The new seat will debut in December this year

United Airlines has unveiled its all-new United Polaris business class, the airline’s most significant product transformation in more than a decade.

The new seat features a reimagined, sleep-enhancing, departure-to-landing experience for intercontinental travellers.

The new seat will debut on the B777-300ER deliveries at the end of 2016.

Named after the North Star, United Polaris is the shining new star of business class travel that flyers can turn to for a tranquil and restful journey.

“United Polaris will change the game in international business travel with an exceptional level of relaxation and comfort throughout our customers’ journeys,” said Oscar Munoz, president and chief executive of United.

“This completely reconceived experience exemplifies the new spirit of United and the innovation, excitement and operational momentum across our airline.”

United will also open an exclusive portfolio of United Polaris business class lounges in nine locations around the world – the only lounge of its kind offered by a US airline to business class customers – that will feature custom-designed chairs, private daybeds, spa-like showers and chef-inspired hot meals served in a boutique restaurant setting so customers can refresh and dine before boarding their planes.

Premium sparkling wines and spirits, refreshing snacks and bottled water will also be offered. 

The first new United Polaris lounge will open at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on December 1st, 2016.

Lounges in eight other locations – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington Dulles, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong and London Heathrow – will follow in 2017.

United will begin to introduce United Polaris on December 1st, 2016, with the new inflight food and beverage experience, new custom bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, new amenity kits and the new United Polaris lounge in Chicago.

The United Polaris business class seat will first take flight in December on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and subsequently on Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, as well as on Boeing 767-300 and 777-200 retrofits.

United Polaris will serve business class customers flying the US airline industry’s most global route network, reaching more than 330 destinations in more than 50 countries.

This year, United launches or resumes eight intercontinental routes, including the first-ever service between the United States and the Chinese cities of Xi’an and Hangzhou.