Offering direct flights to Athens from the US East Coast, United Polaris business class was the obvious choice for arriving in Greece timely and in style! For this trip, we are departing from Washington Dulles International Airport and will be checking out the seats on the Boeing 787-8.
The check-in process at Dulles was quick and easy with separate lines clearly marked for Polaris passengers. Up to two bags are included, so no extra fees here!
The United Polaris lounge is located on concourse C, near gate C17 at Washington Dulles International Airport. All 21,000 square feet are decked out in marble giving the lounge a luxurious modern feel.
United has a large presence at Dulles and can get quite busy at times, as was the case before our flight to Athens. Even still, there are hundreds of seats available and you shouldn’t have a problem finding a seat.
There is a large buffet with plenty of self-serve options including premade sandwiches, pastas, meats, and salads. The food was good quality and replenished regularly.
Drinks were plentiful at the lounge with lots of bottled water, plenty of soft-drink selections, coffee, and hot tea. The lounge also features a large cocktail bar with a large selection of spirits and wines.
The business class cabin on the 787-8 is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration and contains 28 Polaris suites. Each seat is an average 20.5 inches (52 cm) wide. The seat itself features blue fabric with the remainder of suite decked out in tan and grey tones.
The two sets next to each other in the center are perfect for couples and families. A center dividing wall can be adjusted up or down to allow a shared experience with your travel companion.
There is a storage compartment to the left of the seat. I did not find it to be big enough to really hold anything important. The table in front of the storage compartment was useful for random items like your drink, menu, electronic devices, books, etc.
The seat comes with USB A adapters for charging phones and tablets. However, I recommend bringing a plugin charger, especially if you plan to use your laptop on a longer flight. The power outlet located next to the able is clutch.
The seat is 180° adjustable to create a lie flat bed featuring 6’6″ (198 cm) of sleeping space. This should be plenty to accommodate most passengers. A blanket and pillow are provided to ensure you are comfy and warm.
Each suite has its own entertainment system sporting loads of movies and TV shows. Newer movies are included in the content, which is always appreciated. Headphones are also included in your storage cabinet. In general, the screen and remote felt outdated and are due for an upgrade.
Service on this flight was good, but nothing spectacular. Drink and food service were prompt and the staff did a good job of keeping the lavatories clean. However, there were some lacking touches. Most notably, the flight attendants did not makeup the bed, you had to do that yourself. I know, the problems that come with the good life!
A menu will be waiting for you at your seat as soon as you board. Since this is a late afternoon departure, dinner is the first meal. Several options are available including for vegetarians.
Your flight attendant will take your order before takeoff and will ask for a primary and secondary choice in the event your first choice is no longer available.
We ordered the Colorado Flat Iron Steak and Seared Chicken Breast. The steak had good flavor and was prepared medium. The chicken was moist and also had good flavor.
I ordered the french toast for breakfast and it was served with a fruit bowl, packaged pastry and yogurt with hot tea. The french toast was soggy and not very appetizing, so I stuck to the packaged items and fruit. Overall, breakfast was disappointing and could use some improvements.
United Polaris amenity kits are provided by AWAY Travel and are packaged in a tiny suitcase replica of the luggage they are famous for.
The kit comes packed with all the typical items including a sleeping mask, ear plugs, tissues, a pen, dental kit, socks, and a facial cleansing cloth.
The united Polaris lounge at Washington Dulles International Airport is a terrific lounge with a high-end, modern design and provides a great start to any trip. The seat is standard for business class. The service and food present some improvement areas for United. Do not fly Polaris if your expectation is for over-the-top food.
