Polaris Reimagined: United’s New Food and Amenities Take Flight

At a media event today in Brooklyn, New York, United’s Chief Executive Officer, Scott Kirby, and Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Nocella, unveiled a new Polaris business class product and the all-new Polaris Studio product.

It’s not just the hard product getting a complete revamp, though. The airline also introduced a range of new onboard food, beverages, and amenities for its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, which will be delivered to the airline in the coming months.

New Food and Beverage Offerings

United hopes its new Polaris and Polaris Studio products will soon become best-in-class. One thing that will help achieve that goal is its new onboard dining options.

Chief Commercial Officer Nocella specifically mentioned during his remarks that onboard dining is something passengers remember — and that it needs to be refined.

Starting in the economy cabin, passengers on board aircraft with United Elevated interiors will be able to select from 3 main course options, up from the current 2. This gives passengers more choice, as they’ll be able to select from a beef, chicken, or vegetarian option during their flights.

Economy passengers will also enjoy salads with new dressing options, new desserts, and an appetizer (similar to the new amuse-bouche that Polaris passengers will receive) served before the lunch or dinner meal.

Moving to the front of the plane, Polaris passengers have much to look forward to. There will be an amuse-bouche consisting of Manchego cheese and an olive on a seeded lavash cracker. To accompany it, United will offer an Aperol Spritz. The airline will also exclusively offer a canned Aperol Spritz option later this year.

Polaris passengers will also see regional menus that change each month, a new selection of bread at breakfast time, new bottled salad dressings, and upgraded inflight snack baskets.

The offerings get even more extravagant if you’re lucky enough to score a Polaris Studio suite. Passengers will enjoy Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé and Ossetra caviar served on a gluten-free crisp with crème fraiche.

Polaris Studio suites will be in the first row of each business class section. Passengers will be able to preorder upgraded main course options, including surf and turf or lobster.

However, according to a food and beverage representative from United, the exclusive Polaris Studio menu options will only be available via preorder. If you want to select your meal until you’re on board, you’ll need to choose from the standard Polaris offerings.

This could be a stumbling block for passengers. First, Polaris Studio flyers will need to receive adequate notice before their flight that they have options available only through preorder.

Second, there could be an issue with irregular operations in which a customer must change flights, and the preordered meal doesn’t carry over to the new flight.

For dessert, United will debut a new signature sundae: vanilla ice cream, olive oil cake, and caramel sauce. I had a chance to try it at the event earlier today, and it was outstanding. I would have eaten the olive oil cake alone if I could have!

United said the sundae cart will feature a rotating selection of limited-time Tillamook ice cream flavors (along with the signature vanilla bean) and new toppings.

After dessert, passengers in Studio suites will also receive a specialty snack box filled with salty and sweet treats delivered to their seats.

Finally, United has rolled out new onboard dishware that includes new dishes, glassware, cutlery, linens, and seasoning. A red pepper shaker will be provided on all Polaris meal trays, allowing passengers to add spice to dishes according to their taste. This is a particularly neat addition, as it shows United recognizes that inflight meals lose some taste thanks to pressurization and taste buds becoming less sensitive at altitude.

Despite potential bumps regarding the Polaris Studio preordering system, it’s clear United is making strides to position its Polaris business class and Polaris Studio “business plus” products as the premier option among U.S. airlines with touches like caviar, Champagne, and upgraded entrees in its premium cabins.

New Inflight Amenities

Onboard, Polaris and Polaris Studio passengers will notice many new amenities to enhance the inflight experience.

All Polaris customers will have a complete set of Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, including a duvet, day blanket, large pillow, and a cooling gel pillow, for a comfortable night’s sleep — or a fantastic daytime nap. Polaris Studio passengers will receive an additional throw pillow for the ottoman in addition to what standard Polaris customers receive.

Amenity kits have also been revamped. Polaris Studio passengers will find their kit filled with Perricone MD creams and sprays, while standard Polaris flyers will find a slightly pared-down version. Either way, the products themselves looked and smelled premium and luxurious.

All Polaris passengers, standard or Studio, will get to use United’s new noise-cancelling headphones from Meridian. They are meant to provide a premium listening experience and are tailored to pair perfectly with the ultra-responsive HD screens throughout the Polaris cabins.

Polaris Studio passengers will have a few exclusive amenities, including a set of hoodie pajamas in sizes small/medium or large/extra large. Each set also comes with slippers and an eye mask.

Finally, Studio passengers get a deck of Polaris-branded playing cards.

This is a neat touch. Polaris Studios are specifically designed to accommodate 2 passengers, so they’re a great place to pass the time with a game of cards with a traveling companion to pass the time on a long-haul flight.

Final Thoughts

United Airlines is making major moves in its premium offerings to woo high-paying customers. Soon, you’ll find a whole new experience onboard select United aircraft, with new drinks, upgraded food options, hoodie pajamas, and more.

However, regardless of the cabin you’re seated in, you’ll see changes specifically designed to propel United past its U.S. rivals. Nevertheless, we’re excited to get on board a United Elevated aircraft as soon as possible to experience all of these changes for ourselves!