Review: United 787-9 Business Class (Polaris) Sydney-Los Angeles
- Konrad Tillman
- 11 hours ago
- 13 min read
Updated: 11 hours ago
Intro
For the final leg of the long weekend down to Fiji 842 beyond, it was time to hop onboard United Polaris on the 14-hour run to Los Angeles. After having my flight cancelled in Brisbane, a morning hop on Virgin Australia, and a mad dash to the International Terminal, it was time to go home.
Well, how was it? United might not have the world's best hard product or the best food, but this is one of my favorite business class seats in the sky. Let’s get into why…
Route- Sydney- Los Angeles
Flight Number- UA842
Aircraft- Boeing 787-9
Seat- 9A
Date- September 3rd, 2024
Flight Time- 13 Hours 40 Minutes
Price Paid- 85K United Miles+150 USD (3 Legs)
How I Booked
Figuring out award space down to Fiji on Fiji Airways, I was looking for a way to get back to Los Angeles when I came across something interesting.
For those unaware, United charges 100K miles from AUS/NZ to the USA on a saver business class award, but only charges 85K when departing from Eastern Oceania (such as Tahiti). As it would happen, United's chart has it so this ticket only came out to 85K United Miles. Don't ask me why, it makes no sense...
Virgin Australia: Brisbane-Sydney (Economy)
United: Sydney-Los Angeles (Business Class)
In my opinion, this was a fantastic deal. If only I could have gotten the two Virgin Australia awards in business, it would have been the same cost!
Air New Zealand Lounge
Upon arriving from Brisbane less than an hour before boarding, I had to get my skates on to head over to the International terminal in order to make my flight. For those unaware, these terminals are quite far apart, and not walkable...
However, in record-breaking time, the mission had been completed, and I was through to the lounges with just enough time for a quick bite to eat.
In the previous installment, I reviewed the Singapore Airlines Lounge, which was pretty good, but I also had the opportunity to grab a glass of sparkling wine at the Air New Zealand Lounge.
It's not a bad lounge by any means, featuring an extensive bar, food options, and great tarmac views; it is just considerably busier than the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge.
Around 8:30 am, I received an announcement from United that boarding had been slightly delayed until 8:50 am due to a late inbound aircraft.
Seeing as the gate was right next door to the lounge, I polished off my sparkling wine and headed over to the Sydney zoo, I mean, the gate. It was a madhouse!
Boarding done in the following order:
Preboarders, such as GS (none onboard today interestingly), active military, those needing extra time, families with kids under 2, and finally, 1K
Then for the groups, starting with Group 1, which is Business Class passengers, and Star Alliance Gold and above
By 8:55 am, group 1 was called, and it was my turn to hop onboard this long flight.
Stepping onboard, I was warmly greeted by Sheryl, the lovely flight attendant who would be taking care of me on today's run.
The Seat/Cabin
Turning right (there is a method to my madness), it wasn't a long way to my seat for today: 9A.
While I have touched on this cabin extensively on a past flight to Hong Kong, let's break down the fundamentals of the Polaris hard product on the 787-9.
Seats are laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration across two cabins, totalling 48 seats.
United has chosen to install 30 seats in the forward cabin between doors 1 and 2, while 18 seats fill the rear cabin.
Seats alternate between facing the window and the aisle. For those traveling together, select 1,3,5,7,9,11 D and E, while those traveling solo should select 1,3,5,7,9,11 A or L.
Each seat has a multitude of functions, but all are easy to locate. These consist of the following:
Seat controls are off to the left/right of your seat. There are different options to choose from, but I recommend using the manually adjustable one.
USB port underneath the IFE screen
In terms of storage, a small cubby under the IFE screen, a small slit for a laptop next to the window, a counter to the side of your seat, and a larger cubby which opens with a push.
An actual power port to charge larger electronics, such as a laptop.
A plug for headphones. Note that these 787s do not offer Bluetooth.
The seat converts to a 6-foot-6-inch flat bed, and has a width of 20 inches (smaller than the 77W) (I never write this, but I suppose it might be helpful 😂)
All in all, a very solid seat. What makes it one of my favorite business class products is the fact that the product is consistent (at the moment). No matter whether you are flying to London, Johannesburg, Sydney, or Hong Kong, you will get virtually the same seat. There are very few airlines in the world where this is the case...
Departure
Settling into my seat, it was like a scene out of Rush Hour. The crew was scrambling to get everything sorted out to get out on time.
Unfortunately, no pre-departure beverages were offered. While I understand that we were behind schedule, it's important as a reviewer to point out everything honestly.
By 9:25 am, we had managed to fill up the bus, at which point the captain came on to welcome us onboard and inform us of our flight time of 13 hours and 40 minutes.
We ended up pushing back only 5 minutes late, not bad UA!
Finishing up the pre-flight checks and deploying our flaps, we were cruising out to 16R within no time.
Due to the amount of inbound arrivals, we ended up having to hold for about 10 minutes before we were granted takeoff clearance after this Malaysia Airlines A330 landed.
When I say the views out of Sydney were stunning on this fine day, that might be the understatement of the year. It's like saying Vegemite is an 'acquired taste' 😉.
Amenities
Once airborne, it was time to dig into the Mount Kilimanjaro of amenities that United offers Polaris passengers. Waiting at your seat are two blankets, one for day use and the other for sleeping, as well as two pillows, a pair of slippers, headphones, and an amenity kit.
Put it this way: I don't think there is another airline in the world that offers the same amount of bedding that United does. Not only is it extraordinary, but it creates a little cocoon when you go to lie down...
Oops, forgot to add, on flights over 14 hours (realistically only the westbound needs to be over 14 hours), United gives out these sensational pajamas on a first-come, first-served basis. However, since this flight, I have been noticing that they place these pajamas on the bulkheads.
Put it this way: if heaven were a Polaris bed, I would be more than happy going to heaven...
IFE+WIFI
Getting ready to settle in and put on a movie in the background while working, I decided to check out the IFE offerings on today's flight.
United has some of the best IFE in the whole world, with a system that is efficient, new releases for movies, and a map that is easy to utilize. I love that they have Pirates of the Caribbean, but my joke doesn't seem to land with the FA when I ask, "Why is the rum always gone?".
A cheeky movie playing, I logged into the wifi to purchase a pass. At the end of the day, I am just someone in college who loves to procrastinate most of the time, and spend 7.99 for 2 hours of wifi on United Airlines.
I might be flying business class, but 23.99 is a bit rich for my blood for a flight where the plane was to sleep 8 hours...
Meal Service
While the Sydney flight takes off at 9:30 am at lands at 6 am, United decides to cater this flight with a lunch, and then breakfast before landing.
I had pre-ordered my meal in advance through the United App, but Sheryl came over after departure just to confirm my selection. If you are interested in the menu, below is as follows:
And just to be a help, I took this same flight a week ago, and this is the updated menu:
Service began about 30 minutes after takeoff with a hot towel. Ugh, those moments when you put it on your neck...
Approximately 20 minutes later, the carts were rolled down the aisle, and we were presented with a choice of an appetizer, as well as drinks.
While we might have been heading across the Micronesian Islands today, we must have been on island time, as my main course didn't end up coming out until about 90 minutes after takeoff!
And unfortunately, unlike my last flight from Tokyo, this left a lot to be desired. The short rib was overcooked and extremely fatty. Ehhh, you win some and you lose some, but points off here for UA...
Almost 2 hours after takeoff, the famous ice cream sundae trolley rolled down the aisle. To United flyers, this is like the Statue of Liberty in New York...
What else to say but delicious? It was. The flight attendants were also lovely enough to allow me a second dessert, in which I chose the cheese plate.
A Good Nights Rest
Once the first meal service had been finished, the crew switched off the lights, and it was time to get some work done. I ended up being quite productive for another 3 hours before it was time to crawl into the "Polaris Cocoon".
Requesting a mattress pad (make sure to do this on a long-haul, even available to Europe), I made up my bed for the next 7 hours of being in REM...
6.5 hours later, I arose like a phoenix with jet lag. Technically reborn, but in need of coffee and snacks. Heading to the galley, United stocks some self-serve snacks available to Polaris passengers. But I was on a diet this flight 😅...
Side note: United now has a different mid-flight menu for routes to Australia which consists of the following Tapas-style options (as well as snacks in the galley):
Lavatories
With perhaps one too many glasses of champers, I headed off to the restroom to freshen up. While nothing special about the three dedicated lavatories for business class passengers, they were kept in good shape, and had a few Therabody amenities.
If you need another reason to book 9A, there is no lavatory in front of it, unlike 1L/9L.
Service
Heading back to my seat, Cheryl came around with a little card (I was a silver at the time) and said Thank you for flying United Airlines. For the next 30 minutes, we talked about life, and she mentioned she was heading to Bali later in the year with her husband. Considering I have a house there, I provided some recommendations and such.
I tend to fly a lot with United Airlines, and if there is one consistency, it is that their LAX crews are generally very friendly. The purser was kind, there was another man (I forgot his name) who was also a little bit witty, and the rest of the crew was great.
The one thing I will dock points on here is a PDB, but realistically, it is not the end of the world since we were running behind…
Little message: I know aviation has changed over the years, as people now prioritize sleep and stuff. However, I think we need to embrace old school stuff, chatting with people (where appropriate). Such as my flight onboard Yemenia to Djibouti, those moments make my life amazing, and compare nothing to a lie-flat Polaris seat…
Arrival
Roughly 75 minutes prior to arrival, the lights were slowly turned on, and soon became the pre-arrival breakfast. While I decided to skip it, since I never eat breakfast, there were options such as eggs available. I did go toe to toe with some more coffee and sparkling water 😉.
35 minutes prior to arrival, the captain came on to wish us a very good morning and that we had made up some time. The cabin crew came around to make sure our shoulder harnesses were fastened, and we were soon on short final.
We ended up landing in Los Angeles 5 minutes behind schedule, and taxiied into Gate 154 at Tom Bradley. The morning United arrivals actually land at Bradley, but T7 opens up later for the Tokyo arrivals.
Immigration was a breeze, I hopped on a bus, and was in the United Polaris Lounge at LAX within 25 minutes of deplaning.
Final Thoughts
Flying United Business Class from Sydney might be the best way to fly from down under to the United States, if you are able to secure a bulkhead. While the food might be lacking (United knows this), and the headphones might be cheap, the pros outweigh the cons for me here. The seats are extremely comfortable once you add in the mattress pad, the service from the LAX-based crew is exceptional, and the IFE is top drawer.
I fully believe that if United could just sort out its food (it is slowly improving), UA could compete with Asian carriers in terms of the full spectrum offered.
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