United Airlines Polaris to London - Eat BEFORE You Board!

I had always thought that airlines offer their very best product on their flagship international routes. And for United it doesn't get much more flagship than their Newark to Heathrow route with 7 daily flights.

Sadly, compared to my recent excellent Polaris experience from Sydney to LAX, this flight was a disappointment with United appearing to take it very much for granted. My advice when it comes to United Airlines Polaris to London is Eat Before You Board!

Join me as I take you through the full United Airlines business class experience from the massive United Polaris Lounge at Newark, through the entire onboard experience of dining, seating, entertainment and sleeping to our arrival at London Heathrow. And it's here in London where you actually get to experience the best bit about United's service between the US and London - it's arrivals lounge at Heathrow.

If you've flown United Polaris let me know what you thought and if you haven't, would you fly it based on this video?

Thanks for watching and, as always, happy travels!

Dennis

#unitedairlines #unitedpolaris #luxurytravel

00:00 Introduction
00:40 Polaris Lounge Newark
01:19 Boarding
01:51 Cheers!
02:32 Cabin & Seat Features
03:57 Drink Service & Menus
04:29 Dinner Service
05:03 Amenities Kit
05:23 Bed Mode
05:46 Entertainment System
06:11 Descent into London
06:46 United Arrivals Lounge Heathrow

[DennisBunnikTravels]

Thank you for all the views and comments on this one. I really appreciate it. Ironically if I had made the video just 2 seconds longer it would have generated much more revenue because YT would have inserted mid-roll ads. I'm not revenue driven but it does raise the question - is this video getting good views because it is shorter? And does video length influence your decision to watch a video or not? Let me know your thoughts.

[john-rnf]

Dennis, your review of the United Airlines Polaris flight to London was thoroughly enlightening and enjoyable. You have a knack for capturing the essence of the travel experience, presenting both the highs and lows with honesty and insight. Your dedication to sharing your journey helps viewers make informed decisions about their future travels. Thanks for putting together such a comprehensive and engaging review. Looking forward to your future adventures!

[Nick-ipfc]

Expat Aussie here who has been flying united LAX/SFO-SYD for 3 decades. They have been a fantastic airline for reliably getting upgrades and have a decent hard product, but their soft product has been weak for as long as I can remember and seems to be getting worse. The Polaris lounges were amongst the best in the U.S. when they first opened but are now overcrowded. My last trip through ORD, there was a 2 hour wait list in the lounge to even get a table in the restaurant... Keep up the great work Dennis!

[RoyceMarcus]

Bring in the states I agree it's always impressive how much clean and clear info is provided during boarding. It's only outmatched by people's ability to ignore or miss them.

[Joeblader]

Another great video! Your channel was the first flight review channel I watched! Now I watch them on a daily basis! Thank you Dennis!

[jlasf]

To me, the introduction of the lie-flat seat was a total game changer. Before that, even in First Class, I could never really fall asleep. I would describe it as dozing or about 80% asleep. Arriving after a long 6+ hour flight, I frequently felt a bit groggy and then hit by massive jet lag later. With the lie-flat and good noise-cancelling headphones I bring, I can sleep on my side - as I do at home - and I am deep asleep. So much so, that when I wake up, I am a bit disoriented. Am I at home in bed?

Last year, I flew literally around the world - circumnavigating from SF - Paris - Dubai - HK - SF. With 8 hour, 10 hour, and 11 hour flights, it was a breeze. I just came back from a CDG - SF 11 hour flight. I slept for 6 hours straight, had dinner, watched two movies and was home.

I can always quibble about service and food from one airline to another, but let's stand back and marvel at where airline travel is now. It's come along way, but, in some ways, it's come full circle. In the 40's and 50's, long-distance flights offered full beds like

[charlieb]

BA has a very useful arrival lounge at LHR Terminal 5, where they also iron clothes while you shower. Such a great service.

[heathforrest]

Dreaming of MH satay, that made me laugh. The food looked pretty crook but the arrivals lounge would be sweet, especially early mornings. Nice vid as always Dennis

[mrwezbo]

@5:10 Dennis mate, you never fail to crack me up...love it

[kennethwu]

Thanks Dennis. It’s always a challenge if you arrive and can’t check in immediately to your hotel.

[wannabedal-adx]

Great review as always Dennis. This what I come to hear about United over the past 15 or so years, inconsistent. I don't fly them and that is because I have never been given a reason too. This review of inflight food service continues to reinforce that notion. Thanks!

[internationalsolartech]

Dennis, I just found your channel and really enjoy your reviews..! Part of the excitement of international travel is the actual plane, it's look, feel, and luxury feel. I fly international yearly and always checkout the different flight times and equipment used. As much as it costs, I would avoid 30 year old aircraft always and look for the A380's, A350-1000's, 787's or 777's. That meal looked really inferior... I would like to see your review of the Emirates Business class! Continue the excellent work!

[flybyanuj]

I mean, if airlines like United and Delta continue to fly 30 year old 767s on important transatlantic routes, they should not complain about competition from the Middle East (though they don't directly compete on these routes)

[ventrue]

Thanks for the look into the arrivals lounge!

[Worldtraveler-]

Great video. Just wondering, what type of camera did you use to record your video? It was very high quality. The way you recorded your video is very stable, did you use any sticky mount or just by hand? And what software app did you use to edit your youtube video and is it free to use? I am currently learning on how to record and edit my travel videos. Any advice is very much appreciated

[brianb]

As always Dennis great flight review. Seems like you needed to pack a meal in the lounge in Newark before you boarded the flight with that sad offering you got on the plane. Well at least you got a good arrival lounge when you arrived. Cheers to your next good flight!

[sunilmukerjea]

A great vid as always Dennis. Loving the sticker on your laptop. Could do with about 30 of those for some people!!!

[NavinKumar-dxvq]

Thank you for doing a trip report from Newark, New Jersey

[markscarupa]

Very nice review. You are correct that many frequent fliers choose to eat their meals in the Polaris lounge where the food and drinks are better than on board, then try to go to sleep almost immediately once at altitude.

[davidgallaway]

I feel your pain when it comes to ears Dennis. I used to suffer from terrible pressure in my ears when descending until an ENT told me about earplanes by Cirrus. I put them in when ascending until cruising altitude then again about 1 hour before descending. I also take Drixine long lasting nasal spray either 2 hours before descending on 6/7 hour flights or 3 hours on long haul.
Never had any issues since. Thank you for sharing all your flight reviews.