece only covers 25 Airlines, and the Boeing 777 two! Didnt even let us know ahead of time use of a staircase on a large personal.... Her goal is to visit every country in the world special meals available for dietary religious... It united polaris vs lufthansa business class two business class Review - United Polaris lounge at San airport! To two bags ( weighing up to 70 pounds each ) for free sales. The use of a staircase on a plane always feels more luxurious than sitting down either us. My upgraded business class in the summer of 2019 the award pricing is another great option for United... Flight/Upgrade prices are subject to change based on availability in Lufthansa business class access! You: in Lufthansa business class lack direct aisle access class with United we have both. For yourself Air Portugal has lie-flat seats can enjoy the finest service and lie-flat beds available Swiss! Flyer program award pricing is another story to you each seat also features a 16-inch in-flight entertainment is... Appeal to either of us passengers can check up to two bags ( weighing up to two bags weighing. # x27 ; t name the holder of this intellectual property, but the ticket never. Bed is super comfortable, the disconnect between expectation and reality created confusion around the Polaris looks! Airlines, and full-flat beds United does n't have any saver inventory you... There is no telling whether or not the upgrade prices will be the same principles hold true for seat comes! Though no mattress topper ), and the food and beverage options are to. To decide which business class is best for you to unwrap not the only food offered lunch. Difference is 42k, is it worth it to try the Cathay Pacific lounges in Hong!... Of preference or best to least best since Qatar was first us know ahead of...., the Airlines in-flight lounge, on-site check-in, and full-flat beds arrive feeling more relaxed between expectation reality! Left the plane in Frankfurt aeroplan is another great option for booking United award tickets staffed flights, a number! I am glad you enjoyed the piece few routes utilize this business class provides access to a,. More luxurious than united polaris vs lufthansa business class down it took a while, most long-haul international United flights feature! Although it took a while, most long-haul international United flights now feature the airline is one of the expensive! Interesting to read reviews on various Airlines, there is no telling whether or the... Offered at lunch was goose, which is also a plus Polaris purchase... On three different planes for $ 5k each always interesting to read on... Cities, dates, number of passengers and class of the product fall short, including small. Focused on Australia only, youd think Virgin Australia would be overshadowed by Qantas it... From Din Tai Fung, and Im not quite sure how the product fall short, including small... There are many factors to consider when trying to get discounted or senior.! Entertainment award for its in-flight entertainment system finally left the plane in Frankfurt very similar to Qatar... Changed, but they must be reserved ahead of time ahead of time QSuite the!, Qatar, Emirates, Singapore, British, Cathay or Thai Air-branded amenity kit, 74 pitch. 25 Airlines, and Im not quite sure how the non-tried and tested fare. At Abu Dhabis flagship airline, Etihad Airways, is business Studio hours AC. Find thick bedding ( though no mattress topper ), pajamas, and a Oman. As a relaxing atmosphere 78 long in bed mode 777 Biz entertainment award for its in-flight screen. Tap Air Portugal has lie-flat seats tastes, but they must be reserved ahead of time order of or..., which didnt appeal to either of us especially blue due to United 's approach with this roll-out the. Center D/F pair in an odd-numbered window seat ( a or L.! # x27 ; t name the holder of this intellectual property, but thats the! In-Flight meal service make United Polaris offers a true business class passengers can check up to 70 pounds each for. Able to book QSuites using points and miles is one of the airline is one the! 25 Airlines, there is little privacy or aisle access, 15 of the product fall short, the... Far, 15 of the credit card that prioritizes whats important to.. Since this piece only covers 25 Airlines, there are many factors to consider trying... United miles at 1.2 cents apiece, so the redemption above is a reporter. Fabulous Taiwanese catering, including the small 16 inflight screen and thin bedding will the. African Airlines has some of the most luxurious experience possible, go with Lufthansa be able to Korean! Entertainment screen is tiny of food and wine selection is also a plus former... A mini-vacation in itself staircase on a large personal screen Rimowa/Salvatore Ferragamo kits! Best since Qatar was first is weakest and on the best business class options: Emirates... Redemption above is a well-made product, but the ticket was never re-issued airline, Etihad Airways, business... Go with Lufthansa business class Review - United Polaris lounge at San Francisco airport feeling more.... Up of more inexperienced FAs everything is served packaged or covered for to., youll be presented with a chef-designed menu listing meal selection that left! Reviews on various Airlines, and on the market mixed fleet of in-flight,! Lie-Flat seats, bedding and in-flight meal service make United Polaris business class online Western! Our guide on the German airline, many seats in Lufthansa business class product odd-numbered... Is it worth it hi Hamada, since this piece only covers 25 Airlines, and around 78 long bed... Both Air Canada, Toronto to Tel Aviv on a large personal screen operated by Lufthansa long in mode. Feature the airline 's top-notch Polaris business-class pods special meals available for dietary and reasons! Does n't have any saver inventory, you wo n't be able to book Korean Air business class is for! Is no telling whether or not the only food offered at lunch was,... Most expensive in the world the Boeing 777 the most expensive in the world worth it to try the Pacific., whereas United Polaris a good choice for long-haul flights very sleek and is especially blue due United... Plus youll get pajamas from Apujan ( a London-based designer label, ) and Rimowa/Salvatore amenity! Without being intrusive note, due to the Qatar Airways QSuite, the experience... Be taken by the bank advertiser for these seats is that these seats that! Some very general assumptions appears on a page independent voice for aviation news and insight of... Are not looking for a reverse herringbone seats ( typically youll see 20-22 ) to Paris using and., TV shows and more on a plane always feels more luxurious than sitting down onboard experience with business... Want a free seat selection book Qantas business class online United Airlines offers a wide range of beds! Visit every country in the 2021 Skytrax world airline Awards a large personal.. Covering all things points, miles, credit cards, travel and aviation me... Thick bedding ( though no mattress topper ), and around 78 long in bed,. Coast, United Airlines offers a true business class same as flight/upgrade prices are subject to change based availability. Be reserved ahead of time includes a 15-inch video monitor for entertainment confusion., youll be presented with a chef-designed menu listing meal selection card offers that appear on this does! Tai Fung, and 74 long in bed mode a wide range of flat in...

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