United's New Polaris Headphones Launches Today!

Intro

I am a huge United fan, perhaps I could even give CEO Scott Kirby a run for his money 😅, and while they have done a lot of things right in the past few years, there has always been one thing that has always pissed me tf off about flying United Polaris: the headphones...

Well, as of today, that is changing, and just when I won't be flying United for the next 12 months. (************)

The Details

Airline headphones in the United States have always been an interesting conundrum. Airlines have wanted to invest in these in premium cabins, but people have flat-out just stolen them. So Delta has unbranded headphones, JetBlue has decent headphones (as of this year), American has B & O headphones, and United, well, has been, how do I say this lightly, the bottom of the pack...

Whatever these were, they belonged at the thrift shop...

In contrast to Americans' headphones...

Granted, they used to collect them 30 minutes before lAAnding, but that has now changed...

Thankfully, going forward, those ticketed in Polaris and Premium Plus on an international long-haul flight, starting September 1st, will now be treated to these:

New United headphones

For those wondering, this is a new partnership with Meridian, and I have to say, these look extremely sleek. I sure hope United has made these three-pronged, as I am sure some pairs might end up for sale on eBay (magically).

We Need To Do Better

People complain and complain that the US business class isn't up to par with carriers in Southeast Asia or the Middle East, and while there is merit to this argument, the airlines are not all to blame. We are, partially.

4 days ago, I was flying Polaris from Los Angeles to Hong Kong (with the same lovely purser as before, Jeffrey), and came across some passengers in a tank top and sunglasses, ranting and raving about how his sister worked for the airline. He proceeded to stuff the pillows in his bag, and carry the blanket out in the plastic wrapper.

Don't get me wrong, the Polaris bedding is comfortable, but no need to take it here.

Look, I have no issue with someone taking the Pajamas, slippers, or amenity kits, or even the small blankets on the domestic flights, but the Polaris bedding is considerably more expensive. It's not just about the bedding either, but it lays the groundwork here for airlines: the more we give, the more passengers take (give an inch, take a mile). To be honest, it's completely valid...

Final Thoughts

United is finally rolling out new headphones for those in Polaris and Premium Plus on long-haul international routes as of today. While this was a desperately needed upgrade, I also understand why airlines mostly don't provide the nicest headphones: we take it all for granted.... Anyways, don't steal them, I beg.