
United Polaris Business
There are 2 versions of United Airlines 787-9 business class
Compare versions →
United’s long-haul Business Class product on the 787-9 is a 1-2-1 layout of lie-flat suites (marketed as Polaris), with alternating seat orientations by row; the 787-9 currently commonly operates with 48 Polaris seats across two business cabins (forward and aft).
Cabin Highlights
- ✓1-2-1 layout (every seat has aisle access)
- ✓Lie-flat bed listed as 78 in bed length / fully flat
- ✓Two-cabin Polaris layout on many 787-9s (forward larger cabin + smaller rear cabin)
Seat Dimensions
Strategic Seating
- Row 1 (bulkhead) — commonly recommended for larger footwell/bed space vs. non-bulkhead Polaris seats (note: may be closer to front galley/lavs)
- Row 9 (bulkhead at start of the second Polaris cabin on the 787-9 ‘open suite’ layout) — commonly recommended for larger footwell/bed space; also in smaller/“mini” cabin
- Row 8 (last row of the forward Polaris cabin) — may be exposed to galley/traffic/light between cabins depending on exact 787-9 seat map version
- Row 9 (bulkhead of the rear Polaris cabin) — despite extra footwell, some travelers avoid due to proximity to lavatory/galley/foot traffic
How to book this cabin
Airlines may change equipment at any time. To ensure you get the 787-9 (789), always check the seat map during and after booking.
Look for these hints:
- Look for "787-9" or "789"
- Business class up to row 12
- Business cabin in a 1-2-1 configuration with “open suite”/suite-style seats that convert to fully flat beds
- Alternating odd/even row geometry (some seats closer to windows, some closer to aisle)
Routes Where It Flies
Chance of United Polaris Business across aircraft types, based on tracked United Airlines flights on each route.
Amsterdam – Washington (Dulles)
100% on other aircraft
Amsterdam – San Francisco
62% on this aircraft · 38% on other aircraft
Bangkok – Hong Kong
100% on this aircraft
Brussels (Zaventem) – New York City
6% on this aircraft · 94% on other aircraft
Paris – Washington (Dulles)
100% on other aircraft
Paris – Chicago
100% on other aircraft
Paris – San Francisco
100% on other aircraft
New Delhi – New York City
100% on this aircraft
Denver – Frankfurt am Main
100% on this aircraft
Denver – Munich
100% on this aircraft
Rome – New York City
100% on other aircraft
Frankfurt am Main – Washington (Dulles)
100% on other aircraft
Frankfurt am Main – New York City
100% on other aircraft
Frankfurt am Main – San Francisco
44% on this aircraft · 56% on other aircraft
Hong Kong – Los Angeles
100% on this aircraft
Hong Kong – San Francisco
100% on other aircraft
Washington (Dulles) – Honolulu, Oahu
100% on other aircraft
Washington (Dulles) – London
100% on other aircraft
Washington (Dulles) – Munich
4% on this aircraft · 96% on other aircraft
Los Angeles – London
100% on this aircraft
Los Angeles – Melbourne
100% on this aircraft
Los Angeles – Beijing
100% on this aircraft
Los Angeles – Shanghai (Pudong)
100% on this aircraft
Los Angeles – Sydney
100% on this aircraft
Los Angeles – Tokyo
100% on this aircraft · 100% on other aircraft
London – Chicago
100% on other aircraft
Munich – New York City
100% on other aircraft
Munich – Chicago
100% on other aircraft
Munich – San Francisco
100% on other aircraft
Milan (Malpensa) – New York City
100% on other aircraft
New York City – Tokyo
41% on this aircraft · 100% on other aircraft
Chicago – Tokyo
6% on this aircraft · 94% on other aircraft
Beijing – San Francisco
100% on other aircraft
Shanghai (Pudong) – San Francisco
100% on other aircraft
San Francisco – Sydney
100% on this aircraft
San Francisco – Taipei (Taoyuan)
100% on other aircraft
San Francisco – Tokyo
2% on this aircraft · 100% on other aircraft
London – New York City
16% on this aircraft · 84% on other aircraft
Frankfurt am Main – Chicago
2% on this aircraft · 97% on other aircraft
Paris – New York City
99% on other aircraft
Seoul – San Francisco
95% on this aircraft
San Francisco – Singapore
68% on this aircraft
London – San Francisco
47% on this aircraft · 8% on other aircraft
Los Angeles – New York City
20% on this aircraft · 29% on other aircraft
New York City – San Francisco
13% on this aircraft · 32% on other aircraft
San Francisco – Washington (Dulles)
15% on this aircraft · <1% on other aircraft
External Sources
- https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/united-polaris-review-787-9/
- https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/United_Airlines/United_Airlines_UA_Boeing_787-9_B.php
- https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/United_Airlines/United_Airlines_Boeing_787-900.php
- https://airlinesfleet.com/united-airlines-fleet-boeing-787-9-dreamliner-details-and-pictures/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/unitedairlines/comments/1eewalq/tiny_foot_areas_in_polaris_better_options/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/unitedairlines/comments/10k67tx/787_9_dreamliner_polaris_seat_suggestions/
- https://curatedforclass.com/home/flight-review-united-airlines-787-9-business-class-review-sfo-to-lhr
- https://united.mediaroom.com/news-releases?category=779&l=25&o=175
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