Her goal is to visit every country in the world by offsetting the cost with points and miles. Each seat has a fully flat center armrest, as well as outlets for power outlets in each corner. Sign up and well send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money. I also read A LOT of advice to just buy [premium] economy tix then upgrade to biz for the best deal. Bottom Line: Not sure about flying business class with the whole family? The Noise-canceling headphones on SAS are much better as they are changed every flight but Lufthansas headphones are used flight after flight and rarely cleaned. If we compare the numbers more, we will find that the list is far too long. There were a number of other passengers (seemingly with high anxiety already) waiting to be helped, and the overly rigorous agent did not help the matter much. The main drawback is that the seat is relatively old compared to other products like QSuites. Hi Lin, you might want to consider TAP Portugal business class, which flies nonstop from New York to Lisbon. The 25 Best International Business Class Airlines and Cabins, 4. Seat selection also follows a similar pattern for both 777 variants. In business class, the A380 isnt amazing, with angled-flat seats that dont all have direct aisle access. See how you can fly Business Class and stay at 5 Star hotels for very little. (It also partners with Capital One, though at a relatively poor 2:1 transfer ratio.) The Swiss provides excellent value for single travelers due to its improved privacy, with aisle access and single seats. What would you suggest for lie flat seats? Qatar Airways QSuites checks off all the boxes for a phenomenal business class productand then some! The widest Business Class seats in the world are on the carriers A350 and B777 aircraft, which are 30 inches or 75 cm wide (a claim some critics dismiss as too wide for comfort). In reality, for the first couple of years, many passengers who booked expensive tickets marketed as Polaris still ended up flying in older seats. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone. Along with the airline's 13 new 787-10s (out of 14 on order) and 12 787-8s, these are the only planes in the fleet where you're absolutely guaranteed to get the new Polaris seats. The only food offered at lunch was goose, which didnt appeal to either of us. I read that Qatar will only offer biz class upgrades on their non-QSuite aircraft. THAI Airways has an intriguing business class situation. As a disclaimer, this ranking is subjective and based on our opinions. Even if you are not looking for a seat, the seats are well-designed and provide plenty of space. And, although United doesnt have as many first-class amenities as Lufthansa, it does provide passengers with free checked bags and priority boarding. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. Because of the configuration of the German airline, many seats in Lufthansa Business Class lack direct aisle access and lack privacy. Another difference with the new Polaris lounges is their stricter access requirements. best ways to book Lufthansa business class using points. Each seat also features a 16-inch in-flight entertainment screen. Seat widths tend to be around 22-24 wide and 78 in pitch and bed length. United provides Saks Fifth Avenue bedding to Polaris passengers, a pair of slippers and an Away amenity kit featuring skin care items from Sunday Riley, ear plugs and an eye mask. Emirates business class is almost a rite of passage for many points and miles aficionados. Wi-Fi is provided on most of their flights, and its pretty fast. BOEING 787-10 United Polaris business class Were working on getting this guide updated as soon as possible. United 787-10 Polaris business class seats The seats you want here are the "true" window seats, which are in odd numbered rows. Though Air Canada has decently stocked amenity kits, the brands may vary. I took a few pictures but wasted no time and headed to Priority Pass restaurants - there are now three (!) United Polaris business class. Extra pillows can be added to Virgin Atlantics Upper Class seats, allowing them to double as beds. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. No sleep. Cabin and Layout: United Airlines Polaris 1-1 Courses 323 View detail Preview site Some people may prefer United because it is a US-based airline and they may feel more comfortable with the airlines safety standards and procedures. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. United Polaris customers flying on long-haul international routes have access to Polaris lounges located at Chicago-OHare, Houston-Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco and Washington-Dulles. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. Best of all, booking ANA with points and miles is super easy and has some fantastic sweet spots from Virgin Atlantic and ANA Mileage Club! And thankfully, there are no fuel surcharges when you redeem KrisFlyer miles for United-operated flights, so expect to pay less than $10 in taxes. Traveling as a group of four can even be done with a quad and a large suite. Cathay Pacifics product has largely remained unchanged for a long time. The main drawback for these seats is that very few routes utilize this business class product. Lufthansa also offers a wider range of in-flight entertainment options, while British Airways offers more business-focused amenities such as power outlets and noise-cancelling headphones. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. Business class accommodations in planes are far superior to those in first class. Amenity kits are Victorinox, which is apt for Swiss Air. Usually, a meal features a salad, an entree, bread and a small snack, like ice cream. For example, you can book the same flight as in the example above for 70,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points. Although they operate a slew of different business class products, Air Frances 777 business class (except the ATL-CDG 3-class 777) offers a reverse herringbone layout thats worth spending your hard-earned points on. Typically, throne seats require a $200 surcharge to reserve, which in my book would be totally worth it. Adient Ascent seats are available on all British Airways A350-1000s and 787-10s as well as select Boeing 777s. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Many thanks. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. The hard product is generally awesome, and their bedding is very plush (with a mattress pad) though youll have to set up your bed yourself. We compiled a collection of blogs on each of these airlines to provide you with a complete understanding of what you should know. The blanket wasnt overly heavy. Hi Hamada, Since this piece only covers 25 airlines, there are definitely some great products that were left out. However, the airline's approach to rolling out the new product has been a long-running saga. Additionally, the footwell is pretty small, and youll have to slant your body to fit your legs into the space (unless you get the coveted bulkhead seats). Bag allowance: Polaris passengers can check up to two bags (weighing up to 70 pounds each) for free. Singapore Airlines provides international flights. The other major problem is that dynamic pricing generally reduces the amount of saver-level award space available. Premier Access: Those flying in the Polaris cabin also get Premier Access, which includes priority check-in, access to exclusive security lines (where available), priority boarding and priority baggage handling. The program uses a hybrid award chart factoring in both the distance you fly and the departure and arrival regions. Airlines that are both low-cost and near-equal in size. If you do the math, youll see that you receive such an upgrade once per year as a Premier Platinum member and up to eight times per year as a Premier 1K member. Youll enjoy a seat that is 21 wide and 62 in pitch. Flight #: UA 940. Im impressed with the value of the premium economy products offered by Lufthansa, but they should be made more widely available. In fact, they are extremely consistent with releasing all their unoccupied seats for award redemption 1-2 days before departure. Terms apply to offers below. Looking to arrive at your next destination without a crick in the neck, and to splurge on a premium class when flying long haul with United Airlines? Normally I fly with Thai airways but the price is quite high this time. United Polaris business class seats 767-300 In the center section and along the left aisle (the "D" seats), all the seats faced towards the aisle, so they felt a bit exposed. The seats also recline further and have a footrest. Thanks for reading! We pushed back in time from the gate and taxed to the 28L runway. United has assigned A320 seats in first class. Ask ExpertFlyer. At the start I thought these were in order of preference or Best to least best since Qatar was first. United also retrofitted all internationally-equipped Boeing 777-200ERs, though it won't be installing the new seats on its domestic-configured 777-200s, which typically fly within the mainland U.S., and select flights to Hawaii and Guam. Additional reporting by Zach Honig and Ethan Steinberg. While neither provides all-aisle access or much privacy, Lufthansa's business-class seat far outperforms United's cramped eight-wide layout. So far, the first five have opened in Chicago (ORD), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), Houston (IAH) and Los Angeles (LAX). All beverages, including alcohol, are complimentary. These lounges are restricted to passengers traveling in international Star Alliance business or first class. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. In economy, you have a seat, while in business, you have a bed. And while our site doesnt feature every company or financial product available on the market, were proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward and free. Additionally, the service is warm and the food will leave you satisfied. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. Lounge access and priority boarding at the airport, additional free baggage and exclusive in-flight . Lufthansa Business Class Review - United Polaris Lounge at San Francisco Airport . We flew home during the day going west so most were wide awake and raring to go. United business is a premium travel class from United Airlines that is available for flights between the U.S. and Latin America or the Caribbean, in addition to some transcontinental flights. This business class product is in a 1-2-1 configuration with seas 21.5 wide and 61 in pitch. But Virgin Australia has tons of character, and its reflected in the service. There is no clear answer as to which airline is better, United or Lufthansa. If you fly between the two cities on the same airline, you will notice fare differences. Front of plane. Note that only fare classes Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V and W are eligible for a PlusPoints upgrade from United economy to Polaris on long-haul flights. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Disclaimer:Upgraded Points, LLC and its website, UpgradedPoints.com, provides information on credit cards, reward programs, travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards. Happy booking and traveling! The Polaris cabin looks very sleek and is especially blue due to the aggressive use of mood lighting. If youre flying here, expect 21 of width, 61 of pitch, and 77 of bed length. Ive been on Delta One from ATL-ICN a handful of times, but never tried CI Biz. Though Asian airlines have a reputation for offering unmatched service, we do have some solid business class picks on European airlines as well. There are a few key differences between Lufthansa and British Airways business class. I returned another 30 minutes later (no lounge access without boarding pass in SFO) and it was all done and my boarding passes were ready. What would you recommend? Generally, Lufthansa has a much better reputation than British Airways. While their amenities used to be mediocre, the new kit will feature The North Face products, which is a nice improvement! Each seat is lie-flat, but if you're stuck in the middle getting over your neighbor may be annoying. Allegris business is the same kind of slightly angled stagger that is now nearly a decade old, and which first broke cover as United Polaris. Im worried about upgrading online and then getting a positive PCR Test. The width of the seat varies by aircraft and ranges from 20.5 inches to 22 inches. My flights from EWR to MuC in June will take me on three different planes for $5k each. Great news - the United Polaris Lounge has re-opened after two years of closure at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) just a few days before my flight. Return will be from Istanbul to Seattle. The best way to secure the seat is to pay the amount they are asking for. Thanks for the rundown Lufthansa vs British Airways in business class ? The AC seat looks more private and comfortable. KrisFlyer points are also incredibly easy to earn because they are a 1:1 transfer partner of all three major transferable points currencies: Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. We made the mistake of taking the 2 window seats and my husband had to crawl over me to get out. Major highlights include a comfortable seat and bedding, great service, the dine-on-demand menu, provided pajamas, great inflight entertainment, and decent Wi-Fi. Uniteds real Polaris class is flown on some of these planes: 787-10, 777-300ER, 777-200ER, and 767. Plus Ups are excluded. Polaris (Boeing 777-300ER, 777-200ER, 787 Dreamliner) These new products are technologically advanced, feature Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, and offer solid food and beverage options. If youre flying a Chinese airline in business class, Hainan Airlines is definitely the best choice. Great news - the United Polaris Lounge has re-opened after two years of closure at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) just a few days before my flight. The beds 6-foot total sleeping space makes it ideal for those looking for a more relaxing nights sleep. Unfortunately, Virgin Australia Velocity points are pretty difficult to accrue for U.S.-based points earners, but you can use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Virgin Points to book travel on Virgin Australia. On Lufthansa flights, there is no lack of food available for passengers to snack on, but there is a small snacking station in the galley available to tide them over until they arrive at their next meal. The food and service was great and the bed was wonderful. Hey Dorvan, great question. Would you let me know which business class airline JFK to ATH offers the most SPACIOUS SEATING as I am seriously claustophobic. No way Lufthansa is above SASs A350 or BAs club suites. I felt quite refreshed when I woke up just 45 minutes before landing. Food is about what youd expect on international business class airlines, which is decent but not over-the-top. However, the soft product is excellent, including a lounge experience in Bangkok. I also tried the breakfast which wasn't great - it was presented well, but the Muesli simply tasted off. Check out our dedicated post on the subject for more information on the plane types and seating/cabins available for SQs U.S. based routes. Instead of trays, everything is served atop a linen-covered table. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Your amenity kit will most likely contain Clarins toiletries, and the food tends to be extremely tasty and exquisitely French. Cathay Pacific offers many different business class products get the inside scoop in our definitive guide to Cathay Pacific U.S. routes. Flights longer than 12 hours also include pajamas on request. Premium lie-flat seats, bedding and in-flight meal service make United Polaris a good choice for long-haul flights. Duration: 7 hours, 10 minutes. Learn more: Is United Premium Plus worth it? Many say that Air Canada has better privacy in their pods. You can enjoy the Polaris experience on many United long-haul international flights and select transcontinental routes. The seats are quite decent for lounging and eating and come with a lot of different configurations. In contrast to the restaurant-style presentation, German beer is frequently packaged in glass bottles. Related: Want to make sure youre flying real United Polaris? This is arecurring post, regularly updated withnew information. Hot Tip: Want to go to Paris? Emirates has won the Worlds Leading Inflight Entertainment award for its in-flight entertainment system. I was sent to a stern agent that was helping to fix reservations. On the A330, A340, and A350, the A, C, H, and K seats are positioned the same way as the B/E Diamond Seat, ie, both seats are facing in the same way away from the aisle. Our takeoff was fast and furious into a layer of thick fog over San Francisco. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Every other row on a 777 or 787 is crammed with true window seats, which are surprisingly private. It offers two business class options: the Emirates A380 and the Boeing 777. But the main gripe people tend to have with Etihad business class is the food for such a well-rounded business class product, its just OK. And with very few business studio routes and not-so-stellar award pricing, this product falls toward the bottom of our ranking. Finally, Lufthansas customer service is generally better than Uniteds, from the check-in process to the flight attendants attitude. Through their codeshare agreements, United Airlines and Lufthansa operate, market, and sell flights to and from each other. Use partner airlines miles to book the same tickets. 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