Been a while, but finally had a flight with a new amenity kit to review. First leg of a recent trip had United Polaris 787-10 from Newark to Amsterdam. Here is a review of the United Polaris Amenity Kit 2021 edition, from my flight in November 2021.
United provides amenity kits in premium cabins on long-haul international flights and p.s. premium transcontinental flights. The Polaris version of the kits includes skincare products from Sunday Riley as well as basics of amenity kits like socks, eye mask and earplugs.
Welcome to another installment of our amenity kit review series. As in past reviews, I will be reviewing this amenity kit on a scale from 1 to 5 (being the best) and will rate it based on five categories:
- Bag/container: design, quality and reusability/collectibility of the bag.
- Product: quality, size and variety of the facial and body products.
- Comfort items: eye masks, ear plugs, etc.
- Miscellaneous: pens, tissues and everything else.
- Extras: additional items that make your flight just a tad more comfortable including pajamas, slippers, etc.
United Polaris Amenity Kit, 2021 version
According to United, here is what is available in these kits:
Our new amenity kits contain everything travelers need to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed and revitalized, including a signature padded eye mask, earplugs, skincare products from Sunday Riley, cozy socks, toothbrush, toothpaste and a tissue pack.
There is a card inside describing the contents and another card with a coupon for Sunday Riley. Most items are made in China, except for the bag itself, the toothbrush and the socks made in Cambodia, and the Colgate toothpaste is made in Thailand. Buzz Products from Hong Kong distributes these kits
Bag/Container
The faux-leather bags seem to come in a few colors, seemingly randomly placed on seats. See if you can find the tiny United embossed on the zipper pull. Only a single bag, with no dividers or pouches inside to separate items. The container is fine, not very big, but too small to hold much else, so doubtful this is something I’d reuse. Score: 3.
Product
I’m by no means an expert on skincare, and I don’t recall the Sunday Riley brand from anything other than United amenity kits. They seem like nice products, and the face cream is appreciated, although 5ml container won’t last long. I realize the intent is to use these on board, and as most people just discard them before departing the plane. Besides face cream, more typical items include a tube of lip balm, hand lotion, and a single use facial cleansing cloth. No mouthwash or mints…Score: 3.5
Comfort Items
The eye mask is better than many other business class offerings, with Polaris branded foam which is molded to stay away from eyelashes. Kind of nice, although the fabric feels cheap. Pajamas are provided to passengers on flights over 12 hours. No such luck, as my flight was barely half of that. The socks provided are rather thin, but at least have a bit of a pattern, and some rubber grip on the bottom, although do not wear these into the onboard lavatories without shoes/slippers. Earplugs are in a Polaris branded plastic pouch Score: 3.5
Miscellaneous Items
A toothbrush is a staple of amenity kits, and there is also a tiny 5g tube of Colgate toothpaste. Colgate seems to have a monopoly on amenity kits. More often than not, that’s what is offered. The toothbrush is small and would work in a pinch, but I bring and use my own. A half-sized pen is included, along with a small pack of tissues. The latter to items aren’t always included in kits, but are appreciated. Also another hand sanitizing wipe…likely a pandemic era provision. Score: 3
Extras
There are 2 pillows, a duvet and a thinner day blanket at the seat. Pretty extensive offering for business class, but the problem is there is no easy place to store them. I shoved most of it into the footrest until I used it later in flight. The gel pillow is a novelty, and actually quite nice. Air vents are available, so temperature regulation is pretty easy on board. Cabin was warm, but the fresh air helped, and I did sleep with the duvet on me without getting too hot. Score: 3.5
Final thoughts on the United Polaris Amenity kit
The Sunday Riley face cream is nice, and a bonus for a business class kit. The bedding is great, but not really part of the amenity kit which is the point of my review here. By averaging the scores, I rate this kit 3.3
Have you tried out one of United’s current Polaris Amenity kits? Please let us know what you think.
I’m pretty geeky about these amenity kits, and always take them after flights. This means I have more than I need. For this reason, I make donations to a local shelter, where these items are really appreciated. If you have extras, I hope you do the same.
Other Amenity Kit Reviews
- Japan Airlines First Class
- ANA First Class
- British Airways First Class
- Virgin Atlantic Upper Class
- Qantas First Class
- Thai Airways First Class (Rimowa 2014)
- Japan Airlines Business Class
- Lufthansa First Class (Escada)
- Cathay Pacific Business Class (new Seventy-Eight Percent)
- United Airlines BusinessFirst (Cowshed Kit)
- United Airlines BusinessFirst
- American Airlines Transcon First Class (Reno Air Heritage Series)
- United Airlines BusinessFirst (new TEAM USA kit)
- Lufthansa Business Class (Bree)
- Etihad Business Class (LUXE)
- Qatar Airways Economy Class
- American Airlines Business Class (Cole Haan 2016)
- American Airlines Business Class (Cole Haan 2017)
- Austrian Airlines Business Class
- Delta One Domestic Tumi
- Air France La Premiére
- Qantas First Class Martin Grant
- American Airlines Business Class (Cole Haan 2018)
- Lufthansa Business Class (Reisenthel 2018)
- Swiss Business Class (Victorinox 2018)
- American Airlines Business Class (This is Ground 2019)
- American Airlines Premium Economy (STATE 2019)
- Cathay Pacific First Class (Male 2019)
- American Airlines First Class (2019)
