United Airlines B747-400 Polaris First Class PVG-ORD
The return from Shanghai on this trip to Taiwan originally was booked on an American 787-8. The idea flying JAL's 787 out and AA's 787 back made for a fun 787 25+ hours of flying. But that changed on June 2nd when United announced Polaris. With December 1, 2016 being D-day for Polaris, I wanted to try it. Star's aligned (pun intended) when I searched for PVG-ORD and came up with an available United first class seat on the exact day I wanted to travel. This was June 3rd and I ticketed it immediately. As you can see it was scheduled to be on a United 777-200.
A short time later the aircraft was changed to a 747-400. YES! Given the fact UA is retiring their 747's within the next 18 months or so, this might be a final time on that fabulous Queen of the Skies airplane. I love the triple 7, but for nostalgia purposes this was a great surprise. Plus I was flying EVA Airways soon to be retired 747 to PVG, so it was new 787's out and nostalgia 747's back. Anticipation was high.
Of course new Polaris seating would not be on this aircraft, only the so-called soft product. There are highlights and some misses. Bottom line to me, it is the most comfortable bed in the sky. And I've tried a lot of beds in the sky.
Let's have a look at Polaris.
United's laudry bill has increased exponentially.
I'm not fancying the white slippers, what was wrong with United's Rhapsody in Blue???
This is an amenity kit, not a day planner.
If there is a better amenity kit available I haven't seen it, and I have a closet full.
But I was most excited for this.
And they did not disappoint. Soft, warm and comfortable. Top of the list PJ's
The gel filled cool pillow. It must have worked as I slept 7 hours straight. An airplane first for me.
The larger of the 3 pillows provided.
There is more to Polaris, however here are my wins and losses on this flight for the Polaris soft product.
Wins
Pillows and Bedding. Outstanding
Pajamas. Outstanding
Amenity Kit. Outstanding
Wine Flight. Very creative and fun
Chocolates before and after. Nice touch
Flight Attendants. Energized on this flight to offer Polaris
Losses
Boarding. Nothing has changed
Food. Out of 6 flights on this trip, last, no contest dead last (except for dessert!)
Deplanning. Nothing has changed
Carrier: United Airlines
Date: 12/31/2016
Route: PVG-ORD
Flight #: UA836
Aircraft: Boeing 747-400 Tail# 8116
Configuration: F12 / J52 / E+ 70 / E 240
Seat(s): 2A
On Time: 30 minutes late partly due to PVG ATC
Reward Flying Rating: 5.9 out of 10 ✈
Reward Availability:
Rare
✔︎A bit of luck
Often
While United makes international premium saver rewards available, they aren't on par with ANA, EVA or some of the other *A partners. I felt fortunate to have secured this reward.
Value for Reward per redemption point:
Sky High: >.08
✔︎Great: 0.04-.08
Deal: .02-04
Poor: <.02
This fare retailed, one-way, for $5,343. That gave my points a redemption value of 6.6 cents which is strong.
Ticketing Process:
✔︎Online
Call
This reservation was made prior to the October changes in United's program. The route still appears on a search, but I made a no cost change leaving a day earlier from Taipei to see Shanghai. There's a good chance something like that wouldn't be available now and even though there is no change other than date/time, with the new rules there would be a charge. It's too bad. I fully understand United tightening their rules as they were probably too flexible, but now they've gotten too inflexible. Just my opinion.
Mobile App
✔︎Search for Rewards tickets
✔︎Book Ticket
Modifications
✔︎Checkin
✔︎Boarding Pass
United has the best mobile app of all 25 I have on my phone. And the competition is not even close.
Departure Lounge:
Go early
✔︎Typical
Stay at Gate
United uses Air China's lounge on the upper level of Terminal 2 at Shanghai PuDong airport. First class enters on the left and business enters on the right.
The lounge is nicely appointed with full service dining as well as comfortable chairs. As you can tell it was empty.
You can be seated for a for a full service meal and finish it off with one of my favorites for dessert, Sago Soup with Aloe Vera Juice.
Or if you prefer to snack there are plenty of sweets and a few hot selections.
In the back are showers, sleeping rooms and a VIP Room. I wasn't invited.
Oops, it wasn't me.
I love sprinkles on my desserts, especially ones that fly.
I found something fairly safe looking, but after circling the dining area twice I couldn't find a spoon so I can't tell you how good it was, or wasn't.
Arrival Lounge:
I was invited to visit the Polaris lounge after the flight. But international flights arrive at O'Hare Terminal 5 and the new Polaris lounge is in United's Terminal 1 Concourse C which meant a train ride, security and long underground walk. Those stars can wait.
Off to gate 59. Having flown well over a million miles with United, I'm all too familiar with their boarding process. Once in San Francisco the flight was delayed and the gate agent happily announced they couldn't find the plane. I was made Global Services when it first came out, years before United employees knew what it was (I'm not exaggerating). It wasn't until after I lost Global Services that they finally made priority boarding for GS members. Back then it was just first class. Given my history boarding United flights, the zoo that awaited me was not surprising.
Here is the "priority" line.
Here is the economy line. Notice the placards pleading for you to get in line.
Here are the placards for "priority" customers. Notice which way the young gate agent is hold the sign. He stood there holding the sign like this for 15 minutes, and this was after the mob behind him had formed.
But at least there was some entertainment.
Cabin:
Gorgeous
✔︎Attractive
What were they thinking?
Global First was innovative in its day. Kind of a reverse herringbone design. It's the nose of a 747. What more would you want?
You could fit 2 747 overhead bins in a single B787/A350 bin these days. Fortunately for me a flight attendant cleaned out this storage locker next to my seat and allowed myself and another passenger to use it.
Seat Comfort:
Just like home
✔︎Comfy
Get me off this plane
Okay, so the seat was a little worn. It was still comfortable. However I'm not sure what they were thinking with the original color design.
The IFE monitor is far away and small.
Aisle side armrest has a drink holder as well as storage compartment. Note to UA maintenance: On #116UA seat 2A, the lid needs adjustment. You have to pry it open with something, the button doesn't work.
A big compartment for the noise cancelling headphones.
Reading lamp and handy seat control for bed or upright positioning.
Compartment for stuff.
Lots of ports and seat controls, panel seems reversed don't you think?
Both armrests can be lowered for a wider seat/bed.
Sleep Comfort:
✔︎Like a Rock
Restless
Counting sheep
As mentioned, the Saks Fifth Avenue bedding was incredible. Like snuggling in your favorite cozy bed on a cold night with lots of comforters and pillows. Part of the Polaris offering was a turndown service that you request when they take your meal order. I wish I could have gotten a better photo of the bed, but it's dark and others are sleeping so no flash of course.
Cabin/Seats Rating: 7 out of 10 ✈
While the 747-400 cabin and seat pods are worn, the Polaris first seat was comfortable and I have to give extra points for a great sleep.
Amenities:
✔︎Pajama’s
Typical stuff
Why bother?
Super comfortable! One of the best airline sleepsuits I've gotten. But UA only gives these out on flights of 12 hours or more. I wonder what happens on the 11:55 scheduled flight from NRT to ORD?
Prior to landing a little red box was given to all in first class.
Beverage Menu:
An insert offered the beverages on this flight.
While Ayala Champagne may not be the most expensive on the market I found it quite satisfactory, not that I'm a connoisseur.
The wine flight is a great idea. For me the Italians won the competition with Washington a distant second and Spain breaking down in the first turn.
Food Menu:
Meals.
Presentation:
Fine dining
✔︎Nice try
Aluminum trays
Have to like the globe salt and pepper shakers.
Food Quality:
Compliments to the Chef
Fine dining with a miss or two
✔︎No rave reviews
Get me a meal from economy
The downhill slide begins.
United's starter. I won't show starters served on other international flights I've taken.
Maybe just one.
On par with Etihad, at least was the foie gras itself.
This is NOT rye toast, besides being stale.
Sometimes more is less.
A little lumpy.
What is growing on my beef tenderloin?
There it is, under the foliage.
I mentioned to my Flight Attendant Christine (who was great), that ordering tenderloin on a plane can be hit or miss. How'd they do?
Presentation, presentation.
Seriously?
Some sweet redemption!
And no, I didn't twist the plate for this 2nd view.
Prior to landing, back in the states over Minnesota, it was time for breakfast. I point out "back in the states" because doesn't this look like a domestic first class breakfast?
Well maybe minus the dragon fruit...
Sans the egg creation and un-flaky croissant it wasn't that bad.
Food/Beverage/Amenity Rating: 5.5 out of 10 ✈
A very generous rating inspired by the PJ's, amenity kit, wine flight and multiple desserts, not the food.
IFE: Rating: 3 out of 10 ✈ (ATC saved the day!)
Can I stay and watch some more?
Watched a favorite and went to sleep
400 cable channels and nothing to watch
✔︎Glad I brought my tablet
Nice headphones. I used them to listen to ATC which was the highlight of entertainment.
When it was available as the system kept shutting down and resetting. At least 3 times while I was awake.
Poor quality monitor on the Queen.
Limited selections of movies.
And a one screen airshow. (I thought United's airshow was better than this.)
Flight Attendants: 8 out of 10 ✈
✔︎Made the flight special
Did their job
Did they board?
Christine and the crew in first class were great on this flight!
Aircraft: 6 out of 10 ✈
Didn’t realize was on a plane
✔︎As expected
Time for a trade-in
What a grand aircraft it is. As I sat after dinner staring at the ceiling in the nose on this aircraft, I listened to the rush of the wind as we sliced through the air at 550 MPH. You don't hear that wind noise on the new 787 or A350 aircraft. Sure it's nice being quiet, but that wind noise sitting in front of the pilots is something that will never be forgotten.
United 747 #116 was making it's 3rd to last landing at O'Hare. It would do a round trip to PVG followed by one to Narita, landing back at O'Hare on January 4th, 2017. Next it will be re-deployed to SFO where it will finish it's career. I was lucky to be on this flight.
But the sun always sets.
Update: N116UA was officially retired having flown its last flight on 9/24/2017 from Seoul to San Francisco.
Comments: United has made great strides with Polaris. It's unfortunate they are removing first class from their fleet as I believe it has a place on these long haul flights, but they haven't asked my opinion. With new interiors and IFE equipment coming many of the problems on this flight will be resolved. Food is something else. I was greatly disappointed. Not only in the quality but the presentation. Maybe it was just this flight, hopefully it was just this flight. I'll be back to try again.
Flight Path
