United held event at Gotham Hall in New York City, where they announced the big news! They unveiled the new business class product called Polaris, calling it “the airline’s most significant product transformation in more than a decade.”

united Airlines New Business Class Polaris4

“United Polaris will change the game in international business travel with an exceptional level of relaxation and comfort throughout our customers’ journeys,” Oscar Munoz, president and CEO of United, said in a statement. The offering — targeted at wealthier passengers, in case that wasn’t already obvious — is an attempt to put United’s premium offerings on par with the best in the world (read: Gulf carriers), and win back premium fliers.

In explaining the airline’s approach to the new Polaris experience, Munoz said that United spent a good 12,000 hours of market research on what business-class travelers want, and the carrier found that a good night’s sleep was the top priority.

Business class seats in United

The new premium  cabins will debut on the airline’s 777-300ER starting in December, and it will subsequently roll out to the carrier’s 787-10 and A350-1000 in 2018

The company also is launching a line of United Polaris business lounges, starting with Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Dec. 1. The others—at airports in Houston, Newark, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC (Dulles), London (Heathrow), Hong Kong, and Tokyo—will open in 2017.

United Arlines New Business Class Seat

United Arlines New Business Class Seat

To make sleep easier, there is in-cabin mood lighting, a comfy space to sleep and a lot more than you can think of!

The updated seat controls

The updated seat controls

The amenity kit on board for Polaris passengers

The amenity kit on board for Polaris passengers