Review: United Boeing 777-300ER Polaris Business Class (Brussels to Washington)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Today: United Airlines Boeing 777 Polaris Business Class (Brussels to Washington)

I recently flew with United Airlines in Business Class onboard one of the carrier’s flagship Boeing 777-300ERs from Brussels (Belgium) to Washington Dulles Airport (USA). In 2016, United introduced a new Business Class product onboard its newly acquired Boeing 777-300ERs which it named ‘Polaris’ after the North Star (aiming to “offer a shining star of Business Class travel that flyers can turn to for a tranquil journey”). In summer 2023, more than seven years later, United finally finished its Polaris rollout and now offers a very consistent product: every long-haul international flight operated on a wide-body aircraft (Boeing 777, Boeing 767 and Boeing 787) offers lie-flat Polaris Business Class seats.

United’s Polaris Business Class seats are crafted as individual, forward-facing, suite-like pods, with direct access to the aisle and 180-degree flat-bed recline. Although they are a bit on the narrow side, the seats feel comfortable and have nice features such as a “do not disturb” sign, mood lighting, one-touch lumbar support, several storage areas, and multiple surfaces for simultaneous working and dining. Besides the hard product, United soft’s Business Class product is quite good as well and comprises Therabody amenity kits, plush Saks Fifth Avenue bedding (which ranks among the best bedding in the sky), and regionally influenced in-flight menus. Although United is an airline that many travelers love to hate, my flights with the carrier have always been a pleasure with great service and enthusiast crews (and that was also the case on this flight to Washington).

Have you ever flown with United Airlines in Business Class (Polaris)? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

Trip: Brussels (BRU) to Washington Dulles (IAD)
Airline: United Airlines
Aircraft type: Boeing 777-300ER
Aircraft registration number: N2140U (built in 2017)
On time departure: 12 pm (yes)
On time arrival: 2 pm (yes)
Miles: 3380 miles (6240 km)
Flight time: 8 hours
Seat: 1A
Class: Business Class

In this review (more information & photos below my YouTube video):

1. UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 777 FLEET

United is the flag carrier of the United States, serving more than 130 international destinations. With hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington DC, United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is also the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. Across both the Atlantic and Pacific, United serves more international destinations than all USA carriers combined and it does so with a large aircraft fleet which comprises 71 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 52 Boeing 767s, 60 Boeing 757s, and 96 Boeing 777s.

Here are some facts about United’s Boeing 777 aircraft:

United’s Boeing 777 fleet is a mix of B777-200s, B777-200ERs and the newer B777-300ERs (B77Ws)
Most of United’s Boeing 777s serve international routes, although some are also used for domestic hub-to-hub routes and flights to Hawaii.
United has been involved with the Boeing 777 since its development and was the launch customer of the aircraft type: Boeing delivered the first Triple Seven to United Airlines on May 15, 1995, a B777-200 with registration number N777UA (I previously published a trip report about my flight to Hawaii onboard this aircraft, which you can read here). The first commercial flight of N777UA took place on June 7, 1995, from London Heathrow Airport to Dulles International Airport.
The average age of United’s B777 fleet is 20 years. When ranked for the age of the aircraft, United Airlines is 69th on 79 airlines operating the Boeing 777.
United’s B777s are powered by two General Electric GE90 or two Pratt & Whitney PW4070/4090 turbofan engines, rated up to 94,000 pounds of thrust each.
With 96 Boeing 777s in its fleet, United is the 2nd largest Boeing 777 operator in the world. Emirates ranks first with 152 aircraft, and Qatar Airways is 3rd with 81 B777 planes in its fleet.

2. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN

United‘s B777-300ER features 350 seats: 60 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Plus seats, 62 Economy Plus seats, and 204 Economy seats. The 60 Business Class seats are located in the front of the plane and spread across two cabins: the forward Business Class cabin features 28 seats, while the rear Business Class cabin is a bit larger with 32 seats.

The Business Class seats are crafted as individual, forward-facing, suite-like pods, which are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, with direct aisle access for all passengers. In order to fit as many seats as possible, United staggers the seats side-to-side from row-to-row:

Odd-row center seats are fully forward facing and closer together with an electronic divider (which can be raised for complete privacy in case you’re seated next to a stranger). Even-row center seats are angled towards the aisle and feel a bit less private.
Similarly, odd-row window seats offer complete privacy since they are located right next to the window and fully forward facing, while the even-row center seats feel less private as they are not only closer to the aisle but also angled towards the aisle.

While United’s Polaris seat and layout were designed by Acumen, a London-based company that also delivered Etihad’s Residence suite, it was London-based company PriestmanGoode that created the look and feel of the Polaris product. The Business Class cabin in United‘s B777-300ER feels chic, elegant and stylish. which a soothing color palette of pink, light grey and the carrier’s signature blue hues.

UNITED BOEING 777 POLARIS BUSINESS CLASS — UNITED B777 POLARIS BUSINESS CLASS CABIN

3. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)

The United Boeing 777 Polaris Business Class seat is based on an original, patented seat layout concept invented by Acumen, which United is the exclusive North American licensee for. The comfortable seat has a width of 22 inches (55.9 cm) and a pitch (bed length) of 78 inches (198 cm).

Next to each seat is a large solid surface cocktail table and an enclosed storage area with latching door, headphone hook and mirror. The outer wall of the console features a handset for the inflight entertainment system, a USB port, the power outlets and a bespoke reading light. The armrest on the opposite side of the seat’s console holds a panel with the lighting & seat controls, which can be operated from any position.

Right in front of each seat is a 16 inch HD entertainment screen, which can be controlled by a wired handset or by directly touching the screen. Right underneath the TV is a drawer (which is large enough to store a laptop) and an ottoman or footrest which becomes part of the flatbed when the seat is fully reclined.

What are the best Business Class seats on United’s Boeing 777-300 aircraft?

The bulkhead seats in both cabins – more specifically in rows 1 and 9 – have wider footwells, making them the best seats on the aircraft.
Odd-row center seats are fully forward facing and closer together, making them the best seats for couples.
Odd-row window seats are fully forward facing and further away from the aisle, making them the best seats for solo travelers.

What are the worst Business Class seats on United’s Boeing 777-300 aircraft

Even-row center and aisle seats are angled towards the aisle and therefore feel less private.
Proximity to the galley and lavatory area might be bothersome for passengers seated the aisle seats in rows 6, 8 and 9.

Click here for a seat map of United’s Boeing 777-300 aircraft.

4. AMENITIES & BEDDING

Business Class passengers receive the following amenities on a United Airlines long-haul flight:

A Therabody amenity kit which is presented as a reusable belt bag made with recycled plastic. The kit holds an eye serum, face spray, hand cream and cleansing towelette, besides go-to amenities for arriving refreshed, such as a bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, ear plugs, socks and a pen.
Terrific Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, which includes select items that are made with recycled plastic, aligned with United’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact. The bedding includes a large pillow, a duvet, an extra cool gel pillow, as well as a limited-edition day blanket from fashion designer Claude Kameni. Kameni is a self-taught, Cameroon-native designer who won a competition to design the new United Airlines x Saks Fifth Avenue day blanket, as part of Saks’ designer accelerator program, The New Wave. Mattress cushions are available upon request.
Slippers are available on all flights, and customized United Polaris pajamas are available by request on flights longer than 14 hours.
United-branded noise-cancelling headphones which are of decent quality.

5. MEALS

United is currently in the midst of an ongoing journey to elevate the Polaris food and beverage offerings onboard. Over the past months, United added more than 20 new wine, beer and liquor brands to its menu, including award-winning brands like Whispering Angel, Groth, Caymus Mer Soleil and Tito’s, and will introduce additional brands later this year including JUSTIN Justification and Bell’s. United also brought back customer favorites like the ice cream sundae cart, added an appetizer service and introduced nearly 100 new menu items across all cabins and routes.

During my flight from Brussels to Washington, a lunch service was offered right after takeoff. I choose the following selection from the menu:

Salad: Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, croutons, tomatoes and cheese
Appetizer: smoked Nordic salmon with beetroot & horseradish tartare, lemon and dill sprigs
Entrée: halibut with lemon butter sauce, herbed new potatoes, blanched broccoli, and roasted patty pans
Assorted cheese plate with grapes & crackers

IMHO, the food was just ok for a Transatlantic flight. I was surprised (and a bit disappointed) that the starter, salad and main course were all served at once on one tray (although that may be to liking of those passengers who are fans of an express meal service).

During the flight, several snacks were on display in the galley, including sweet & savory snacks, fresh fruits, and grilled cheese toasties. One could also order sweet potato-cocout soup.

A light dinner was served approximately 90 minutes prior to arrival, with a choice between spiced tomato rigatoni pasta with basil pesto, Parmesan, mozzarella, and sun dried tomatoes, or a beef burger with caramelized onion and Chadder cheese on a brioche bun.

6. ENTERTAINMENT

Each Business Class seat is equipped with a 16 inch touchscreen monitor (which can also be controlled by a handset). The multilingual video and audio content includes an endless selection of the latest and most popular Hollywood films, TV series, animation films, podcasts, music and games. It also includes an interactive 3D-map with real-time flight information, as well as city guides.

7. ONBOARD INTERNET

United’s Boeing 777 fleet is equipped with onboard Wifi and the prices depend on where you’re headed and how long your flight is. The good news is that United offers free messaging on longhaul flights, so you can send messages from your favorite apps, including iMessage, WhatsApp and Messages by Google.

8. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES

# CREW: Many travelers are not fond of the service offered oby USA carriers (which is also evident from the comments placed on my Youtube videos of USA carriers). However, I don’t share this opinion, and I have always been taken care of very well during every flight, whether with American, United or Delta. The crew on this United flight was super friendly and very efficient.

# LAVATORY: The Boeing 777-300ER features 4 lavatories for the 60 Business Class passengers: two lavatories behind the cockpit and two lavatories in the galley between both Business Class cabins.

9. POLARIS LOUNGE AT WASHINGTON DULLES AIRPORT

After my arrival at Washington Dulles Airport, I spent a few hours in the Polaris Lounge while waiting for my connecting flight to New York. Located near gate C17 and open daily from 5:30AM until 10PM, the 21,000 square foot facility boasts the third-largest United Polaris Lounge in the airline’s network and is meticulously designed with detail and style in mind. Features of the United Polaris Lounge include 355 seats (including 42 pre-flight dining seats), 13 gender-neutral bathrooms, 6 spa-like shower suites with premium Sunday Riley health and beauty products, and suite-like rest spaces with Saks Fifth Avenue bedding. The lounge features a library where guests can enjoy a Washington DC-inspired decor, a bar area with a coffered ceiling, and a dining room behind lattice pocket doors (with a choice between à la carte dining or a buffet selection).