Skip to content

Touring United’s First 767 With the New Polaris Business Seats

Sept. 08, 2017
6 min read
P9080152
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
New

Quick summary

When United launched its new Polaris business-class seat on the 777-300ER in February, the day-long affair included breakfast at the new O'Hare Polaris Lounge, appearances by a handful of executives — including CEO Oscar Munoz — and a special charter flight from Chicago to San Francisco, giving journalists a chance to experience the new seat before it began revenue service two days later.

Today's launch was met without a bit of fanfare, but I'd argue that it's even more significant than what we experienced back in February, given that this is the first time United's added its brand-new seat to an older aircraft. I'd even go so far as to call this an old aircraft, given that N644UA, the first plane selected for this honor, has been flying for the airline since 1991.

P9080238

But enough babbling... you're here for the pretty pictures, so that's all the background you'll be getting from me today. I'm going to dig right into the tour — otherwise, for more on United's 767 update, check out the posts below:

Cockpit and Galleys

P9080196

While the cabin has been heavily modified, the 767-300 has the same old cockpit — though the captain did note that the carpets have been refreshed.

P9080192

What's especially exciting though is that the crew rest has been improved quite a bit, and now includes a slide-out curtain that tucks away in a closet when not in use.

P9080199

The galleys are largely unchanged as well — below is the business-class galley up front.

P9080247

And the economy galley in the rear.

P9080074

Polaris Cabin

Screen Shot 2017-09-08 at 4.48.40 PM

Until today, United operated three versions of the 767 — one 767-400ER model, with 39 business-class seats in a 2-1-2 configuration, and two 767-300 versions, including one with six first-class seats and 26 biz seats in a 2-2-2 configuration and one with 30 business seats in a 2-1-2 arrangement, pictured below:

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
DSC09459

Now there's a third version of the 767-300ER, with 30 new-and-improved Polaris seats.

P9080224

This retrofitted 767-300 offers 30 Polaris seats in a 1-1-1 configuration.

P9080155

The 1-1-1 arrangement means all passengers have direct access to the aisle — especially important with most passengers choosing to get some shut-eye on redeye flights to Europe.

P9080152

There's a fair amount of privacy as well — the seats are staggered, so you shouldn't end up accidentally staring at your neighbor at any point during the flight.

P9080130

Some seats are more private than others, of course — window seats in odd-numbered rows are closer to the window, so you'll be best off with one of those.

P9080125

Meanwhile, all the center (D or F) seats are exposed to one side of the aisle — while center seats were a great pick for solo travelers on the 2-1-2 version, I would opt for an odd-row window seat here.

P9080117

The lavatories have gotten a refresh as well.

P9080191

Economy Cabin

While the 777-300ER has what's arguably United's worst economy product, the 767-300ER sports the airline's best.

P9080018

These planes offer a much more comfortable ride in economy — unlike with the 777-300ER, where seats are arranged in a 3-4-3 configuration and measure just 17 inches wide, the updated 767s maintain the 2-3-2 configuration, with each seat offering a whopping 18.5-inch width, making this the largest economy seat in United's entire fleet.

P9080088

There's power and on-demand entertainment at every seat, in addition to larger overhead bins, new lavatories and other cabin design updates.

P9080068

Oddly, there are two sets of Economy Plus seats in the rear — they're reserved for resting flight attendants on longer flights, but you can select them on shorter flights, such as the eastbound crossing to London.

P9080059

The economy lavatories have also been replaced, though they're arguably a bit more bare bones than their Polaris counterparts.

P9080069

Bottom Line

United's new 1-1-1 Polaris cabin is an enormous step up from the 2-2-2 business class you'll find on the 3-cabin 767s today, and it's a notable improvement over the more modern 2-1-2 767s as well.

P9080167

If you spot one of the retrofitted aircraft assigned to a flight you're planning to book, this is definitely the version to pick.