United Airlines Business Class Review Tokyo to Newark Details:
- Date: September 12th, 2023
- Flight Number: United Airlines 130 (UA)
- Route: Tokyo Haneda (HND) 5:15 PM – Newark (EWR) 5:05 PM
- Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
- Duration: 12 hours 36 minutes
- Seat: 10L
- Miles and Points Redeemed: 100K United MileagePlus Miles
Introduction: United Tokyo to Newark Review
After an enjoyable week in Japan, I looked forward to reviewing United’s Polaris business class from Tokyo Haneda to Newark. Over the years, I’ve had an opportunity to try Polaris Business Class to destinations in Australia and Europe, but I have never flown United between Asia and the US. I looked forward to seeing how well United’s offering stacks up with Japan Airlines and ANA, which operate service to New York JFK’s airport.
To book United Business Class from Tokyo to Newark, I used 100,000 United MileagePlus miles. Flying from Tokyo to the US in business class with United used to only cost 80,000 miles at the saver rate. Unfortunately, United devalued its mileage program earlier this year so the saver rate is now 100,000 miles. While more expensive than I’d like, I was happy to have a lie-flat business class seat back to the US at a time when transpacific award availability is limited.
You could have also used PlusPoints to instantly confirm an upgrade to Polaris business class on this flight.
United Polaris Business Class Seat Review (777-200)
Boarding started right on schedule, and I made my way to seat 10L of the Boeing 777-200 that would be taking me to Newark. United’s 777-200 has a premium heavy configuration with 50 Polaris Business Class seats spread across 15 rows and 24 Premium Plus seats(Premium Economy) spread across 3 rows.
If traveling solo on United’s 777-200 in Polaris business class, I’d recommend an odd-numbered seat on the aisle side. The odd numbered seats are positioned closer to the window and provide more privacy than the even numbered seats, which are positioned closer to the aisle. Due to booking at the last minute, 10L was the only remaining aisle seat available.
While not industry-leading compared to ANA’s business class (“The Suite”) from Tokyo to New York which offers privacy doors and more space, this is still a competitive and very comfortable option. I found the overall seat space and footwell to be decent for both sleeping and lounging throughout the flight.
United Polaris Seat Details
Next to the seat are a number of control options to adjust recline and to quickly move between the lie flat and upright positions. I do wish United put these controls higher up or in a different location as I found my legs would inadvertently hit some of the buttons during the flight.
To the right of the seat controls is a small white table. I think United should have allowed this table to open up and provide some additional storage like other business class seats. Luckily, there is some additional seat storage provided by the adjacent locker.
When opened, the storage locker contains a vanity mirror and hook to store the provided inflight headphones.
Above the table is a universal outlet and USB-A port for keeping your devices charged throughout the flight.
The entertainment remote is on the bulkier side and definitely looks old school. I prefer the slimmer remote found on some of the latest business class seats that have been introduced such as Starlux’s offering.
For seat lighting, I really like the look of the lamp next to the window. You’ll also find an overhead light to the right of the seat, which has adjustable brightness options.
Above the seat, you have access to one more reading light and controllable air nozzles, which I always appreciate to help adjust the air temperature to your needs.
On the opposite side of the seat is an adjustable armrest, which contains the inflight safety manual and inflight magazine. There is a small storage area here that is ideal for items such as a cell phone. The seat was not the cleanest, and you’ll notice some crumbs in this area.
Finally, United’s Polaris business class seat has a tray table that folds out for dining and offers a nice stand for propping up a smartphone or tablet.
Overall, United’s business class seat from Tokyo to Newark offers all the features that make a business class seat enjoyable and comfortable. While it doesn’t have some of the updated features like Bluetooth headphone support, USB-C, a slim remote, a 4K entertainment display, and privacy doors – none of those features are real deal breakers in my opinion.
In fairness to United, this seat was introduced in 2016 while ANA’s more modern business class suite came out in 2019. United is rumored to be introducing a new Polaris seat this year, and I suspect they will close the gap in terms of seat features.
United’s Polaris seat is about as good as JAL’s business class seat, but JAL is also planning to introduce something new in October. We’ll have to see who comes out on top with the next-generation business-class seats.
United Polaris Amenities Tokyo to Newark Review
Awaiting at my seat was United’s Polaris bedding, which is branded by Saks Fifth Avenue. The bedding set includes blankets, a regular pillow, and a gel pillow. I find United’s bedding among the most comfortable in the sky, and I really like the fact you are offered two pillows and multiple blankets to suit your needs.
Also waiting at my seat was United’s newly released Therabody Amenity Kit. The kit is well stocked with dental items, ear plugs, eye mask, lip balm, facial products, and more. While I prefer United’s old hardshell AWAY amenity kit, soft shell kits usually fit into my travel bags more easily, and I always enjoy adding a new kit design to my collection 😄
Also waiting at my seat was a pair of noise-canceling headphones, which were just ok. I’d recommend bringing your own headset if you plan to listen to music or watch TV on your own device.
Upon request, you can get pajamas on the Tokyo to Newark flight. Pajamas are always a welcome amenity when flying as they allow you to get more comfortable for the long journey ahead. I found the quality to be similar to most other business class pajamas I’ve received. I would’ve preferred the Polaris branding to be a bit more subtle and placed on the front rather than the back.
In terms of inflight amenities, I find that United Polaris business class performs a notch above the competition on this route given that I didn’t receive pajamas on my last flights with JAL or ANA, and I find United’s bedding more comfortable.
United Tokyo to Newark Review: Ground and Takeoff
Shortly after settling into my seat, the cabin crew came by to introduce themselves and take meal orders. United offers the ability to pre-order meals through its mobile app and the friendly flight attendant working my aisle validated my pre-selection of the tofu isobeage.
Below is a copy of the inflight menu, which indicates a choice of salad, appetizer, 4 entrees, and 3 dessert options. Express dining is available for those who prefer to get more rest and want a consolidated meal service. A mid-flight snack option would be offered along with two entree choices for the pre-arrival meal.
Prior to taxi, a pre-departure beverage service was offered with choices of water, sparkling water, and sparkling wine. Outside my window, I noticed an American Airlines 787 that I believe was departing for Los Angeles. As we took off, I enjoyed the view of the sunset and could see Mount Fuji in the distance.
United Business Class Review: Meal Service
After reaching cruise altitude, the first meal service began with a hot towel and warm nuts. The champagne and water I requested to drink were also provided.
Following this, the first meal service (minus the dessert) was served on a single tray. Personally, I’m not a big fan of serving everything on one tray as opposed to serving courses separately. I find your main entree can get cold while you eat the appetizer, but others prefer the single tray as the meal service finishes sooner.
If you are looking for a good dining experience in the sky, I’d recommend JAL or ANA. However, I did find this meal to be among the better ones I’ve had on United (I’ve had far worse). I found the tofu was well-seasoned and flavorful, I liked that the salad had multiple veggies and not just lettuce, and the bread roll wasn’t stale or hard.
For dessert, United had ice cream sundaes, strawberry mousse, and cheese plates on offer. This is the first time I’ve been able to enjoy United’s ice cream sundae cart again since the service had been paused throughout the pandemic.
My ice cream sundae with caramel and nuts was a delicious way to end the meal, and I ordered coffee on the side.
United 777-200 Business Class Bathroom
After the meal service, I visited the restroom to change into my pajamas. United’s lavatory on the 777-200 is certainly nothing to write home about and lacks the soothing music and branded toilet paper found on my recent Starlux flight 😂
I didn’t notice any additional lotion amenities available, which are typically located in the container with the three holes you see pictured below. Unfortunately, the lavatory wasn’t kept very clean throughout the flight either.
United Business Class Entertainment
Before nodding off to sleep, I browsed the inflight entertainment options (there is an additional USB-A port and a small storage area next to the display). United has a pretty extensive set of movies, TV shows, and music available. If I hadn’t been so tired, I would’ve liked to have watched Spiderman across the Spider-Verse.
Throughout my travels, I like to keep an eye on the flight tracking information. Oddly while my flight departed from Tokyo Haneda, the tracking screen indicated my origin was Tokyo Narita. United also flies between Newark and Narita so I’m not sure if this was just a system glitch or if one crew members made a mistake during the inflight setup.
United Inflight Snack
After sleeping soundly for 6 hours on United’s best in class bedding, I awoke with 4 hours left in the journey. I decided to order the mid flight snack option of a grilled cheese toastie along with creamy celery soup.
The toastie was a bit too salty but crispy. I did really enjoy the soup and wish United would offer soup as part of the main meal given its a dish that’s pretty easy to get right for a flight.
Pre-Arrival Meal
About 90 minutes out of Newark, the pre-arrival meal service began with warm towels, and I selected the grilled miso salmon. The salmon and vegetables were fine but oddly the black sesame rice had sesame underneath the rice instead of on top. I was not a fan of the miso soup at all and found the flavor to be off.
Inflight Service
As we began our descent into Newark, I reflected on the inflight service, and I found it to be one of the better United crews I’ve had in recent years. Service was efficient and friendly, and I was addressed by name a few times. I used my call button as needed during the flight and was warmly and promptly attended to.
The only service issue I had was with the mattress pad. I requested one from a crew member and I didn’t receive it after 20 minutes. I had to request it a second time.
United Business Class Review Tokyo to Newark (777-200) – Pilot Debrief
United offers a solid business class product from Tokyo to Newark, and I wouldn’t hesitate flying with them again. While the seat is not the most modern or private, United offers my overall favorite business class amenities and bedding between the US and Japan. You should be able to sleep well throughout the flight and enjoy a good selection of entertainment. You can also take advantage the Polaris Lounge in Newark upon arrival, which is one of the best business class lounges in the US.
With that said, ANA would be my first choice for travel between Tokyo and the New York area. ANA’s “The Suite” business class is certainly more spacious/modern and will deliver better food and service. However, ANA award space can be tough to come by at the moment and if you fly on ANA to other other US destinations besides New York, it’ll be on its inferior 787 or 777 business class seat.
Comparing United with JAL, the seat comfort is about the same but JAL also would deliver better food and service in my opinon. Like with ANA, JAL award space is slim making United the most compelling miles and points option at the moment.
