We’ve gotta give United credit where it’s due. Up until now I’ve heavily criticized United for the abysmal rollout of their Polaris experience. The pace at which they’ve been reconfiguring planes and opening lounges has been disappointing, and on top of that United has made cuts to their Polaris experience already.
However, it seems like United finally has a renewed interest in rolling out this product more quickly, realizing the disappointment it has caused for customers. Actions speak louder than words, and now United is acting… finally.
A couple of weeks ago we learned that the United Polaris Lounge San Francisco will be opening on April 30, 2018, which is right around the corner. This is only the second Polaris Lounge United is opening, with the United Polaris Lounge Chicago having opened in December 2016.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago
Was this a one-off, or does United plan on continuing with their Polaris momentum? It seems like the latter.
The United Polaris Tracker shows that the United Polaris Lounge Newark is expected to open by early June. That’s a pretty exact time period that I’d put some weight on, given that up until now United has mostly only suggested seasons in which their lounges would open. While I wouldn’t assume this timeline is quite as accurate, United says that their Polaris Lounge Houston will open in the summer, and their Polaris Lounge Los Angeles will open in the fall.
That means by this fall we could see United operating five Polaris Lounges, which would be impressive.
When it comes to their premium lounge game, American had an early lead with their Flagship Lounges, as they opened four of them in a matter of months. It would be impressive if United could catch up within the next few months.
United has also announced an accelerated rollout of their new Polaris seats, as they plan on rolling out one Polaris equipped plane every 10 days through 2020.
United Polaris cabin 777-300ER
It’s great to see United finally get serious about Polaris!
EWR Polaris Lounge officially opens to the public on June 4, 2018.
Journalists can view it on May 31.
So great since I will be flying Polaris 777-300 to FRA on June 4th!!!
I have a feeling that once United buys Jet Blue, they'll open a Polaris Lounge in T5 at Idlewild (JFK).
@Evan I don’t even think transcon first gets access to the Polaris lounge.
Debit, would you like to spank my ass?
I understand London and Hong Kong because they are hubs for rival alliances, but I don't see much sense for Tokyo-Narita because there's ANA. Then again, more options is better.
Still too little too late from UA.
Still no definite plan for IAD Polaris Lounge...
@debit back to the classic antics, but anyways it’s more the other way around lucky was banned from MileagePlus.
The rolling out a new Polaris seat equipped plane every 10 days is an average, which likely means they will be rolling them out more frequently than that but heavily backloaded into late 2019 and 2020. Would guess it will be more like one a month through mid-2019.
Lucky you are the guy with leash around United's neck. United behaves because of you. Now go spank Oscars ass. He might like it.
Gel pillows coming to every seat starting May 1
Safe to assume this is only for Intl biz and transcon 1st (not for domestic first or with United Club passes)?