Review: United Airlines B787-8 – Business Class

Updated May 31, 2024
Note
9/10
United Airlines Business Class 787 01
Flight Carrier United Airlines
Departing Airport Kansai - Osaka
Arrival Airport San Francisco
Flight Number UA34
Duration 10:05
Aircraft Boeing 787
Cabin Class Business Class
Tutorial Guide: How can I save on plane tickets with points?
To the point Here's our review of a business class flight on a United Airlines B787 from Osaka to San Francisco, paid for with Aeroplan miles.
United Airlines Business Class 787 04
United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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.

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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.

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
United Airlines Business Class 787 11
United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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.

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

And what about the welcome kit with its many accessories?

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

The main electric controls are located at the seat:

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

The catalogue offered is recent and of high quality:

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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.

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

Business class service - United Polaris

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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:

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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:

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United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8
United Airlines Business Class 787 60
United Airlines - Classe Affaires - B787-8

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:

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien is an expert in Canada and France about Loyalty programs, Credit cards and Travel. He is the Founding President of Milesopedia.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Series
Mini-RTW - The planes
Flights
Region
Japan, Osaka
4.7 Milesopedia Rating

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