United’s new 787 Polaris business class heads to Sydney

Almost a decade after axing international first class, United is bringing back that elite Row 1 experience with a modern twist – and it’s coming to Sydney.

The Star Alliance member and Virgin Australia partner will upgrade the popular Sydney-San Francisco route to what it calls the Boeing 787-9 Elevated jet before the end of this year, United Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella told Executive Traveller on the sidelines of the United Elevated launch at LAX.

“The unique thing about this aircraft is the number of premium seats on board” – 99 in all, dominating two-thirds of the plane – as United leans into continued demand for premium travel.

United's 'Elevated' 787 Polaris.

And in a first for United, every Polaris business class seat is now a doored private suite.

After making its debut from San Francisco to Singapore and London in late April, Nocella confirmed to Executive Traveller that Sydney will follow by December. 

Polaris Studio

In addition to the second generation of United’s Polaris business class, the front row of the cabin showcases a souped-up Polaris Studio suite.

United's 'Elevated' 787 Polaris Studio.

There’s 25% more space than regular Polaris berths, a massive 27-inch OLED video screen, a velvet throw, hoodie-pyjamas and upgraded dining – which begins with an amuse-bouche of Ossetra caviar paired with Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne.

The Polaris Studio experience includes this amuse-bouche of caviar and Champagne.

Each Polaris Studio window seat includes a larger ottoman suitable for a companion seating, although with limited space it’s less about sharing a meal than a friendly game of cards.

Four of the either Polaris Studios allows a companion to join you.

United will sell the Polaris Studio as a US$500 upsell from Polaris business class: a relatively incremental cost on top of the already high price of a business class ticket.

United also promises upgraded dining for the Polaris Studio.

There are eight Polaris Studio suites on each of the new-look 787s – four in the front row of each of the two business class cabins – and Nocella says that “upsell” on the first Elevated flights to Singapore and London is already strong.

“We’ve already 25% sold in April and 17% in May” just four days after flights went on sale, so by the time each flight takes off “we expect to be 100% sold, basically.”

Every Polaris seat is now a private suite.

If any Polaris Studio berths remain unsold shortly before departure, would United consider a complimentary upgrade to any high-status frequent flyer, such as Global Services or Premier 1K?

“We really haven’t contemplated that yet,” Nocella admits, given this is early days for the Elevated program.

“I think that question is relevant probably 12 to 24 months from now, when we have a lot of aircraft” – over 30 will be in the skies by 2028 – flying to many more destinations.

The new Polaris business class

It’s not as if life will be a struggle trial for passengers in the 58 standard Polaris business class seats.

United's second-generation Polaris business class.

These doored suites are a notable improvement on the original Polaris products, with better utilisation of personal space and a 19-inch 4K OLED screen.

Standard features across both Polaris Studio and Polaris include Bluetooth audio, USB-C and wireless charging.

United's second-generation Polaris business class.

United has also adopted a unique layout for the paired middle seats.

In the first of the 787’s two business class cabins, these D and F seats are angled inwards, towards each other.

The first Elevated 787 Polaris cabin has middle seats angled inwards.

In the second cabin they’re angled outwards, towards the aisle – but with the headrests so close together, this is the best option for people flying with a partner.

The second Elevated 787 Polaris cabin has middle seats angled outwards.

United can even dress the middle Polaris Studio pair in this second cabin with a special mattress pa to create a double bed.

The outwards-angled Polaris seats can become a bed for two.

United’s new premium economy

In line with continued popularity of premium economy, United’s Elevated fleet increases its dedicated Premium Plus cabin to 35 new-design seats.

United's has also 'Elevated' its 787 premium economy.

The 2-3-2 recliners now have privacy dividers along with LED reading lights, extending legrests and footrests, 16-inch 4K OLED screens with Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging and USB-C power.

Starlink connectivity

These Elevated 787s will also elevate your inflight Internet experience, with super-fast Starlink satellite Wi-Fi available on a gate-to-gate basis.

In our experience, Starlink speeds can vary from a solid 50Mbps to a racy 200Mbps, and it’s free to all passengers who are members of United’s MileagePlus loyalty program.

Also read: Here is United’s new A321 Polaris business class suite

David Flynn travelled to Los Angeles as a guest of United Airlines.