Flight to Sydney - United Polaris Business Class

I spent three months looking for flights to Sydney which is how I settled on flying out of LA.  Got a very competitive price on United Polaris Business Class and booked about 340 days before I left.  I think I mentioned in a previous post that have found United puts out a few first class/business class seats at a very competitive price (I've gotten them for only $120 more than economy).

I read quite a bit about United Polaris on the Dream Liner and based reviews I selected the second or back section of Business Class.  There are only four rows or 24 and reviews said the service was better and it was quiet.  All were true.  I selected an isle seat on the center section, this way I didn't have to craw over anyone and no one had to crawl over me to get out.  There was an over head bin for each row so in essence, travelers on the center aisle had an overhead per seat.  I sat in the back row just in front of economy plus seats and since there are no bathrooms between the two sections, no traffic and very quiet.

The seats are a “pod” but obviously designed for people traveling in pairs.  Unlike British Airways business class where you have an opaque glass “wall” that can go up and down to really give the pod privacy.  These “pods” had a small partial divider at the head of the seat but have a shared arm rest which really destroyed any hint of privacy within the seat.  It felt like a souped up first class seat that reclined to a bed, but still had that feel of sitting next to someone.  That also means that if you have your light or TV on, it is in the face of the other traveler whereas on British Airways, the wall filters the light.  It really makes a traveler feel like he/she needs to turn off the TV and lights to be considerate of their seat mate.  The seat itself is comfortable, the bed rolled out nicely, the seat had power and USB plugs along with plug in for head set.  They provided what looked like sound dampening headset, but I prefer to use my own.  We also go a light blanket, a nice comforter like blanket and pillow.  The accessory kit left something to be desired.  Socks, sleep mask, toothbrush, tooth past and some lotion.  It was in a plastic container that was a poor replacement for the old zipper bags (fake leather zipper top) that are great to recycle and use to carry things in.  This plastic case was pretty much useless, so I left it on the plane.  Maybe that was their plan, people leave them behind so they can be recycled.  Overall I ‘d give the “pod” a B- and that is mostly because of the shared space and thus lack of privacy.

The food on the plane was good and service was attentive.  Starters were a smoked salmon wrapped in nori and a bok choy salad with chopped mango.  The entrée options were a pork chop, spicy chicken with udon noodles, poached salmon or egg plant ravioli.  I chose the pork chop with a demi-glace, risotto potatoes and roasted onion. The flavor was excellent but unfortunately the food was served just warm so by time I was about half way through the pork chop it was cold and thus no longer appetizing.  Dinner finished with an imported cheese plate and a choice of dessert bites.  I enjoyed the cheese and fruit and skipped the dessert bites.  The sweet treats along with sandwiches were available in the galley area through out the flight along with any beverages upon request.

Breakfast was a choice of fresh fruit and yogurt or a Southwest Omelette.  I got the omelette which served with a mix of potato and sweet potato, a corn relish and sausage links.  The omelette had the same corn relish inside along with cheese.  The entire plate was good but quite salty.  It came with fresh fruit, yogurt and croissants served warm.

I like United first class for domestic flights, but I think I'll stick with British Airways whenever possible flying overseas since the pod configuration on United in my opinion is not optimal.

Wine and nuts to start the evening meal

Starters:  Bok choy salad with mango and an Asian dressing; cold smoked salmon wrapped in nori and served with an edamame puree.  Salad was good; salmon was good but really salty. 

Pork chop dinner.  Very good but since it came out only warm, half way through the pork was cold and who wants to eat cold pork - not me.  So finished the potatoes, roasted tomatoes and onion.

Finished with a cheese plate with a nice glass of port.  Made for a nice dessert so skipped the sweet stuff.  The cheeses, especially the blue cheese, were really delicious.