United has recently unveiled a significant upgrade to its international business class experience, United Polaris. This exciting enhancement introduces new in-airport and onboard amenities from Therabody® and Saks Fifth Avenue, specifically designed to offer passengers an exceptional sleep experience in the sky. Discover the remarkable features that will guarantee you the utmost comfort and rest during your journey with United.
United Polaris has undergone its most significant update since 2016. This comes in response to the growing demand for international travel. It supports United’s position as the largest carrier across the Atlantic and Pacific. The revamped experience introduces new onboard amenities such as complimentary eye serum, face spray, hand cream, cleansing towelette, cool gel pillow, and day blanket. Passengers will also find Therabody wellness products in United Polaris lounges and can enjoy inflight wellness videos. A recent survey revealed that 83% of international travelers consider getting enough sleep during a flight important, with 61% even booking flights with sleep in mind.
United Focuses on Offering Better Sleep Onboard
A recent survey* revealed that a majority of international travelers, around 83%, consider getting sufficient sleep during their flights a priority. In fact, 61% of travelers even choose their flights based on the possibility of getting better sleep. This indicates that sleep is more important to them than other aspects of the in-flight experience. For example, 66% of respondents said sleep was more significant than having Wi-Fi access, 74% valued it more than watching their favorite shows, and 61% considered it more valuable than the beverage service.
To cater to this demand, United Airlines now offers Therabody amenities to its customers. This includes an exclusive onboard amenity kit comprising an eye serum, face spray, hand cream, and cleansing towelette. Additionally, passengers can access Therabody devices like the Lounger, Theragun, and RecoveryAir JetBoots in United Polaris lounges. The airline also provides inflight wellness videos on its Inflight Entertainment screens. Moreover, United Airlines has introduced Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, with select items made from recycled plastic in line with their environmental sustainability commitments. Notably, the collection includes a limited-edition day blanket designed by Claude Kameni, recognized as one of the most influential Black designers to watch in 2023.
International Business Travel Surge
These enhancements come at a time when United Airlines is witnessing a surge in international travel and solidifying its position as the largest airline across the Atlantic and Pacific regions. Bookings for international flights have increased by 20% compared to the previous year, and there has been a 30% rise in bookings for premium cabin seats, such as United Polaris and United Premium Plus®.
“International travel is booming and our customers have direct access to more places around the globe than any other airline – with these new amenities, now they’ll also have the best experience flying there,” said Andrew Nocella, United Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “We know amenities can really elevate the overall flying experience and are confident United Polaris flyers will love the new wellness-focused offerings created with our best-in-class partners Therabody and Saks Fifth Avenue and increased focus on sourcing recycled materials.”
Arrive Refreshed with Therabody Products
United’s Therabody collaboration includes wellness products across the entire travel experience – in United Polaris lounges, onboard United Polaris business class, and online for United MileagePlus® members to earn miles on purchases.
Onboard, customers can experience a new amenity kit that features exclusive TheraFace skincare products designed to help passengers feel refreshed upon landing. Tucked inside a reusable belt bag made with recycled plastic, customers will find:
- TheraFace Eye Serum: Among US airlines, only United offers an eye serum in its amenity kit. This serum contains powerful ingredients like niacinamide, caffeine, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B5, and allantoin. It effectively reduces puffiness, improves hydration, soothes the delicate eye area, and enhances the skin’s barrier function.
- TheraFace Face Spray: Specially formulated to soothe, hydrate, and protect the skin, this spray contains key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B5, calendula flower extract, aloe leaf juice, and glycerin.
- TheraFace Cleansing Towelette: Say goodbye to dry skin after a long day of travel, thanks to these cleansing towelettes enriched with Vitamin B5 and E, calendula flower extract, aloe leaf juice, and glycerin.
- TheraFace Hand Cream: Keep your hands moisturized with this hand cream that features nourishing ingredients like niacinamide, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, sweet almond oil, and Vitamin B5. Both the hand cream and face spray are also conveniently available in the onboard lavatories.
- The Must-Haves: The kit also includes essential amenities to help you arrive feeling refreshed, including a bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste, an eye mask, earplugs, socks, and a pen.
Therabody Wellness Videos Onboard
Passengers can enjoy complimentary wellness videos onboard, created by Therabody’s team of experts. These videos are designed to help travelers incorporate simple, effective wellness practices into their journey, such as gentle movement exercises, calming breathwork, and guided meditations for relaxation and better sleep.
Furthermore, United Polaris lounges will be introducing Therabody’s Reset Suites starting this fall. The rollout will begin with lounges in New York/Newark and San Francisco, followed by Chicago O’Hare, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, and Washington Dulles. Each lounge will feature at least one semi-private room equipped with Therabody wellness technology. The room will include a Therabody Lounger, which combines sound and vibration therapy for a complete body relaxation experience. Additionally, lounge valets will be available to provide Theragun and RecoveryAir JetBoots, which support circulation, muscle recovery, and reduce swelling and stiffness. To enhance relaxation, customers can also use SmartGoggles. In United Polaris lounge restrooms and showers, customers will find TheraFace skin and body care products for their use.
MileagePlus members can now earn up to six MileagePlus miles per dollar spent on Therabody purchases through the www.united.com/therabody website. This offer is available to MileagePlus members in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and select European locations. Review the full terms and conditions on www.united.com/therabody for specific details based on your country.
Introducing Refreshed Bedding by Saks Fifth Avenue: Comfort and Style in the Skies
Experience the ultimate comfort and style during your flight with the newly introduced Refreshed Bedding by Saks Fifth Avenue. Available exclusively on United Polaris lie-flat seats, this bedding collection combines modern design with sustainable materials, including select items made from recycled plastic.
Get ready to indulge in the luxury of a large pillow and duvet, ensuring a restful journey. For an extra touch of cooling comfort, United Polaris is the only airline offering a cool gel pillow, perfect for a refreshing sleep experience in the skies.
New Limited-edition Day Blanket by Saks and Claude Kameni
Featuring a pattern by fashion designer Claude Kameni made from 100% recycled plastic, the day blanket offers additional warmth and comfort. Kameni is a self-taught, Cameroon-native designer who won a competition to design the new United Airlines x Saks Fifth Avenue day blanket as part of Saks’ designer accelerator program, The New Wave. The design reflects Claude’s sharp eye for patterns and colors, Saks’ fashion-forward point of view, and the modern United brand experience. The limited-edition blanket will be available through early 2024.
United’s Elevated Food & Beverage
United Airlines continuously enhances its Polaris food and beverage offerings on board. This year, United expanded the menu by adding over 20 new wine, beer, and liquor brands. They include renowned names like Whispering Angel, Groth, Caymus Mer Soleil, and Tito’s. Later this year, United plans to introduce additional brands such as JUSTIN Justification and Bell’s. To cater to customer preferences, United has brought back popular items like the ice cream sundae cart and introduced appetizer service. Across all cabins and routes, the airline has introduced nearly 100 new menu items. Customers can conveniently view the onboard menus in advance through the United app and website and even pre-order their desired meal.
United’s Global Network
United Airlines offers flights to over 130 international destinations. Earlier this year, United announced a significant expansion of its South Pacific network. This winter, it will increase its flights between the U.S. and Australia/New Zealand by over 40% compared to 2022. With a total of 66 weekly flights to Australia and New Zealand, United will have more flights and serve more destinations in the region than any other airline worldwide. Excluding mainland China, United’s transpacific network will be 50% larger than that of all other US airlines combined. Additionally, United plans to resume service to Beijing, which it hasn’t flown to since 2020. United will also introduce flights to two new Transpacific destinations: Manila, Philippines, and Christchurch, New Zealand.
Since 2017, United has introduced over 30 new routes and 15 new destinations across the Atlantic. It is the only airline to offer non-stop flights from the US to cities like Malaga, Dubrovnik, Mallorca, and Tenerife. In the coming months, United will extend its seasonal markets, including flights from New York/Newark to Athens and Washington Dulles to Rome. The airline will also add a second daily flight from New York/Newark to Delhi this winter.
United Airlines is also expanding its presence in Latin America. Despite the pandemic, its Latin American network is now 10% larger than before. United is currently the largest carrier between the US and Central America.
The United Polaris Experience
United Polaris offers an unrivaled travel experience with luxurious amenities both on the ground and in the air. With the addition of Therabody and Saks Fifth Avenue facilities, passengers can enjoy top-notch services. Access to the United Polaris lounge at the airport grants travelers with spa-like showers, private bathrooms, a well-stocked bar, and a delectable à la carte dining option. Additionally, passengers receive priority service, including Premier Access® and complimentary checked luggage. Once onboard, passengers can relax in their own spacious pod featuring a fully lie-flat seat and a generous 16-inch seatback screen. Noise-reducing headphones and an extensive selection of entertainment options ensure a pleasant journey. Complimentary beverages, a delectable multi-course inflight dining experience, and exclusive lavatories further enhance the luxury offered exclusively to United Polaris passengers.
*Survey Note: On behalf of United, Ketchum conducted a survey of 1,193 American adults, including 986 who have traveled by plane and 173 who travel internationally once a year. The survey was conducted online from September 14 to September 15, 2023. The survey results have a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of ±3%.
About United
United, Good Leads The Way. United is the largest airline in the world, operating in seven U.S. hubs and offering a comprehensive global route network. If you are interested in joining the United team, visit www.united.com/careers. Learn more about the company at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is listed on the Nasdaq as “UAL”.
About Therabody
Therabody® is a leading wellness technology company that aims to improve the well-being of everyone. They achieve this through their innovative wellness technologies created by Dr. Jason Wersland, the inventor of the Theragun. Their product range includes devices for performance, wellness, and beauty, as well as software, digital content, and biometrics. These products are backed by science and offer proven benefits for both the body and the mind. Therabody’s products are available in over 60 countries. You can find them at their retail stores or at Reset®, a comprehensive wellness and recovery center. To learn more, visit their website at www.therabody.com.
About Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue is the top luxury shopping brand. They have been providing a carefully selected collection of fashion and outstanding personalized service since 1924. With 39 stores across North America, Saks Fifth Avenue offers both online and in-person shopping experiences. You can shop on their website Saks.com.
About Claude Kameni
Claude Kameni is a contemporary fashion designer who blends her cultural roots with the global fashion industry. Her namesake label features vibrant prints, bold patterns, and unique designs. The designer draws inspiration from her West African heritage in Yaoundé, Cameroon. From a young age, Claude demonstrated a natural talent for creativity, with a keen eye for colors and silhouettes. She moved to the United States at eight years old, and took her first fashion class in high school. It ignited her passion for design. Since then, Claude has dedicated herself to studying patterns and mastering their manipulation. She creates captivating garments that have caught the attention of celebrities. In addition to her expertise in African design, Claude Kameni is also known for transforming traditional African print fabric into breathable pieces that flatter all body types.