Review: United Airlines B787-8 – Business Class

Boarding

This review is part of our mini-RTW in 1 week paid for with Aeroplan Miles.After a visit to the Azuka lounge, we are ready to board the flight to San Francisco.

In this departure lounge of Osaka International Airport, there are games for children.

The boarding has already started and we are heading to the priority line intended for business class passengers.

A look at the Boeing Dreamliner that will take us across the Pacific tonight.

The business cabin

Although United’s B787-8 aircraft are relatively new, it is an older business cabin. United Airlines is gradually equipping its aircraft with its new “Polaris” business class (offering aisle access for all passengers).

However, the “Polaris service” is available on its entire fleet and on this flight.

We chose two seats on the window side.

The business class seat

The “Polaris” class offers many “Saks Fifth Avenue” comfort accessories available at every seat including a blanket, pillows, mattress topper (upon request), as well as pajamas – a rarity in business class.

And what about the welcome kit with its many accessories?

The main electric controls are located at the seat:

As well as an electrical outlet, USB and for headphones:

Headphones are included, but I would prefer my Bose QC35.

As for the screen, it is a good size judging by “my milesopedia coaster test”:

Rarely seen on other companies, a program of the flight and service performed:

The catalogue offered is recent and of high quality:

Underneath the screen is a storage space that can accommodate a laptop or tablet.

During boarding, a beverage service is available. We take the opportunity to get comfortable in our seats.

I don’t mind being on the window side during this flight: after 1 week of 24 hours stopovers around the world, I plan to sleep and not get up until San Francisco!

The legroom was good and I was not bothered, despite the narrowness of the footwell.

Tip: If you have the opportunity, choose the seats just in front in row 6. The footwell is much larger.

Before take-off, the menu is given out and the flight attendant takes our orders.

We took off on time and flew over beautiful parts of Japan before starting our Pacific crossing.

Business class service – United Polaris

Once the cruising altitude is reached, the dinner service begins.

The service is carried out on carts with a few choices:

I have to say I was impressed with the service provided by United and the quality of the food. Now it’s time to sleep! This is where we were at the end of the meal, at bedtime:

And 7 hours later (yes… 7 hours), when we woke up:

Of all my business class flights, this is probably the one on which I slept the best. My friend Jean-Francois was of the same opinion! Maybe we were just really tired after this mini-RTW in 1 week!

Anyway, this seat is particularly comfortable, especially with the mattress topper supplied on request! Don’t hesitate to ask for it BEFORE take-off: there are not enough for everyone!

Breakfast was served just before landing in San Francisco. Here too, we each took different options:

Conclusion

While it wasn’t the full “Polaris” experience, this flight on United was particularly enjoyable.

I tended to leave United out of the itinerary choices because of its bad reputation. However, this flight changed my mind about the company and I would not hesitate to fly it again in the future, hoping to test the Polaris configuration (available on its 787-10, some 787-9 and other aircraft).

Remember, there are no carrier surcharges when flying with Aeroplan Miles on United! A business class flight from Japan to North America costs 75,000 Aeroplan Miles one way and a few dozen dollars.

Here’s a great current offer to earn lots of Aeroplan Miles: