I recently had the wonderful opportunity to fly United’s updated Polaris Business Class on the 14 hour flight from Melbourne, Australia to San Francisco. It was a delightful experience overall, though there are areas where United could improve to compete with leading airlines like Qantas Airlines on similar routes.
That being said, the hard product United offers in Polaris on the 787 is amongst the best on this route, making it a solid choice for travelers seeking comfort and value – and far more importantly, sleep.
Booking Business Class from Australia to the US: Utilizing Points for Maximum Value
I miraculously managed to secure this United Polaris Business Class ticket from Melbourne to San Francisco for only 88.5K Air Canada Aeroplan Points plus CA$190.60.
At the time (and as they do a couple times a year), Air Canada was offering an 80% bonus for purchasing points and a 20% bonus for transferring points from Chase Sapphire, making the deal even sweeter.
Choosing Your Seat: The Quest for Perfection
When flying United’s 787-9 Polaris, choosing the right seat can make or break your experience. Odd-numbered window seats are a top pick for privacy, as they’re tucked closer to the window, reducing disturbances from flight attendants and passing passengers. These seats also offer a cozier cocoon-like feel, perfect for long-haul comfort (and sleep!).
Avoid row 9, located right behind the busy rear business class galley, which can be noisy. Rows 8 and 12 are also less desirable — row 8 is in front of the galley, while row 12 is near bulkhead baby bassinets. A crying baby right behind you would be a terrible waste of an expensive business class ticket!
Pro Tip: For an optimal experience, aim for odd-numbered window seats in the forward Polaris cabin, away from galleys and restrooms.
Checking in at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport: A Tale of Two Passports
Unfortunately, I was not able to check-in ahead of time with United as I used a different passport for the Australia ETA as for the flight back to the US. Thankfully, I breezed right by the extremely long economy check-in line at MEL via the Premier 1K line, where I practically walked directly to a counter to check in.
Pro Tip: If you’re a dual citizen, use the same passport for your Australian ETA and U.S. entry to avoid online check-in issues.
United has two closely-timed flights to SFO and LAX, so the check-in lines get quite lengthy, especially for economy passengers.
Lounges at Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport: Air New Zealand Lounge vs. Amex Centurion vs. Plaza Premier
Flying in United’s Polaris Class enables you access to the Air New Zealand Lounge, Priority Pass allows you to enter the Plaza Premium Lounge, and an Amex Platinum opens up the Centurion Lounge for exploration. As I had ample time and all 3, I decided to try them all out and compare.
The Air New Zealand Lounge
When I walked into the Air New Zealand lounge and saw a special coffee-order machines, I couldn’t help but try it out. It’s the first I’ve seen in a lounge. I could pick from options like decaf, soy milk, flat white vs. cappuccino, etc. The coffees are made by baristas, and they are truly hipster-level good coffees. I definitely can appreciate that.
They also offer quite typical bottled beer, various wines, great and plenty of showers (no signup needed, useful if you’re in a hurry), ample room, a printer, hot dishes, sandwiches and wraps, and pastries. The food is average to slightly above average, but I think restaurants still have better options.
I didn’t see any specific separate/private areas or compartments such as desks, offices, or meeting rooms to work in privacy. Nor was there any comfortable or private sleeping area in the Air New Zealand Lounge.
Amex Centurion vs Plaza Premier Lounge
While I was excited to try the Amex Centurion Lounge at Melbourne International Airport, it fell short of expectation. It’s run and operated by Plaza Premium, and apart from the beautiful entrance, the Centurion Lounge is actually slightly worse than the next-door, entry-level Plaza Premium lounge.
While the Amex Centurion Lounge is closed in and dark, the Plaza Premier Lounge offers windows, more room, and similar but slightly better food! Both have an espresso bar with a barista, but neither seem to have showers. Bathrooms are shared between the two, and despite both lounges being nearly empty, they were quite dirty and ill-equipped.
Verdict
Out of all the lounges I visited at Melbourne Terminal 2, the Air New Zealand lounge was definitely the best for its ambiance, amenities, and overall comfort – even if not extraordinary across the board.
Seat 1A on United’s 787 in Polaris: Extremely spacious, a gem for tall people
As I walked through door 2L of United’s gorgeous 787-9 and took a left turn towards seat 1A, I was very impressed once again by United’s Polaris offering and seat setup.
As I built my cocoon, I remarked on how large and spacious the seat felt. On other United aircraft (such as the 767-300ER), 1A is reserved for pilot crew rest, and I can see why. The footwell is full-sized and deep, and the seat itself is impressively large and long. United claims their Polaris seats offer 6’6″ (198 cm) of sleeping space, but it felt like it could accommodate even more.
I had access to not 1, not 2, but 3 windows for epic avgeek staring outside for takeoff and landing. The nice and sturdy tray table made working easy, and there was plenty of storage space and perhaps too many amenities.
A great place to sleep – well, mostly
The seat/lounger is supremely comfortable, with a smooth rolling motor, endless angles/positions, and an adjustable headrest. United offers two blankets (one is called a ‘day blanket’? I’m not bougie enough to know what that means), though neither blanket felt as substantial as I would have liked. The additional snuggle pillow was nice, however.
The only downside is 1A does point towards the galley, so a lot of light does come in. Depending on the level of excitement of the flight attendants that day, you might also experience some noise – a curtain would do a lot here. However, the front galley isn’t nearly as noisy as the rear galley, situated between rows 8 and 9.
The left forward lavatory is located next to the cockpit door, so I wasn’t bothered at all by other passengers.
Seat 1L in contrast is right behind a lavatory, and also points towards the galley, so it’s not as optimal.
There are rumors that United will update its Polaris business class seats with doors, which would be wonderful. Until then, just be aware of these potential downsides in row 1.
It’s not all perfect; where United really falls behind the competition
But there was one area where United really fell through – their attention to cleanliness. I was shocked by how dirty their Polaris class was. Every gap and crevice was filled with grime, dust, and dirt. Even the tray table was dirty. They seem to have completely let go of the Covid-era tidiness they used to offer.
The IFE is nice and sharp, but it somehow feels small compared to newer business class options such as what Qantas offers on their competing 787-9 on similar routes. It also lagged a bit, though the movie and TV selection was quite good, and I definitely enjoyed the flight map.
But us Avgeeks want – no, demand – cameras on the tail and maybe nose gear! I’d rather watch that than most movies. Why can’t everyone be like Emirates?
United’s Food Offerings: Getting Better and Better
I’ll start by saying that United has much improved its food offerings since my United experience last year on the 767-300ER from SCL-IAH. My tastebuds were delighted on multiple occasions on this flight, even if not as memorable as Singapore’s epic Lobster Thermidor.
I love seafood, and it seems that airliner steam-heat ovens do a fantastic job with salmon. I was absolutely delighted to find Roasted Tasmanian salmon fillet on the menu! Why other American carriers don’t offer a fourth option is beyond my comprehension.
But when the purser took my food order and asked me for a second choice, I was worried. I don’t think passengers paying several thousand dollars for a seat should have to select a backup meal. Can you imagine having to make a second choice at a fine dining restaurant?
Dinner
The chilled crab appetizer was decent, though the salad didn’t taste fresh or interesting. Luckily, unlike some competitors United doesn’t over-salt its warm nuts. They ended up being far more delicious than the crab appetizer.
The salmon was perfectly cooked – the exact temperature you want, moist, perfectly seasoned, one of those meals you want to pause your movie to savor. I’d definitely pick salmon on United every time.
I was also impressed by United’s sundae, with almonds, berry compote, caramel, chocolate, and more on offer. Much better than most carriers there too.
A superb mid-flight offering
And although I was excited to try United’s mix-and-match mid-flight service (which you can order anytime up to 2 hours before arrival), I was sadly far too focused on sleeping to remember to eat!
Breakfast
The breakfast frittata was surprisingly good, not greasy, with tasty sausages, potatoes, and a grilled tomato to keep the eggs company. The fruits were, much like the salad, not particularly fresh or great.
Pros:
- Main Courses: High-quality ingredients and preparation.
- Desserts: The customizable sundae with toppings like almonds and berry compote was a treat.
Cons:
- The pre-meal salad and fruits lacked freshness.
- Passengers are asked to select a backup meal, which feels out of place for a premium service.
The United App: Appsolutely Epic
Apart from the previously mentioned Australia ETA-related glitch not allowing me to check in online, United’s app is by far the best in the industry. From a built-in flight simulator to real-time flight updates, status bar countdowns, and an automatic seat selector that will select a better seat as soon as it becomes available, I’m in love with the United app.
United invested heavily in its technology, and it has truly paid dividends. There’s no better app to search for Star Alliance redemptions (such as the one I found here), and no app gives you as much information and as many tools as the United one does.
You’d think I work for United after complimenting their app so much, but I have no affiliation. I promise!
WiFi: I can’t wait until Starlink….
I paid $20 for access to WiFi on my iPad, and accessed free WiFi as a T-Mobile customer for my iPhone. Both were absurdly slow, although I’d say they worked 90% of the time I tried to use them.
Now, United is upgrading its WiFi service provider to Starlink. Until then, don’t expect to be able to get work done on any United transpacific flight still using Panasonic. The conversions will begin in 2025, so it might be awhile. This is one of many ways that United is showing it’s truly aiming to become the flagship carrier of the United States. (Take note, Delta).
Final Thoughts: A Solid Choice with Room to Grow
United’s Polaris Business Class offers excellent value, particularly when booked with points. The hard product, including the seat and dining, rivals competitors on Australia to US trans-Pacific routes. However, attention to cleanliness, WiFi upgrades, and small service tweaks could elevate the experience further.
For now, Polaris remains a compelling choice for travelers seeking comfort, practicality, and affordability on long-haul flights. I would not hesitate to book this same flight award deal again.
