Passengers travelling in United Polaris can expect a range of new amenities, as the airline unveils the “largest upgrade” to the business class cabin in seven years.
The cabin features new amenities from Therabody and Saks Fifth Avenue, while United Polaris lounges will be outfitted with Therabody devices.
Such enhancements to the business class cabin come amid rising demand for international travel, with the airline’s international bookings up 20 per cent overall compared to 2022. Customers are also booking premium cabins, such as United Polaris and United Premium Plus, 30 per cent more than last year.
A new reusable amenity kit, made with recycled plastic, features TheraFace skincare products such as eye serum, face spray, hand cream and a cleansing towelette, on top of the usual bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, ear plugs, socks and a pen.
Free wellness videos from Therabody, such as meditation exercises, have also been added to the IFE, and tailored for passengers looking to “incorporate simple, effective wellness practises into their trip”.
Passengers will also experience new bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, complete with two pillows per person (including a cool gel pillow) and a limited-edition day blanket featuring a pattern by designer Claude Kameni and crafted from 100 per cent recycled plastic. The blanket will be available through early 2024.
United Polaris lounges are also set to see upgrades this autumn, with Therabody Reset Suites scheduled to open at New York/Newark and San Francisco airports from late October, followed by lounges at Chicago O’Hare, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles.
The airline expects every lounge to offer at least one semi-private room with Therabody wellness technology, including a Therabody Lounger, which “combines sound and vibration therapy for full body relaxation”. The bathrooms and showers will also include TheraFace skin and body care products.
United added that customers can also request use of SmartGoggles and Theragun RecoveryAir Jet Boots, designed to support circulation, lymphatic drainage and muscle recovery, from the lounge valets.
To further enhance the end-to-end travel experience, United is also offering MileagePlus members the opportunity to earn up to six MileagePlus miles per dollar spent on Therabody purchases online at united.com/therabody. This offer is valid for members in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and select locations in Europe.
Andrew Nocella, United executive VP and chief commercial officer, commented:
“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.
“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.”
A recent survey carried out by Ketchum on behalf of United found that 83 per cent of international travellers deem catching up on sleep important on a flight, while 61 per cent book flights with sleep in mind.
The survey also revealed that 66 per cent say sleep on a flight is more important than having access to wifi, 74 per cent believe it’s more important than bingeing their favourite TV shows, and 61 per cent claim it’s more important than the beverage service.
