Hi everyone, welcome back to another flight review! Today, we're checking out United's Polaris business class product aboard one of their (very) old Boeing 767-300s from Chicago O'Hare to Zurich, Switzerland. Our aircraft today was an impressive 32 years old. United doesn't always enjoy the best reputation, particularly when it comes to food, so I was curious to see how this flight would stack up.
I could hardly believe that I've lived in the United States for nearly ten years without ever trying this classic product. Better late than never—let's put Polaris to the test!
I arrived at ORD from STL and passed by a UA 100 year dino on my way to the C gates via the underpass.
Access to the Polaris lounge today, I have an in-depth review on this space on my ORD-NRT flight review from last year. Feel free to check it out!
Today, I arrived during lunch hours instead of breakfast back in 2025, meaning better lunch options! No wait at the sit-down area, the menu as follows.
My favorite aspect of this lounge must be the tarmac views, with this jet bound for Athens pulling in right up against the glass.
In addition to the a-la-carte dining space, there’s also a lunch buffet.
Back in the dining space, I checked out the beverage list.
I ordered the shrimp fritter appetizer and signature Polaris burger as the main. I was left without anyone taking my order for around ten minutes during a rather low-traffic period. The server passed me a couple times before asking her colleague whether I had been helped, a little miscommunication.
The must be the worse ice to diet coke ratio ever. I had two sips before being left with just ice.
My two dishes were presented together and were very good. I wish there would be more than three fries, but not much to complain about as the flavor exceeded expectations. Do try to order the signature ORD sauce which comes on the side, wonderful to dip your burger into.
Sorbet for dessert!
With two hours or so still to do, I took a seat in the lounge area and grabbed some extra food from the buffet.
I like how their cubicles resemble actual Polaris seats onboard. A chocolate chip cookie and cappuccino.
Oh, how I wish my living room had a view like this!
I overheard some passengers talk about a second bar space that opened only recently at 11am, and I checked it out. Very elegant and more private than the main lobby bar.
With boarding imminent, I headed out the lounge and to gate C15, only a one-minute walk away. Lines were beginning to form and group 1 passengers had a final passport check. There was a little miscommunication with the boarding staff over whether group 1 could board before/after wheelchair/preboarding guests. They ended up deciding on boarding one group 1 passenger, then subsequently a preboarding passenger, then again and again.
I was initially afraid of taking too many pictures upon boarding as I noticed 45/46 seats in J were full and I didn’t want to slow down those around me. But I was rest assured when hearing the humor of the couple behind me, sharing with the boarding agent that this was their “first date” when clarifying they were in their mid 70s and having a good ol’ laugh!
On we go! My seat today was 17A, in the very last row of the Polaris cabin.
I desperately wanted an odd-numbered window seat as they offered more privacy, and this was the only one available.
Here’s my seat for the day.
Immediately, I realized the rumors of Polaris’ incredible bedding was true. Four pieces in total, and that’s not even including the mattress pad available upon request. Two pillows (one soft and one gel) and two blankets (a thinner and a thicker), all in collaboration with Saks Fifth Avenue. Perhaps arguments can be made over whether Saks beats out all other J bedding, but its up there. Not to mention, a landslide above other J cabins in terms of quantity. I think the most I’ve received is probably three pieces, and with the mattress pad UA wins out with 5.
An amenity kit with UA’s 100 anniversary logo was also offered.
Along the table was the menu card, with a bottle of water and headphones in the storage area. Seat controls and charging ports too.
A small storage space was located under the armrest, a good place to place my phone when fully reclined.
The entertainment screen was quite small, understandably for such an old product. The “push’ button exposes the tray table, and the little space between the screen and table was really to small to put any materials.
A coat hanger against the seatback.
All things considered, impressive that UA stuffed 46 J seats into this cabin. Although I could make direct eye contact with the lady behind me whenever I stood up for the alley, privacy is generally not bad, enhanced for being an odd-numbered window seat.
Not a bad view from here, the largest J cabin I've flown in.
Along the left side, a row of seat controls with the little wheel looking gadget in charge of recline.
The beddings, up close.
However, this is where the positives began to end. The entire left side area was filthy, and not all of that was down to the seat’s age. You can see orange crumbs likely result of someone’s uncleaned Doritos that can easily be vacuumed or wiped up. I spent the entire flight trying to avoid ever touching this space which wasn’t the easiest task since it was so large.
Furthermore, the little gap between the table and storage space was also disgusting.
I used the sanitary wipe offered at the door and just a few swabs resulted in this, and a much cleaner space. Was it really that difficult to give it a wipe?
As I expanded the tray table, marks from the cleaners were visibly evident that they only wiped down the tables and ignored everything else.
Anyways, moving away from the dirty, I expanded my Saks blanket, and it was quite comfy. For someone who is 185 cm, I didn’t have too much trouble extending my legs fully, to my pleasant surprise.
The Polaris product offers decent privacy. You'll never make eye contact with other passengers since the blocker covers most of their upper body.
Welcome drinks were offered, either sparkling wine or water. Glassware, nice!
The cabin manager came onto the PA and welcomed up aboard, she was extremely kind and seemed a little shy at times as I overheard this was one of her first international trips. Another crew member was a lovely lady who took charge of meal service, more on her later.
I checked out the menu card, an extensive selection for a medium haul flight. Two full meals and snacks on offer.
Let's have a look.
Next up, the drinks.
The final page also lists comfort items available on request. I heard UA only load pajamas on flights over certain hours, but I didn’t ask for one anyways.
I checked out the front restroom, which was quite the journey having to walk past 44 others. I was later informed there was another right behind my seat and was quote “the best toilet on the plane”. Both restrooms often had lines especially the one behind me as that was shared with premium economy passengers. This was the front toilet; I can’t speak to cleanliness throughout the flight as I never returned.
Individual air vents up above at my seat.
Pushback was imminent and we blasted out of ORD at 16:09 on our 8-hour 12-minute journey to Zurich. Gorgeous views of a beautiful Chicago day as we ascended.
I checked out the IFE. US carriers may not always have the best service or food, but they know how to entertain you. I didn’t do a deep dive today, but this was one of 12 full pages of movies. TV
TV shows replicated this and even included full seasons.
Headphones, collaborated with Meridian, very comfy.
WiFi costed 14.99 USD or 1500 miles for the entire flight. Credit where its due, the speed was excellent throughout the journey.
The crew came around to take meal orders. They completed orders for the other aisle prior to take off but given the massive J cabin, they had to finalize my end after take-off. For each passenger, other than those who pre-ordered, they asked for a first and second choice.
Service began with hot towels before the drink trolley was pushed down the aisle.
Here’s something I want to preface before continuing with the review. For anyone taking flights like these that often arrive early morning in Europe, controversial opinion perhaps but, you might consider skipping the entire meal and going to sleep especially if you spent last night out partying and flew today slightly hungover. Long story short, the food wasn’t great but the fact service lasted three hours was the killer. You would have essentially 4 hours to sleep (and this is even considering Zurich is on the further of EU routes blocking 8 hours, many such as London are much shorter) before descending. Anyways, back at it.
The lovely lady came around with the drink cart and offered warm nuts. A tiny portion of nuts but piping hot.
I asked for a diet coke and whisky, also some apple juice. After asking my whisky preference, she gave me a little smirk and asked if I wanted a double, why not! She also spotted my little Jelly Cat cow plushie and struck up a conversation about it. Love it when crew show interest in little things like that.
She apologized and mentioned my apple juice would need some time to be brought over. (P.S. the pringles weren't part of the meal, just something I brought on myself :) )
When asking what the mint labneh was, she happily showed it to me and recommended it. I wasn’t too sure what exactly it was so took the safe option was the salmon. Hot smoked salmon was interesting since most are served cold. This wasn’t too bad. The quinoa had good flavor and honestly, I found the hot smoked salmon better than cold.
The highlight came with the breadbasket and being suggested the tomato focaccia. Although it wasn’t as hot as I hoped, it was delicious.
Unfortunately, another half an hour or so passed before mains arrived.
Earlier on the in the flight, I asked the purser for a mattress pad. It didn’t end up coming so when she came by with dessert I asked again. She apologized (quite profusely) and the gentleman crew member smiled and explained it was her first international flight. It’s a small gesture but I really appreciate that the crew try to genuinely correct miscommunications, does show they do care.
The steak was my first choice with either the chicken or fish being second, I didn’t really mind either.
Unfortunately, the steak was extremely dry. The sauce did help absorb some of the dryness and potatoes were alright, but generally underwhelming.
I also broke out the second, thicker, blanket.
Meal service concluded another 40 minutes after the main, but luckily UA make a delicious ice cream sundae. Not rock hard like Delta nor melting like on BA, perfect. I asked for all the toppings, and it didn’t disappoint.
With a gorgeous sunset outside, meal service FINALLY concluded. Considering our flight was booked for 8 hours 12 minutes, it was unbelievable that only 5 and a half hours remained after dinner concluded.
With my mattress pad here, I made my bed. It was slightly difficult to twist my body but the bed had great privacy and all the Saks bedding made it a good sleep.
Lights dimmed.
I ended up getting only around 4 hours of sleep as the sound of metalware woke me up with an hour and a half to go. Credits again to the lovely lady, she instantly spotted me and asked if I wanted breakfast.
I went with the scrambled eggs, and iced coffee for drink of choice. . This was again quite disappointing. The hashbrown and sausages were quite cold and eggs tasted like they’d been left out for hours. I just had some of the yoghurt and moved on.
The amenity kit’s features.
Shortly after dinner, the PA came on announcing our descent into Zurich. I caught a glimpse of the gorgeous Swiss morning as we touched down.
Final taxiing
