Skip the waitlist and invest in blue-chip art for the very first time by signing up for Masterworks: masterworks.art/nonstopdan Purchase shares in great masterpieces from artists like Pablo Picasso, Banksy, Andy Warhol, and more. 🎨 See important Masterworks disclosures: masterworks.io/cd 😍 NEW GIVEAWAY: forms.gle/st5kNirwiSvdULy37
Banksy is way overrated. If I owned a wall and Banksy sprayed a graffiti on it I’d hire a cleaning crew to remove it. He’s the media’s darling and that drives up the price of his pieces. Once he loses their attention they will drop in price faster than a brick.
I really wish you wouldn't promote "investments" like Masterworks, Dan. While it is a step above promoting Crypto, it's still not great, and isn't a good look for your channel, in my personal opinion.
I fly United nearly exclusively. They get a lot of hate, some of it justified, but in general they're consistent. They've never left me stranded. I've had horrible experiences with Delta and American. Are their meals 5 star? No. But they'll get you from point a to b, fairly comfortably, and usually without fuss. They're not trying to be a Singapore or Emirates, but they don't need to be. They need to be the best option in the US.
Emirates is the signature representative of Emirati airlines that’s why they are the top on everything. United, an American airline (same with AA) should be like Emirates. The top.
@@christianbonilla2768 Emirates is not profitable my guy. They're completely government owned. United doesnt have the luxury of spending more money than they earn
I live in Denver, one of United's larges hubs (I think they have over 100 gates at DIA). I exclusively fly United simply for the availability of flights from Denver. I've never had a single issue with them and prefer them over all other US carriers. Internationally, however, I lean more towards Air Canada.
I flew United's 787-8 basic economy roundtrip Dulles-Athens this summer, and I was blown away. It probably helped that I had zero expectations going into the flight (I wasn't even expecting meals), but I was shocked by how comfortable the seats were, how good the food was, and how impressive the entertainment options were. United is really stepping up.
I mean I had expectations on my IAD to CDG flight last summer and I wasn’t exactly blown away, but had a positive experience. Food in economy tasted decent, hard product is awesome, and the 767 is a joy to fly on.
13:08 BRO FACTS. It's always surprising to me how every flight I'm on, everyone around me keeps their windows closed for pretty much the entirety of the flight - even for take off and landing! Like, bruh, don't be taking up window seats when YOU DON'T EVEN LOOK OUT THE WINDOW
Agree 100%. Flew to Europe earlier this year, United going and Lufthansa on the return, and was shocked that UA was the better flight experience. Times sure have changed!
As good as the in-air product is, an absolute gem for United Polaris is their airport lounges. Absolutely beautiful, incredible variety of food, including a sit down restaurant, and a terrific bar. And wonderful varied seating. They also have lovely shower facilities. The Polaris Lounge at SFO makes you want to get to the airport early to enjoy it.
I guess I’m just jaded, because on a recent visit to the O’Hare Polaris lounge before a flight in ANA Biz, I found it quite meh. Beautiful, I guess, but not better than a Centurion Lounge or any of the better priority pass lounges in Asia.
@@Starrynova You obviously haven't been in one of the Polaris lounges. When you travel Polaris Class then you have access to them. They are outstanding (SFO's is simply phenom). ORD's is a little small. EWR is nice but gets very crowded in the late afternoon early evening for all the flights to Europe / South America.
@@robertschrader You're right... ORD is actually the least impressive. Nice mind you, but not as great as the others. If you get a chance to check out SFO you'll be very impressed.
I was a bit nervous to watch this one but happy to see a positive review of United from you, I'm 2/3 of the way to million miler status and not starting over with Delta or AA! I was Continental Platinum when they merged with United and flew 92 segments during the merger year when customer service and computer problems were at its worst. The food used to be much better, it hasn't been the same since covid. Amanda and I took the inaugural Polaris flight about 5 years ago and they were offering actual appetizers and even wine tastings on board, but they've improved in other ways you mentioned. In my experience Polaris service is much friendlier than their reputations suggests and you're usually greeted by name but you've typically got to use that call button if you need anything after the meal service is over. I prefer the window shade open, let that beautiful natural light in please!✌
Heh! Myself and my family have flown United since before they even merged with Continental! We’ve been collecting miles basically since Star Alliance was established, and now we have well over 1.2 million 💀
Just flew ZRH - ORD on a B767 and was in the same seat as you. It was a very enjoyable flight with good service, decent food, and extremely comfortable seat/bed. I sleep like a baby in Polaris almost every time.
I have just returned from flying with United in economy Sydney to London via stopover in San Francisco. It was a pretty good experience- the crew were efficient, helpful & very kind to my 8 year old grandson. The seats were fairly comfortable & most of the food was OK. I found it easy to keep track of flight details, any gate changes etc via the United App. I would definitely fly with them again trans Pacific & Atlantic
Most of my friends fly Delta, and I’ll admit I did enjoy Deltas service and plane. But I have always flown United and they’ve always taken care of me. I normally upgrade seats so my flights with them are always comfortable and reliable.
I flew with United from Amsterdam to Newark in May and I had a great time on board. We even had a Dutch speaking steward on board (he works and lives in the US).
I’m pleased to hear some good reviews of our USA-based airlines. United is one the main airlines from Houston’s hub so I’m pleased to see this video review! Thank you!
United started a new route from my home city, Cape Town to Washington with the 787. First direct flight from Cape Town to the US. Hoping to fly this one day.
We flew Polaris business class in December 2019 from Houston to Frankfurt. It was brilliant. Even better, our flight was initially booked on the old United business class, and there was a plane change the night before.
Totally enjoyed my Polaris flight last week from IAD-BRU. The dessert cart was amazing! And the main courses were surprisingly good! Just hoping they bring back the separate appetizer course soon...
Thanks for a great review. I love the premium heavy layout of this 767-300, and in particular I think your seat by the window with a lovely view of the Pratt and Whitney PW4000 was a great choice!
Im taking my first business class flight on United in April to London. I was a bit skeptical at first since Ive heard some not so great things about it. But this recent review makes me now excited rather than skeptical. Thanks for the review
I'm a recently retired United 787 Captain and I was curious about your comment that "95% of United's staff is unhappy with management". Could you reply where you found that statistic because I've never seen or heard it. In fact, I would say that United's management team for the last 5 years has been pretty top notch. Otherwise, keep up the good work. Your airline service videos are really informative.
My guess is a culture that doesn’t allow or encourage or listen to the worker’s concerns. And you were a captain. Quite a different POV than the rest of the staff.
Another great video and Dan is spot-on about the technology and apps from AA, United and Delta. It's shocking how far behind other airlines are compared to US carriers. I do wish the US legacy carriers understood how flight attendants impact the in-flight experience. Maybe next time they renegotiate their union contracts they prohibit the most tenured and laziest flight attendants from working international business/first class. These US carriers have greatly improved their international business class product but their service from the flight attendants is hit or miss depending on who you get to work your side of the aisle. I really hope airline executives view Dan's videos because they are so darn accurate and truthful.
Flew Polaris on the 767-300 London yo Chicago and back this week, landing back at Heathrow this morning. Thoroughly impressive product. I'm a big guy and even managed some sleep on the red-eye last night. Food was great. Entertainment was great. Staff were attentive. Couldn't really fault it.
I flew from Rio to Houston couple weeks ago on Polaris (first time on this product) and had a very pleasant flight. Sure UA business doesn't compare to say EVA, Cathay, or Singapore, but it's a very decent product. I would not hesitate to fly Polaris again.
I’m glad to see United is striving to be a bit more compatible with other carriers in higher tier seats. I must say, I do not understand why everyone on American flights immediately lowers their shades for the entire flight….even on daytime flights. I feel extremely intimidated to open my shade. Also, a lovely give away. As always, you are extremely thoughtful and generous. Thank you 💕
Thanks for the review, just got a status match to my Qantas membership and will be making a number of flights with United in February….am quite looking forward to it now.
The tech aspect is true. With the new free Wifi upgrade on Delta and the possibility of viewing on board entertainment on our own device like an iPad or the phone on United was pretty spectacular to see. Plus the wifi speeds are amazing
This past summer I flew from DEN-ATL-PNS (A321 and 737-900ER) with Delta . Before we had only flown Frontier and United. The service on these flights were amazing. The flights went by quick because we watched movies the entire time. We decided that Delta being more expensive than Frontier is worth our money for many reasons.
Good points! I really have enjoyed United Polaris compared to Lufthansa, American, and Iberia. I think there's still a lot of room to improve the food, but if you order a special meal it's usually quite good. I hear the full service ice cream cart is coming back, which I have dearly missed.
United is gradually growing on me after seeing so many positive reviews from various TH-camrs. I've never tried their longhaul flights yet and have been equally avoiding them due to the reputation. I'll be pleased to try them myself next year.
I flew United Polaris from Houston to London last month. Was pleasantly surprised by the seat and amenities. Food and service were fine, but lacked refinement, and I was surprised that dinner was served on a single tray. May have to try them more, even though in the past I have found them inconsistent.
Polaris really has seemed geared towards business travelers, in my opinion. This is not a bad thing. As you said, it’s not GREAT, it’s definitely not Emirates but it doesn’t try to be- it’s a very comfortable seat, with (usually) good food (now even in shorter haul domestic routes) and very good IFE. I think it’s good value for your miles and for a very long haul trip, all I want is NOT to be in economy- so Polaris more than fits the bill!
Flew polaris for the first time last night and instantly took pics of the little death star salt and pepper shakers. Flee EWR to Dublk In and loved it. Qualified for silver and got upgraded same day. My meals definitely looked a step above yours in the video so maybe things have improved. Ans there was a wine list on the back of the menu.
Planning a trip to Europe sometime this spring... I'm fixing to give United's Polaris a shot on the transatlantic leg between Denver & Frankfurt. The only thing more awesome would be to get seated near a TH-cam flight reviewer like yourself!
I flew on the same type of plane as you did - the premium-heavy 767-300 - in Economy, from Geneva (GVA) to Washington (IAD). That flight was very enjoyable with comfortable economy seats and friendly service.
United is doing a good job. The 787 and 767 all now have the newer seating. Most of the 777 do also except the high density. 2023 will be a big year for United. I believe all labor contracts will get done and a re-fresh of the food is underway. The United app hands down is the best of any airline in the world. I love the Polaris lounges also, very relaxing!
another thing that United needs is luck, namely with supply chain. In 2021, they announced plans to retrofit their 737s. That hasn’t started yet, and according to a PaxEx Aero, it’s because of supply chain issues from Panasonic (IFE manufacturer), which United has no reasonable control over. in their long-haul portfolio, the slowness of United’s Polaris retrofits was also caused by factors that no airline could reasonably foresee, such as supply chain issues from Safran (seat manufacturer), Covid, PW engine issues, and the halt of Boeing 787 deliveries. for their long-haul portfolio, United is starting to get lucky. PW engine issues resolved, Boeing resumes 787 deliveries, and Safran can competently manufacture seats. United wants to see faster retrofits as much as their customers do, but the things that slow them down are beyond their reasonable control.
I enjoy your informative videos about flying. When planning travel for the next year, I will reduce the number of trips just so I can fly up front. At 6’4”, a ride over a couple hours is guaranteed to throw my back out if I ride in economy class. If a destination is commanding a cost premium in business class, I either change my destination or add a stop so I can arrive feeling my best. Generally, I prefer United over the other US airlines. There was a time when I was intrigued by British Airways’ business class, so I flew them to Istanbul from Houston via London. Sure was awful. United is my tried and true favorite.
I recently took a flight where I made a last minute change from a United 767 to a Swiss A340 and you're making me regret my choice! Swiss was more direct though and I was able to snag a bulkhead seat, so was worth it. Good to know Polaris lie flat is more comfortable though.
With numerous trips to Europe, I fly united for the star alliance lounges. Gold member. My biggest complaint is the Polaris lounges Newark and Dulles are insanely overcrowded. Most recent in Newark, may 5, came into an empty lounge, went to the bathroom and came back to a fully loaded lounge. I ate standing up. Not the only time. I’ll be at Dulles in sept so maybe I’ll get lucky
Great video as always Dan. I flew on United’s 777-200 from Milan to EWR in economy and the aircraft unfortunately didn’t have individual air vents in any cabin. They also made everyone shut their window shades for 80% of the flight. I felt like I was going to go crazy cause I need the window open on a day flight.
I think you will find that all the larger Boeing wide bodies do not have air vents. That design is not unique to United. The reason is that the ceiling is too high to reach vents if they were installed.
Only the EX Continental 777s do not have air vents (GE 90 Engines). The pre merger United 777s (all P&W engines), have air vents. This was legacy of the Continental penny pinch mentality - They saved $200k per plane to suppress the optional air vents,
I've been watching your reviews for years and I have to say, this one really surprised me. I'll take a closer look at using UA Polaris for my next TATL. Thanks, Dan.
I am an United global services… while they are not as good as the likes of SQ, I love United because they have consistent service (in a good way) and they take care of the GS customers.
United is the de facto US flag carrier with much more international service than Delta or American, has a great frequent flyer program and offers frequent departures from my local airport, so I want to love them. Last time I flew Polaris from Zürich to JFK the seat was filthy and the tenured staff scoffed at me when I asked for a wet rag to clean it up. Consistency matters. Glad you had a better experience!
I think the theme for US carriers is that they have competitive hard products and the best in technology, but the soft product is still somewhat lacking. Individual air vents are a plus, and US carriers have them on most but not all of their planes. United's 767-400s, and GE powered 777-200s lack them.
I use united / star alliance forever. I agree has its ups and downs. International flights seems way different with service and flight crew. Lastly..Last week I got a signed card on my seat welcoming me to the million miler club. Honestly haven’t noticed anything different lol. That day 3 777’s -200 from DEN to IAD were broke. I must say the staff did bring out water and snacks for everyone and gave meal vouchers I think for $15.00. The morel of the story is I couldn’t leave the gate and sit /relax in the lounge because they made us feel that each plane could board any min. 8 hours later ..we did. I should of trusted my gut and found another united flight. A triple 7 first class I guess was more important 😢
I flew united polaris last year from london to chicago and it was pretty nice. Compared to my usual BA old club world, the seat was better, food was about the same, drink was worse, service was about the same or worse. The polaris lounge in chicago is fantastic if you're connecting onwards, but if you're ending your trip in chicago you can't access it as it's airside. When BA finishes upgrading to new club world, I'll probably stick with BA full time.
I have to agree, United has come a long way. I live in northern Vermont; closest major airport is Montreal, so I flew out of there to Amsterdam a couple of months ago. Lufthansa on the way over (to Frankfurt, then back to Amsterdam). Return flight was on United, via Newark. In both cases I had seats at the front of the economy cabin, but the Lufthansa A340 still felt cramped, the seat was uncomfortable, the food was poor (and there was only one choice), and the entertainment system was terrible, with earbuds that only worked on the left channel and sounded like they were wrapped in a towel. By contrast, my United flight back was surprisingly pleasant. My similar seat on the 777 was much more comfortable and roomy, the food was actually quite tasty for economy class, and the entertainment system was great. I did actually stream the movie through my iPhone, because that meant I could use my AirPods Pro so sound quality was very good. My only complaint with the return flight was not United’s fault: upon arrival in Newark, I had to go through US customs even though I wasn’t stopping in the US at that point but just connecting through to Canada. Then of course I had to go through Canadian customs upon arriving there… and then once I’d retrieved my car, I had to go through US customs again when crossing the border on my drive home. Going through customs three times is a bit tiresome.
Something I think about a lot is as more airlines are building this little suite style seating in business and first, the entrance into these suites are often quite narrow. What’s the point in having a 22-26 in comfortable seat is the entryway into the seat is only 16 inches? I know it’s not a big deal for thin folks but it seems counter intuitive & acts as a barrier for anyone with wide hips.
This is so cool! I’ve never heard of this general, but I want to check out more. How is it his full-time job though, if he says all of it has been fully funded by him 🤔 may be writing reviews or some thing?
I've been catching up on Avgeek videos because I have to go back tot he US for an important family event. I haven't flown United since 2011, and at the time I wasn't happy with their service. It seams they've changed a lot. Your video is the second video that is less than a year old talking good about them. Maybe I'll give them a try. Right now I prefere Delta over American or BA, because of the great service I've gotten four flights in a row between FRA or AMS and various cities in the US, just it isn't easy to get a flagship seat. Looks like United has bot good seats and service.
Now that United has brought back appetizers and the dessert cart, can you do an updated Polaris review? Just not from due to all their traffic congestion.
So what you were saying was if the flight attendants could do anything to make your flight more comfortable their demeanor said, "Please hesitate to ask."
I must agree - the United app is great, especially if you compare it to the one LH created and which is never working properly. And yes, Polaris is a good product and since I´m used to the rather not-so-good-food on US airlines, I can handle that easily. There is always a lounge nearby to enjoy a better meal.
Of the American carriers I tend to fly on (but I have poor taste cause I actually really like Lufthansa but last time I flew them was MUC-BOS in Feb. 2020) I far prefer United over Delta or American. I'm almost always on transatlantic flights based out of Boston, JFK or EWR, with mostly flying from Boston since the before times. I had a fantastic flight in Premium Economy on a recent BOS-LHR/LHR-BOS on United's 767-300ER at the end of Oct. 2022 - it was great for what it was - glad I didn't pay up for Polaris, and had a subpar seat on my way to London (21A) that I was scheduled to also be on for the return flight. I was fortunately able to change my seat for my return trip (22G) on the United app before we even started our descent into Heathrow. Delta is better, but the BA of American carriers imo when it comes to price (ie overpriced af) Can't wait to try Turkish normal economy on a trip in March to Vienna from BOS via the new Istanbul Airport. May even get to try Qatar or Emirates from PHL to NBO either for Christmas in a few weeks or next fall, with my Dad for our Heritage trip back to where he grew up and when the last time I visited I was 4 & 1 month old.
I agree with you, wondering why so many people slam the window shade closed from start to finish. Why sit in the dark when you could be enjoying some breathtaking views? I don't get the allure of a dark aircraft cabin over the grandeur of Mother Nature.
Just finished the 17.5 hour SFO-SIN flight in Polaris. One comment that you mentioned which needs to be addressed is that the FAs never clean the restrooms. Other than that, I absolutely LIVE for the Saks bedding. I've put in a lot of miles in Polaris and, you're right, the service and food has improved over the past few years. Emerging from COVID, United is finding their footing and I feel like they're really making an effort. If only they'd fix their upgrade system to something more transparent so that Plus Points and miles actually mean something. Great video, Dan! Greetings from Phnom Penh and happy Thanksgiving!
So much of your review mentions things I never get from other international airlines: the same meal served twice, the indifferent cabin crew…no comparison to what modern Asian airlines offer, for instance.
I few in economy in this configuration from Zurich to Dulles because of a last moment flight change, and oof. The IFE and service was singly the worse trans-Atlantic experience I had ever had. I hope the improvements in Polaris on this route also trickled down to the rest of the plane to some semblance of improvement. (Mind you, I am comparing this to flights on budget-oriented French Bee, defuct Wow and Primera, as well as its extant mainline carriers. So to say this was bad puts it underneath sardine cans in the sky, or Air France ;), says a lot.)
I flew the United Polaris from ORD to HND and return. I found the seats claustrophobic and casket like. I'm 6'2" and could not sleep, too narrow and footwell too small. What a disappointment. Never again. I
My wife and I flew United First from New York to Hawaii and Hawaii to LA for our honeymoon. United was MILES above BA!!! The seat was clean, and the crew was super friendly (even gave me a second warm melty cookie) If I could Fly United to the US from Glasgow Scotland every time I would!!! But alas my only options are connecting via Heathrow with BA or Frankfurt with Lufthansa or Amsterdam with KLM I fly A LOT for work and all 3 sucks 😒
Oh Dan, you let my secret out :) I fly American, Lufthansa and United to Tel Aviv about 4 times a year. Polaris is good and getting better each trip. I prefer United to Lufthansa for sure!
As an American I have this unfounded idea that "if it's foreign it must be better". United really isn't that bad at all. Polaris lounges are great. The seats were innovative when they were introduced and still great today. The food is OK - typical western, nothing exotic or exciting. Service is very casual and lacks the formality I like when flying Asian carriers. Overall it's much better than my low expectations.
Skip the waitlist and invest in blue-chip art for the very first time by signing up for Masterworks: masterworks.art/nonstopdan
Purchase shares in great masterpieces from artists like Pablo Picasso, Banksy, Andy Warhol, and more. 🎨
See important Masterworks disclosures: masterworks.io/cd
😍 NEW GIVEAWAY: forms.gle/st5kNirwiSvdULy37
Yeah. Not skipping the waitlist at all.
Banksy is way overrated. If I owned a wall and Banksy sprayed a graffiti on it I’d hire a cleaning crew to remove it. He’s the media’s darling and that drives up the price of his pieces. Once he loses their attention they will drop in price faster than a brick.
I really wish you wouldn't promote "investments" like Masterworks, Dan. While it is a step above promoting Crypto, it's still not great, and isn't a good look for your channel, in my personal opinion.
@@greggmacdonald9644 ITS A SCAM COMPANY!!!
Please tell me you're offsetting your emissions...
I fly United nearly exclusively. They get a lot of hate, some of it justified, but in general they're consistent. They've never left me stranded. I've had horrible experiences with Delta and American. Are their meals 5 star? No. But they'll get you from point a to b, fairly comfortably, and usually without fuss. They're not trying to be a Singapore or Emirates, but they don't need to be. They need to be the best option in the US.
Emirates is the signature representative of Emirati airlines that’s why they are the top on everything. United, an American airline (same with AA) should be like Emirates. The top.
@@christianbonilla2768 that would not be profitable
@@christianbonilla2768 Emirates is not profitable my guy. They're completely government owned. United doesnt have the luxury of spending more money than they earn
@@christianbonilla2768 government-funded carrier vs one that's responsible to shareholders are two very different things
I live in Denver, one of United's larges hubs (I think they have over 100 gates at DIA). I exclusively fly United simply for the availability of flights from Denver. I've never had a single issue with them and prefer them over all other US carriers. Internationally, however, I lean more towards Air Canada.
I flew United's 787-8 basic economy roundtrip Dulles-Athens this summer, and I was blown away. It probably helped that I had zero expectations going into the flight (I wasn't even expecting meals), but I was shocked by how comfortable the seats were, how good the food was, and how impressive the entertainment options were. United is really stepping up.
Pretty sure not serving meals in an intercontinental flight and starving passengers is against the rules. Not sure why your expectations are so low.
All international flights definitely give meals no matter what.
I mean I had expectations on my IAD to CDG flight last summer and I wasn’t exactly blown away, but had a positive experience. Food in economy tasted decent, hard product is awesome, and the 767 is a joy to fly on.
13:08 BRO FACTS. It's always surprising to me how every flight I'm on, everyone around me keeps their windows closed for pretty much the entirety of the flight - even for take off and landing!
Like, bruh, don't be taking up window seats when YOU DON'T EVEN LOOK OUT THE WINDOW
Agree 100%. Flew to Europe earlier this year, United going and Lufthansa on the return, and was shocked that UA was the better flight experience. Times sure have changed!
As good as the in-air product is, an absolute gem for United Polaris is their airport lounges. Absolutely beautiful, incredible variety of food, including a sit down restaurant, and a terrific bar. And wonderful varied seating. They also have lovely shower facilities. The Polaris Lounge at SFO makes you want to get to the airport early to enjoy it.
I guess I’m just jaded, because on a recent visit to the O’Hare Polaris lounge before a flight in ANA Biz, I found it quite meh. Beautiful, I guess, but not better than a Centurion Lounge or any of the better priority pass lounges in Asia.
But not available to Priority card holders such as me.
Lol you must be a United bot, their lounges are very average
@@Starrynova You obviously haven't been in one of the Polaris lounges. When you travel Polaris Class then you have access to them. They are outstanding (SFO's is simply phenom). ORD's is a little small. EWR is nice but gets very crowded in the late afternoon early evening for all the flights to Europe / South America.
@@robertschrader You're right... ORD is actually the least impressive. Nice mind you, but not as great as the others. If you get a chance to check out SFO you'll be very impressed.
I was a bit nervous to watch this one but happy to see a positive review of United from you, I'm 2/3 of the way to million miler status and not starting over with Delta or AA! I was Continental Platinum when they merged with United and flew 92 segments during the merger year when customer service and computer problems were at its worst. The food used to be much better, it hasn't been the same since covid. Amanda and I took the inaugural Polaris flight about 5 years ago and they were offering actual appetizers and even wine tastings on board, but they've improved in other ways you mentioned. In my experience Polaris service is much friendlier than their reputations suggests and you're usually greeted by name but you've typically got to use that call button if you need anything after the meal service is over. I prefer the window shade open, let that beautiful natural light in please!✌
it is weird when you look at the crap he eat...
Hello fellow Continental refugee!
Heh! Myself and my family have flown United since before they even merged with Continental! We’ve been collecting miles basically since Star Alliance was established, and now we have well over 1.2 million 💀
5:36 I like that "bar" configuration for the seat controls. It's sleeker than the "schematic" kind
Just flew ZRH - ORD on a B767 and was in the same seat as you. It was a very enjoyable flight with good service, decent food, and extremely comfortable seat/bed. I sleep like a baby in Polaris almost every time.
I have just returned from flying with United in economy Sydney to London via stopover in San Francisco. It was a pretty good experience- the crew were efficient, helpful & very kind to my 8 year old grandson. The seats were fairly comfortable & most of the food was OK. I found it easy to keep track of flight details, any gate changes etc via the United App. I would definitely fly with them again trans Pacific & Atlantic
Most of my friends fly Delta, and I’ll admit I did enjoy Deltas service and plane. But I have always flown United and they’ve always taken care of me. I normally upgrade seats so my flights with them are always comfortable and reliable.
I flew with United from Amsterdam to Newark in May and I had a great time on board. We even had a Dutch speaking steward on board (he works and lives in the US).
I’m pleased to hear some good reviews of our USA-based airlines. United is one the main airlines from Houston’s hub so I’m pleased to see this video review! Thank you!
United started a new route from my home city, Cape Town to Washington with the 787. First direct flight from Cape Town to the US. Hoping to fly this one day.
We flew Polaris business class in December 2019 from Houston to Frankfurt. It was brilliant. Even better, our flight was initially booked on the old United business class, and there was a plane change the night before.
Totally enjoyed my Polaris flight last week from IAD-BRU. The dessert cart was amazing! And the main courses were surprisingly good! Just hoping they bring back the separate appetizer course soon...
The separate appetiser is back!
Thanks for a great review. I love the premium heavy layout of this 767-300, and in particular I think your seat by the window with a lovely view of the Pratt and Whitney PW4000 was a great choice!
Im taking my first business class flight on United in April to London. I was a bit skeptical at first since Ive heard some not so great things about it. But this recent review makes me now excited rather than skeptical. Thanks for the review
Im also taking my first business class flight on united to london, in early may. Have fun!
@@mrcrazyvid1 I think United is a good introduction to flying business class. Im excited to try it. Have fun as well!
I'm a recently retired United 787 Captain and I was curious about your comment that "95% of United's staff is unhappy with management". Could you reply where you found that statistic because I've never seen or heard it. In fact, I would say that United's management team for the last 5 years has been pretty top notch. Otherwise, keep up the good work. Your airline service videos are really informative.
My guess is a culture that doesn’t allow or encourage or listen to the worker’s concerns. And you were a captain. Quite a different POV than the rest of the staff.
Another great video and Dan is spot-on about the technology and apps from AA, United and Delta. It's shocking how far behind other airlines are compared to US carriers. I do wish the US legacy carriers understood how flight attendants impact the in-flight experience. Maybe next time they renegotiate their union contracts they prohibit the most tenured and laziest flight attendants from working international business/first class. These US carriers have greatly improved their international business class product but their service from the flight attendants is hit or miss depending on who you get to work your side of the aisle. I really hope airline executives view Dan's videos because they are so darn accurate and truthful.
Flew Polaris on the 767-300 London yo Chicago and back this week, landing back at Heathrow this morning. Thoroughly impressive product. I'm a big guy and even managed some sleep on the red-eye last night. Food was great. Entertainment was great. Staff were attentive. Couldn't really fault it.
I flew from Rio to Houston couple weeks ago on Polaris (first time on this product) and had a very pleasant flight. Sure UA business doesn't compare to say EVA, Cathay, or Singapore, but it's a very decent product. I would not hesitate to fly Polaris again.
I’m glad to see United is striving to be a bit more compatible with other carriers in higher tier seats. I must say, I do not understand why everyone on American flights immediately lowers their shades for the entire flight….even on daytime flights. I feel extremely intimidated to open my shade. Also, a lovely give away. As always, you are extremely thoughtful and generous. Thank you 💕
Thanks for the review, just got a status match to my Qantas membership and will be making a number of flights with United in February….am quite looking forward to it now.
Props to you Dan for helping someone get back together with their family with the giveaway!
The tech aspect is true. With the new free Wifi upgrade on Delta and the possibility of viewing on board entertainment on our own device like an iPad or the phone on United was pretty spectacular to see. Plus the wifi speeds are amazing
This past summer I flew from DEN-ATL-PNS (A321 and 737-900ER) with Delta . Before we had only flown Frontier and United. The service on these flights were amazing. The flights went by quick because we watched movies the entire time. We decided that Delta being more expensive than Frontier is worth our money for many reasons.
Good points! I really have enjoyed United Polaris compared to Lufthansa, American, and Iberia. I think there's still a lot of room to improve the food, but if you order a special meal it's usually quite good. I hear the full service ice cream cart is coming back, which I have dearly missed.
Can confirm ice cream cart is back. Flew Polaris round trip to Europe in March
United is gradually growing on me after seeing so many positive reviews from various TH-camrs.
I've never tried their longhaul flights yet and have been equally avoiding them due to the reputation. I'll be pleased to try them myself next year.
I flew United Polaris from Houston to London last month. Was pleasantly surprised by the seat and amenities. Food and service were fine, but lacked refinement, and I was surprised that dinner was served on a single tray. May have to try them more, even though in the past I have found them inconsistent.
Polaris really has seemed geared towards business travelers, in my opinion. This is not a bad thing. As you said, it’s not GREAT, it’s definitely not Emirates but it doesn’t try to be- it’s a very comfortable seat, with (usually) good food (now even in shorter haul domestic routes) and very good IFE. I think it’s good value for your miles and for a very long haul trip, all I want is NOT to be in economy- so Polaris more than fits the bill!
Flew polaris for the first time last night and instantly took pics of the little death star salt and pepper shakers. Flee EWR to Dublk
In and loved it. Qualified for silver and got upgraded same day. My meals definitely looked a step above yours in the video so maybe things have improved. Ans there was a wine list on the back of the menu.
Fantastic review Nonstop Dan! You are my favourite flight reviewer! Keep up the amazing work!
Flying Polaris from Houston to Sydney in May. Haven't seen a bad review of it yet. Thanks for the information
Planning a trip to Europe sometime this spring... I'm fixing to give United's Polaris a shot on the transatlantic leg between Denver & Frankfurt. The only thing more awesome would be to get seated near a TH-cam flight reviewer like yourself!
Very good! I love the way you balance the negative and positives. Some of these «flight review channels» tend to lean towards either…
I flew on the same type of plane as you did - the premium-heavy 767-300 - in Economy, from Geneva (GVA) to Washington (IAD). That flight was very enjoyable with comfortable economy seats and friendly service.
The lavatory of the 767 was extremely spacious - actually designed to fit humans!
United is doing a good job. The 787 and 767 all now have the newer seating. Most of the 777 do also except the high density. 2023 will be a big year for United. I believe all labor contracts will get done and a re-fresh of the food is underway. The United app hands down is the best of any airline in the world. I love the Polaris lounges also, very relaxing!
another thing that United needs is luck, namely with supply chain. In 2021, they announced plans to retrofit their 737s. That hasn’t started yet, and according to a PaxEx Aero, it’s because of supply chain issues from Panasonic (IFE manufacturer), which United has no reasonable control over. in their long-haul portfolio, the slowness of United’s Polaris retrofits was also caused by factors that no airline could reasonably foresee, such as supply chain issues from Safran (seat manufacturer), Covid, PW engine issues, and the halt of Boeing 787 deliveries. for their long-haul portfolio, United is starting to get lucky. PW engine issues resolved, Boeing resumes 787 deliveries, and Safran can competently manufacture seats. United wants to see faster retrofits as much as their customers do, but the things that slow them down are beyond their reasonable control.
I enjoy your informative videos about flying. When planning travel for the next year, I will reduce the number of trips just so I can fly up front. At 6’4”, a ride over a couple hours is guaranteed to throw my back out if I ride in economy class. If a destination is commanding a cost premium in business class, I either change my destination or add a stop so I can arrive feeling my best. Generally, I prefer United over the other US airlines. There was a time when I was intrigued by British Airways’ business class, so I flew them to Istanbul from Houston via London. Sure was awful. United is my tried and true favorite.
Keep promoting Oskar and Dan through this channel. It's an awesome channel and it's worth more!
I recently took a flight where I made a last minute change from a United 767 to a Swiss A340 and you're making me regret my choice! Swiss was more direct though and I was able to snag a bulkhead seat, so was worth it. Good to know Polaris lie flat is more comfortable though.
With numerous trips to Europe, I fly united for the star alliance lounges. Gold member. My biggest complaint is the Polaris lounges Newark and Dulles are insanely overcrowded. Most recent in Newark, may 5, came into an empty lounge, went to the bathroom and came back to a fully loaded lounge. I ate standing up. Not the only time. I’ll be at Dulles in sept so maybe I’ll get lucky
Your description of the actual SERVICE on United business class is what I remember the last time I flew the same....8 years ago.
Great video as always Dan. I flew on United’s 777-200 from Milan to EWR in economy and the aircraft unfortunately didn’t have individual air vents in any cabin. They also made everyone shut their window shades for 80% of the flight. I felt like I was going to go crazy cause I need the window open on a day flight.
I think you will find that all the larger Boeing wide bodies do not have air vents. That design is not unique to United. The reason is that the ceiling is too high to reach vents if they were installed.
Only the EX Continental 777s do not have air vents (GE 90 Engines). The pre merger United 777s (all P&W engines), have air vents. This was legacy of the Continental penny pinch mentality - They saved $200k per plane to suppress the optional air vents,
@@tuolumne9 oh interesting. That’s definitely something good to know and look for. You were correct my aircraft had the glorious GE90s
I've been watching your reviews for years and I have to say, this one really surprised me. I'll take a closer look at using UA Polaris for my next TATL. Thanks, Dan.
This was a great review! United has become my favorite US carrier to the world!
do you have a video on united economy plus? i'm interested in that for my trip to london next year.
I am an United global services… while they are not as good as the likes of SQ, I love United because they have consistent service (in a good way) and they take care of the GS customers.
They've really upped their game!
United is the de facto US flag carrier with much more international service than Delta or American, has a great frequent flyer program and offers frequent departures from my local airport, so I want to love them. Last time I flew Polaris from Zürich to JFK the seat was filthy and the tenured staff scoffed at me when I asked for a wet rag to clean it up. Consistency matters. Glad you had a better experience!
First time watching your videos, I love your commentary. I laughed and smiled thru it. Great review, look forward to seeing more!
UA 1K here- the drink menu is in the magazine!!! Also, you missed out on the Polaris lounge which completes the experience
Tofuti! Love the 767. Have had good experiences flying United
I think the theme for US carriers is that they have competitive hard products and the best in technology, but the soft product is still somewhat lacking. Individual air vents are a plus, and US carriers have them on most but not all of their planes. United's 767-400s, and GE powered 777-200s lack them.
I use united / star alliance forever. I agree has its ups and downs. International flights seems way different with service and flight crew. Lastly..Last week I got a signed card on my seat welcoming me to the million miler club. Honestly haven’t noticed anything different lol. That day 3 777’s -200 from DEN to IAD were broke. I must say the staff did bring out water and snacks for everyone and gave meal vouchers I think for $15.00. The morel of the story is I couldn’t leave the gate and sit /relax in the lounge because they made us feel that each plane could board any min. 8 hours later ..we did. I should of trusted my gut and found another united flight. A triple 7 first class I guess was more important 😢
that is the United "High-J" configuration. A treat for sure
Glad to see it improving
I flew united polaris last year from london to chicago and it was pretty nice.
Compared to my usual BA old club world, the seat was better, food was about the same, drink was worse, service was about the same or worse. The polaris lounge in chicago is fantastic if you're connecting onwards, but if you're ending your trip in chicago you can't access it as it's airside.
When BA finishes upgrading to new club world, I'll probably stick with BA full time.
I have to agree, United has come a long way. I live in northern Vermont; closest major airport is Montreal, so I flew out of there to Amsterdam a couple of months ago. Lufthansa on the way over (to Frankfurt, then back to Amsterdam). Return flight was on United, via Newark. In both cases I had seats at the front of the economy cabin, but the Lufthansa A340 still felt cramped, the seat was uncomfortable, the food was poor (and there was only one choice), and the entertainment system was terrible, with earbuds that only worked on the left channel and sounded like they were wrapped in a towel. By contrast, my United flight back was surprisingly pleasant. My similar seat on the 777 was much more comfortable and roomy, the food was actually quite tasty for economy class, and the entertainment system was great. I did actually stream the movie through my iPhone, because that meant I could use my AirPods Pro so sound quality was very good.
My only complaint with the return flight was not United’s fault: upon arrival in Newark, I had to go through US customs even though I wasn’t stopping in the US at that point but just connecting through to Canada. Then of course I had to go through Canadian customs upon arriving there… and then once I’d retrieved my car, I had to go through US customs again when crossing the border on my drive home. Going through customs three times is a bit tiresome.
Something I think about a lot is as more airlines are building this little suite style seating in business and first, the entrance into these suites are often quite narrow. What’s the point in having a 22-26 in comfortable seat is the entryway into the seat is only 16 inches? I know it’s not a big deal for thin folks but it seems counter intuitive & acts as a barrier for anyone with wide hips.
This is the nicest review I’ve ever seen from you and it had my super skeptical about whether I’m missing some sarcasm? 🤣🤣🤣
I enjoy watching your videos...thank you and keep making them!
11:35 Those give off golf ball vibes
This is so cool! I’ve never heard of this general, but I want to check out more. How is it his full-time job though, if he says all of it has been fully funded by him 🤔 may be writing reviews or some thing?
Once I found out I could switch/edit international flights online with United, no calling required, I started flying them way more.
I've been catching up on Avgeek videos because I have to go back tot he US for an important family event. I haven't flown United since 2011, and at the time I wasn't happy with their service. It seams they've changed a lot. Your video is the second video that is less than a year old talking good about them. Maybe I'll give them a try. Right now I prefere Delta over American or BA, because of the great service I've gotten four flights in a row between FRA or AMS and various cities in the US, just it isn't easy to get a flagship seat. Looks like United has bot good seats and service.
My parents just flew ORD-HND in Premium Plus, and they were pleasantly surprised.
6:32 if you are flying on the larger widebodys like the 777 and 787 on the middle seats they do have a window unlike on the 767
Now that United has brought back appetizers and the dessert cart, can you do an updated Polaris review? Just not from due to all their traffic congestion.
I love flying to Zürich on United. I live in Basel and am from Chicago so I fly from zürich to ohare so much😊
I loved the positivity of this review 😊
You make our choices in booking new trips easier. Thank you 😊
Avoid united at all costs! They are the worlds worst airline!!
So what you were saying was if the flight attendants could do anything to make your flight more comfortable their demeanor said, "Please hesitate to ask."
You've really got the accent and attitude down for the EWR-based UA FAs!
I must agree - the United app is great, especially if you compare it to the one LH created and which is never working properly. And yes, Polaris is a good product and since I´m used to the rather not-so-good-food on US airlines, I can handle that easily. There is always a lounge nearby to enjoy a better meal.
I flew to the US with Lufthansa Business in January and back to Belgium in February with Polaris and Polaris was just so much better!
just flew them...great hard product...swiss needs to up its game in particular Airbus 330
Hey, Dan! What's that stylish backpack that you wear on this video? On 3:15 for example.
Of the American carriers I tend to fly on (but I have poor taste cause I actually really like Lufthansa but last time I flew them was MUC-BOS in Feb. 2020) I far prefer United over Delta or American.
I'm almost always on transatlantic flights based out of Boston, JFK or EWR, with mostly flying from Boston since the before times. I had a fantastic flight in Premium Economy on a recent BOS-LHR/LHR-BOS on United's 767-300ER at the end of Oct. 2022 - it was great for what it was - glad I didn't pay up for Polaris, and had a subpar seat on my way to London (21A) that I was scheduled to also be on for the return flight. I was fortunately able to change my seat for my return trip (22G) on the United app before we even started our descent into Heathrow.
Delta is better, but the BA of American carriers imo when it comes to price (ie overpriced af)
Can't wait to try Turkish normal economy on a trip in March to Vienna from BOS via the new Istanbul Airport. May even get to try Qatar or Emirates from PHL to NBO either for Christmas in a few weeks or next fall, with my Dad for our Heritage trip back to where he grew up and when the last time I visited I was 4 & 1 month old.
Love your vlogs 😭🫶🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank youuu❤️
Wow! a complete surprise. The world is changing...our memories of United are like nightmares...
As a 9yr 1K (or higher) member: United is the best US airline, mainly because of access to Star Alliance hubs/carriers/routes.
United is the worlds worst airline!
@@maxsaviation9512 Definitely not - They are a ~5 or 6 out of 10. There are plenty of 3s, 2s, 1s and even 0s.
@S J Also because of their partners, and their consistency among their long haul fleet. Also their costs can be pretty affordable.
Hey Dan! United does not have air vents on every aircraft type. For example, the ex-Continental 777s do not have them.
I agree with you, wondering why so many people slam the window shade closed from start to finish. Why sit in the dark when you could be enjoying some breathtaking views? I don't get the allure of a dark aircraft cabin over the grandeur of Mother Nature.
Just finished the 17.5 hour SFO-SIN flight in Polaris. One comment that you mentioned which needs to be addressed is that the FAs never clean the restrooms. Other than that, I absolutely LIVE for the Saks bedding. I've put in a lot of miles in Polaris and, you're right, the service and food has improved over the past few years. Emerging from COVID, United is finding their footing and I feel like they're really making an effort. If only they'd fix their upgrade system to something more transparent so that Plus Points and miles actually mean something. Great video, Dan! Greetings from Phnom Penh and happy Thanksgiving!
Dan I hate ads but THANK YOU for Masterworks! I signed up!😊
Nice flight review.
I flew that aircraft type from iad-ams in premium, was noticeably tiny but super nice
So much of your review mentions things I never get from other international airlines: the same meal served twice, the indifferent cabin crew…no comparison to what modern Asian airlines offer, for instance.
I can’t wait to try out Polaris cross country, sometime soon
Love the video dan.never flown United yet.just might do,for some reason virgin airways does not do it for me.fly safe.👍
I few in economy in this configuration from Zurich to Dulles because of a last moment flight change, and oof. The IFE and service was singly the worse trans-Atlantic experience I had ever had. I hope the improvements in Polaris on this route also trickled down to the rest of the plane to some semblance of improvement. (Mind you, I am comparing this to flights on budget-oriented French Bee, defuct Wow and Primera, as well as its extant mainline carriers. So to say this was bad puts it underneath sardine cans in the sky, or Air France ;), says a lot.)
Hi Dan, which site do you use for searching flights?
I flew the United Polaris from ORD to HND and return. I found the seats claustrophobic and casket like. I'm 6'2" and could not sleep, too narrow and footwell too small. What a disappointment. Never again. I
My wife and I flew United First from New York to Hawaii and Hawaii to LA for our honeymoon.
United was MILES above BA!!!
The seat was clean, and the crew was super friendly (even gave me a second warm melty cookie)
If I could Fly United to the US from Glasgow Scotland every time I would!!! But alas my only options are connecting via Heathrow with BA or Frankfurt with Lufthansa or Amsterdam with KLM
I fly A LOT for work and all 3 sucks 😒
Pretty sure UA flies Edinburgh to the US, probably to EWR
As a Bob's Burgers fan, I just have to say, you have EXCELLENT taste in in-flight entertainment! 😄
Oil spill.
Oh Dan, you let my secret out :) I fly American, Lufthansa and United to Tel Aviv about 4 times a year. Polaris is good and getting better each trip. I prefer United to Lufthansa for sure!
As an American I have this unfounded idea that "if it's foreign it must be better". United really isn't that bad at all. Polaris lounges are great. The seats were innovative when they were introduced and still great today. The food is OK - typical western, nothing exotic or exciting. Service is very casual and lacks the formality I like when flying Asian carriers. Overall it's much better than my low expectations.
What a great flight experience and yet another amazing video.
“Salad cost $1 to make and taste like grass” so relatable ! 😂