Flight Home from Rome: Our United Polaris Experience to Dulles

This is post 17 in our Greek Isles Cruise and Rome Adventure series. After two memorable weeks exploring the Mediterranean, including several days in Rome, it was time to make the journey home. Our return flight home from Rome included a first-time experience for us — United’s Polaris business class — which made the long trip across the Atlantic a little more comfortable and gave us time to reflect on a wonderful trip.

This article is part of the Greek Isles Cruise and Rome Adventure series. You can view the full series here.

Leaving Rome

We had one last breakfast at the hotel before a car arrived to take us to Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, about 30 kilometers from the center of Rome. Our last day in the city had arrived.

The final day of a vacation always carries a bit of sadness, and this one was no different. We had a great time, saw a lot, and still felt like there was more to experience. That’s probably a good sign, I guess.

We had really begun to feel comfortable in Rome. But it was time to say goodbye, addio in Italian, and head back to Virginia.

Our driver arrived right on time… actually a little early. He helped load the luggage into the car, and after thanking everyone we could find at the hotel, we were soon on our way to the airport.

One Last Look at the City

Making our way through the narrow streets one last time, I found myself still taking in the architecture, the history, and the overall feel of the city. Even with the crowds here and there, Rome always seems to bring a certain energy. Scooters slipped through the narrow streets while people lingered in small piazzas, as if no one was in much of a hurry.

I spent most of the ride reflecting on the past couple of weeks, the food, the people, the places we visited, and the memories we created along the way.

The check-in process at the airport went smoothly. It was well organized, and the staff was everywhere helping travelers, answering questions, and guiding people in the right direction for their particular flights.

While we were still on the cruise ship, United had notified us that a couple of business-class seats had opened up on our return flight home from Rome. The upgrade price wasn’t nearly as high as some I’ve seen before, so we decided to take advantage of it.

These seats were part of United’s Polaris business-class service, and we were looking forward to the experience.

The Polaris Experience Begins

Before boarding, we spent some time in the Polaris lounge. There was an impressive variety of food and drinks available, with comfortable seating throughout. It was a great place to grab a bite to eat and relax before the flight.

The thought of being able to fully recline on a ten-hour flight was something Demi and I were very much looking forward to. It would make the long trip home a little more tolerable.

Before we knew it, we were boarding our flight for the long haul back to Virginia, a direct flight to Dulles Airport.

Boarding the plane gave us our first real look at the Polaris cabin. The seating was arranged in pods, each angled slightly for privacy. It immediately felt different from the typical rows of seats further back in the aircraft.

Demi and I each had window seats and were seated one behind the other, but because of the angled layout, it was actually impossible to see or talk to one another without standing up. She had full access to her window, while mine sat slightly behind my shoulder, so I couldn’t really see out of it.

After finding our seats, we were offered a warm towel and champagne as we settled in. The Polaris experience is definitely a step or two above the economy cabin. Once seated, I started taking inventory of what was available. There was a travel kit with items such as lotions, a dental kit, face wash, lip balm, and a few other “freshen-up” items. There was also a full-size pillow, Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, and a large screen with full-size headphones.

That was my first impression after getting settled. Neither of us had ever flown this way before, so we spent a few minutes just figuring out what all the buttons did and noticing the various places to plug in phones and other devices.

Of course, I had to see if the seat would fully recline, and it did — completely flat. There was even a sliding partition that could close off the seat from the aisle.

Soon after boarding, the pilot announced that our flight would be delayed by about half an hour. Normally, that kind of announcement would make me think, here we go again, more restless time sitting on the plane. But this time it was easier to take in stride. The comfort factor certainly helped.

Before long, we were airborne and on our way back to Virginia.

Crossing the Atlantic

Lunch service came fairly soon after takeoff. We had actually ordered our meals several days before the flight. I chose a vegetarian lunch, and Demi ordered a chicken dish. When the meals arrived, there was certainly plenty of food. Mine was all vegetables, some probably a little overcooked, but it did the trick. Demi said her chicken dish was good.

Overall, it was adequate and definitely better than some of the meals we’ve had in economy over the years. Still, I wouldn’t say the food was anything to write home about. Then again, what can you really expect when you’re eating in a flying tube at 37,000 feet?

Later on, I ordered a cheese and fruit plate with a small glass of wine. That turned out to be a nice way to wind down before a nap. After a while, the cabin lights were dimmed, making it even easier to relax. Somewhere over the Atlantic, the flight map on the screen showed us slowly crossing the ocean toward home.

Reclining comfortably under the blanket, I soon found myself in full sleep mode. It was a quiet, surprisingly restful sleep. Demi slept soundly as well, bundled up under her blanket.

After several hours of sleep, and with about two hours remaining before arrival at Dulles, I spent some time reading. The flight attendants would stop by periodically to see if we needed anything: a drink, a snack, or some water. At that point, we both stuck with bottled water. The air in an airplane can really dry you out.

I also tried a few of the “arrive refreshed” items from the travel kit, a spray, and some towelettes. Surprisingly, they did help me feel a bit more awake.

Before long, we heard the announcement that we had begun our final approach into Dulles. With that, our two-week adventure was coming to a close. As I mentioned earlier, the final moments of a trip always carry a bit of sadness. But there’s also something comforting about knowing you’re almost home.

Touching Down at Home

The thud of the wheels touching the runway and the rising whine of the engines as the plane slowed were the final signals that our trip was officially over.

Looking back, the Polaris experience certainly made the long flight home from Rome more comfortable than any we’ve taken before. But more than anything, it gave us a quiet stretch of time to relax, sleep, and reflect on the trip we had just experienced. From the ancient streets of Rome to the quiet hum of the cabin crossing the Atlantic, it was a journey we won’t soon forget.

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