Let’s be honest — long-haul flights can be brutal. But, babes, flying United Polaris Business Class from Auckland to Washington, D.C. (via San Francisco) was the complete opposite. This was luxury, comfort, and full-blown glamour at 30,000 feet. Yes, I was seated. Yes, I was reclining. And yes, I was absolutely thriving.
Departure Lounge Eleganza in Auckland
The journey kicked off in style at the Air New Zealand Lounge at Auckland Airport. Picture floor-to-ceiling windows, a gorgeous buffet spread, barista-made coffee (or bubbles, if you’re on my level), and plenty of cosy seating. It was chic, calm, and the perfect way to begin the trip, with a glass of Champagne in hand and a mental “goodbye” to economy.
Category Is: Luxury Cabin Couture
Boarding was as smooth as my pre-pubescent-looking face. The United Polaris cabin is all navy and grey sophistication — moody lighting, roomy pods, and Saks Fifth Avenue bedding. As I settled into my seat, the flight attendant handed me a glass of Champagne. I took a sip, looked around, and thought: Is this my villain origin story? Because I could get used to this.
Dining at Altitude: Fit for a Queen
As the plane took off into the night, the culinary experience kicked off. And honey, it was everything. The appetiser options included seared prawns or a mozzarella cheese board, plus a crisp baby greens salad. I love a moment of freshness at altitude.
For mains, I went with the salmon steak, served on jasmine rice with a dreamy coconut curry sauce. It was divine. Other options included braised beer short ribs, garlic roasted chicken, or spinach & ricotta cannelloni — all served restaurant-style, and gorgeously plated.
Dessert? Buckle up. It was a proper ice cream sundae bar with ALL the toppings (hello hot fudge, sprinkles, and more). And if you’re indecisive like me, don’t worry — I also got the cheese plate. Because luxury means never having to choose.
Sweet Dreams in the Sky
Now, the seat. The lie-flat, full-length, extra-cushy Polaris seat is in a league of its own. With plush bedding, noise-cancelling headphones, mood lighting, and a full privacy divider, I was asleep in minutes. Truly, I haven’t slept that well since Sydney Mardi Gras 2023 (after three nights out and one too many vodka tonics).
Smooth Transit Through San Fran
Landing in San Francisco for my layover was surprisingly breezy. The crew gave clear directions before we even left the plane, and the United app had everything I needed. I breezed through immigration, changed terminals, and still had time for a cheeky coffee before my next flight.
Unexpected Domestic Bliss
Now, let’s talk about the flight from San Fran to D.C. — because it wasn’t your usual cramped domestic nightmare. It was the same Polaris-style plane, with the same lie-flat seat. I was shook. I stretched out, caught a few more ZZZs, and landed in Washington at 5 pm feeling rested, radiant, and ready to party. (Which I did, immediately.)
Homeward Bound in Peak Comfort
The journey home gave me one more reason to fall in love with United Polaris — well, two actually — thanks to the D.C. Polaris Lounge, which I took full advantage of prior to my departure, followed by another fabulous stopover in San Francisco, with yet again full access to the Polaris Lounge from arrival to departure.
That’s right — from the moment I landed off my D.C.–SFO leg, I was able to check straight into lounge luxury — no stress, no hunting for gates, no endless terminal wandering. Just pure, uninterrupted comfort.
I had a shower (with spa-grade Cowshed products, thank you very much), slipped into a lounge chair, had a proper sit-down meal from the à la carte menu, and sipped a glass of wine while watching planes taxi past the runway. The vibe? Calm, curated, and completely designed to make the long-haul leg feel like not a big deal at all.
There were quiet zones to relax in, massage chairs to melt into, and plenty of time to unwind before boarding the final flight home to Auckland. And the best part? The entire process felt like part of the holiday — not the end of it.
Jet Lag? I don’t know her!
Thanks to the smooth layovers, premium lounges, and the lie-flat comfort of Polaris (on both legs), I arrived home without that usual zombie vibe. The time zone shifts and 24+ hours of travel felt like a breeze — no swollen ankles, no 3 am wide-awake moments, no days lost to recovery. Just me, back in Aotearoa, rested, recharged, and only mildly depressed to no longer be mid-air with a sundae cart.
Final Thoughts from 30,000 Feet
Flying United Polaris from Auckland to Washington, D.C. and back was an absolute serve. Luxurious cabins. Thoughtful service. Delicious food. Lay-flat dreams. Seamless transfers. And lounge experiences that make you forget you’re even in transit.
If you’re planning a Stateside trip and want to arrive feeling fresh, fabulous, and ready to slay — not stumble — United Polaris is the way to do it. Because let’s be real: we deserve a little luxury. (Especially if there’s a sundae cart involved.)
Book your trip now at united.com and tell them I sent you!
