United Airlines 767-300ER Polaris Business Class Review from Chicago to Zurich: What’s My Verdict?

[@ScottSpanbauer]

Love your videos! All of them are very interesting and useful. You've also done a wonderful job with the video production.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the positive feedback!! 😊

[@robcook7627]

This video is the first I have watched that you produced. Very well done! The delivery and content were exceptional! I look forward to your next video!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thank you!! Glad to have you here!

[@sharoncole5093]

I love your videos! I’ve learned so much by you sharing your experiences and taking your viewers along for the ride!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I’m so glad to hear that!! ❤️

[@carolehirsch7315]

2:13 the shoulder strap difference was covered by @nonstopDan, I think. Because there is so much further to move in business class the shoulder strap is necessary. Basically, morbidly, in economy class you’re probably going to hit the seat in front of you long before the shoulder strap would restrain you.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

This makes me feel so much better about it!! 😄

[@elizabethg9346]

I’ve looked at Polaris before and will definitely consider flying with United Business in the future. Thank you ❤️

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Glad the review was helpful! When you do fly United business, if your departing airport has a Polaris Lounge, take advantage and go. It's really nice. I'll be posting a review of the lounge soon 😄

[@RChen4]

thank you so much for this video! I hope I can experience this one day! 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thanks for watching!! And since you’re already learning about points, you’ll definitely be experiencing this someday!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@yucharlie]

Thank you for the review! I will be flying from EWR to FRA next month on same type of plane. This is very helpful! ❤

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I'm glad you found it helpful! Have a great trip! 😁

[@liverwurszt]

Thanks for the video! Looking at booking my first Polaris seat on a 767-300, looks like a pretty solid product. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Glad to help! If you book it, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the Polaris lounge! 😄

[@liverwurszt]

@@MelsMilesandPoints Will do! The flight is out of IAD but I have heard they are all great!

[@davidcole333]

The best endorsement you gave this flight was that you slept 6 hours. I could see how the food was meh but then again, if you're hungry, it'll do. I think United has a winner with the premium seat configuration of this 767. I would definitely book this. New subscriber, hope to see more reviews from you.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Welcome to my channel!! I completely agree about the 6 hours. If I can get that much sleep on a flight, I'm happy. I'm actually at CDG right now, and my Air France flight was a bit of a disappointment because the food service was slow so I only got 3 hours of sleep 😭 I'll be uploading a review soon!

[@jhalin4579]

The shoulder strap is required on seats that are angled. Even though your seat was straight forward, shoulder straps are on all Polaris seats for consistency. No angled seats in economy, so no need for shoulder straps.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Someone else mentioned that too, and it definitely makes me feel so much better about it! 😅😂

[@TheTravelHappiness]

Thank you for your helpful insights! I am on the same flight and booked the same seat in April :D

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

That's great! I hope you enjoy it! 😁

[@billkallas1762]

Next April, I'll be on a 787-10 Dreamliner, in Polaris, from LAX to Tokyo. First time in Polaris. First time over the Pacific. The Polaris lounge, and restaurant, will make the United Club look like a dump. I'll be in an odd numbered window seat, in the wide body. My son and his Japanese wife will be in the odd numbered, side by side, middle seats. $5,900 one way seems insane. LAX to Tokyo, on the 787-10 runs between $5200 to $6,000 round trip, before miles.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Have a great flight and a wonderful trip! :)

[@kylefrisco8664]

Very nice video. Thanks!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Glad you liked it!

[@eds.4815]

Nice video-thanks! FYI- The shoulder harnesses in those seats are to meet crash safety requirements that economy seats by their design, without the harness-it's not a class thing. In fact, there are some econ seats with airbags-usually bulkheads, when the rest of the seats don't have them. And AA's planes with rearward facing biz seats, only have the business class seats have shoulder harnesses.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thanks so much for letting me know! That actually makes me feel much better about it 😅

[@PhilG380]

The Polaris suite is fantastic. I wish they would get the food and service up to the same standards as the seat.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

That would be great! 🤞🏻

[@michaelwatt5007]

Thank you for a wonderful and informative video. It is interesting to see at UA 767-300 with a premium heavy configuration. It is very good to know that the odd numbered window seats in Polaris business class are both next to the windows and forward facing as opposed to angled. Those are definitely the seats I would prefer, as I always like to have a view and as much privacy as possible. I know I would not like the even numbered seats that are on the aisle, angled, and less private. Regarding the seatbelt shoulder strap, United is not favoring business class passengeres and offereing them enhanced safety features. The reason that business and first class seats have shoulder strap seatbelts or even seatbelts that contain airbags on some aircraft is beacause those seats are angled. When sitting at an angle, there are additional safety risks associated with a possible incident on the runway during takeoff or landing that are not a concern with forward facing seats. The additional safety features compensate for those added safety risks.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I’m glad you liked the video, and yes, definitely go for an odd numbered window seat! They are so much better! 😄 In terms of the safety belt, someone else mentioned that too, and I must say it’s a relief to me to learn that. I was pretty outraged thinking it was based on class of service 😅

[@saileshkatari1822]

Loved your review all the way. I love Polaris product sans the food. 😀

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

So glad you enjoyed the review!! And wouldn't it be great if United stepped up their game when it comes to the food? 🤞🏻

[@Recline17]

How did you go about getting the upgrade from economy to business? Great video!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thanks!! I was offered a cash upgrade at check in and I grabbed it!

[@egtravel]

Great review video! I paid for a Polaris seat 2 years ago on a 767-400. The worst business class experience I've ever had!!! The 767-300 looks far superior. The 767-400 Polaris configuration is 2-1-2. Since I was traveling alone, I chose the middle, single seat. All night I got bumped on both sides! Just horrible. And didn’t receive the same amenities as you. I hope to upgrade my ORD to LHR trip in May, but right now it's $1,559 and I wont pay that much.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Wow, that sounds pretty terrible! The main reason I like Business Class is so I can sleep en route. Being bumped all night must have been really frustrating. The good news is that it seems that more and more airlines are moving towards the better pod-style business class product these days. Good luck with your ORD to LHR upgrade. If you end up upgrading, there's an arrivals lounge at LHR you can check out. It's small, but I was able to shower and eat breakfast before heading into the city. Have a great trip!

[@destinydia]

If traveling with a companion which seats would you recommend ? 7L and 7F or 7L and 8L or 6F and 7L that way you're close to each other.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Because the seats are staggered, it’s tough to see each other either way. I would probably choose 7L and 8L because I prefer window seats, and you’re not far from each other even if you can’t see each other while seated 😄

[@planaheadstayahead]

Have a Polaris flight coming up. Is there only the front bathrooms or is there another that is only Polaris towards the back of Polaris. In 16, 17L currently. Wondering how disruptive that would be

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

There are multiple configurations of the 767-300er, but based on your seat number, I think I know which one you are in. If I'm right, there's a bathroom right next to you (slightly behind though so row 18 is worse). There's also a misaligned window back there. If you can find an odd row window seat further forward, I'd grab it. If not, don't worry because I'm sure you'll still enjoy the flight! Seat 17L is closer to the window than the aisle which should help a lot! :)

[@planaheadstayahead]

@@MelsMilesandPoints thank you so much. Looks like 17 atleast will have a window whereas 18 does not. The only further up looks like row 12

[@planaheadstayahead]

Is the bathroom only for Polaris that is by 18?

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

@@planaheadstayahead it is probably supposed to be only for Polaris, but in my experience, Premium Economy will likely use it too. You could always keep an eye on the seat map in case something better opens up. But I think since you are slightly ahead and next to the window, you'll be ok. I was recently on 777-300ER in seat 7A which is somewhat the same situation (except it was the galley slightly behind me and then the bathrooms), and honestly it didn't bother me at all. I'll be working on that review in the next month or so, so hopefully it will give you a better idea of what to expect.

[@JasonBerman-d6i]

Does the screen offer a Bluetooth connection option?

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Yes, I believe so!:)

[@xunyangful]

Well Done video!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thank you!! 😄

[@lewis20002000]

I plan on experiencing Polaris soon

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Let me know what you think after your trip! :)

[@fobbitguy]

You were't sent an email link 5 days befoehand to choose your meals?

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

I honestly can’t remember 100%, but I don’t think so

[@stuartlee6622]

The only way New Yorkers can experience Polaris is to draggg out to Noo Joizey. To Newark Airport which is really in Elizabeth. United refuses to fly to Idlewild/JFK. So, I fly DELTA.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Very true! I’m near a United hub so they are really convenient for me. But Delta definitely makes the most sense for you.

[@ljacobs357]

I like the Polaris class seats but have found everything else about United average.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

The food was definitely average, but the seat is what I care the most about. I really want to sleep on transatlantic flights 😅

[@TheMinecraftJRB]

Miles and points???

[@TheMinecraftJRB]

Very helpful thank you Mel’s miles!!

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Glad to help! And if you’re looking for info on how many miles it was, I give the breakdown at 9:00! 😁

[@lamar6007]

How funny is this? I had the same seat 5A on a 777-300… on part of my trip heading to Tokyo, and then going to Vietnam

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

It’s a small world 😂 The odd window seats are so nice, right?

[@jamesmoninger1982]

"I think the meal looked really appetizing!" Really? I think it looks horrible, and there is no excuse for serving everything on a single tray 20 minutes after takeoff in international business class. Fawning over a scoop of cheap ice cream with some chocolate sauce on top does not mitigate the many shortcomings of this flight. I don't know why anyone would pay for this when there are other international carriers you could fly that would give you what you paid for. I'm glad you feel you got a good deal on this, but I think you got ripped off -- big time. You carry on as if United was the only carrier flying to Europe that has lie-flat seating. Otherwise, nicely done video and happy to subscribe.

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Thank you for subscribing! I completely agree with you that most of the international airlines offer a much better soft product than United, but sometimes United's schedule works best for me since I'm near a hub. And while the meal wasn't great, I still feel like it was worth the $699 upgrade fee to get a good night's sleep and not have to suffer through a long night of United Economy. With all that said, though, I have flights in both Ethiad Apartments and Qatar Qsuites in February that I'm really looking forward to! 😄

[@MN-nk4gx]

How were you surprised at the seat you got? YOU PICK YOUR OWN SEAT WHEN YOU BOOK!!! This review is so stupid 🙄

[@MelsMilesandPoints]

Hmmm I definitely never said I was surprised about the seat I got. I even mentioned why I pick the odd row seats rather than even 🤔