Religious Travelers - Special meals in UA international F

I'm booked in UA 3-class F from ORD-BRU with continental miles. The confirmation I got said no special meals available. When I called UA to order the rep was able to order a KSML just fine. Does anyone know why this is? Am I likely to get it? Is UA phasin out special meals or is it only on some routes?

CO.com says no special meals? There are some known bugs regarding what the site says is available in terms of SPMLs and what's actually available. Also problems regarding what meals the site claims is available and what's actually served. (Many times it says no meals when really it's breakfast and lunch.)
There is definitely a KSML available, but it'll likely be KoshAir. I was supposed to be flying ORD-BRU in F, but switched to EWR-BRU, which has the considerably better Weiss Catering.

As long as agent ordered it, you should be fine, though I recommend calling in about 48 hours before just to ensure KSML is still there. Also, when it comes to UA, if you make any changes, call again to re-reserve the KSML.

I'm booked in UA 3-class F from ORD-BRU with continental miles. The confirmation I got said no special meals available. When I called UA to order the rep was able to order a KSML just fine. Does anyone know why this is? Am I likely to get it? Is UA phasin out special meals or is it only on some routes?

OT: I've done UA F many times, although the seat is excellent and private, the kosher food sucks, please don't expect a "SPECIAL" meal, it's a regular economy style meal.

I don't have the option of routing through EWR because it's an award ticket so I'm at the mercy of whoever determines how award space is released. Is Weiss catering that much better that it's worth stopping over?

Does anyone have the typical KoshAir menu? Is it at least edible?

And the notion that UA won't upgrade the JSML in F is ridiculous. I have flown J on BA more than 20 times and a few times in coach. There's a noticeable difference between the J and Y KSML offerings. I flew OS in Y a few years ago and had an excellent KSML. I'm wowed by UA's low standards.

It's a problem with UA, that may (read: hopefully and likely) will change as the merger with CO continues. CO uses Regal out of all USA stations which is one of the better meals. UA uses KoshAir EXCEPT out of EWR where they use Weiss. I've had the Weiss Y meal and it's pretty good. So I'm hoping the F meal will be an F meal. I know that Regal Y meals are solid and the BF meal on CO is one of the best C KSMLs out there.
Regarding changes, did you book this through OnePass or Mileage Plus? If OP, you can always change the route from ORD-BRU to ORD-EWR-BRU for free as long as you make the change more than 21 days before the flight, and the origin and destination remain the same. Just call in to change. The potential downside of the EWR flight is the chance of getting an old 772 config. Ex-ORD, you're guaranteed to to get the new F. Ex-EWR, you'll likely get a new config, as the 772 in use on this route, most have been upgraded, and they tend to use the upgraded ones on this route. But it's still a gamble. (Although old F is still fully lie-flat with unrestricted aisle access)

I booked thru OP My final destination is actually TLV and I'm only stopping in BRU, albeit for 10 hours. I'm connecting to SN in J (read: Y with no middle seat) and there's supposedly no KSML on that flight either, though the CO rep did successfully order it.
Is the EWR-BRU a 3 class or 2 class plane?

I booked thru OP My final destination is actually TLV and I'm only stopping in BRU, albeit for 10 hours. I'm connecting to SN in J (read: Y with no middle seat) and there's supposedly no KSML on that flight either, though the CO rep did successfully order it.
Is the EWR-BRU a 3 class or 2 class plane?
At the end of the day, it's up to you. My original routing was EWR-ORD-BRU-TLV, but I changed the EWR-ORD-BRU to EWR-BRU direct, and hoping for the new config. I changed BRU-TLV to BRU-ZRH-TLV on LX to get LX C as well (although admittedly, I'm taking a 33 hour layover in BRU and touring Brussels, Bruges, and Antwerp. As long as you're 21 days out, changes are free. And if you want, you can also do a layover for free. If you're starting in ORD, it would obviously be a hassle to do ORD-EWR-BRU-ZRH-TLV, but you can play around - if you're anyways going to be in F, and already paid for F (with miles,) you can also try out LH or LX F.

Well obviously there has to be award space which I could not find. But I'd love to try J on LH or LX if I could get space.

Did you call in? The website doesn't always show all available space

Are you booked on an award or cash ticket? And will try calling to see what they say.

I'm booked on award.

What time do you arrive in BRU and what is the routing you are taking from there to ZRH and TLV? What time you leave BRU and what time is the TLV leg departing ZRH?
I found plenty of award space on LH with long layovers in FRA, which probably has a better J lounge than BRU but they all arrive at 3am. I would like to arrive at a more civil hour.

EWR-BRU: Arrive BRU at 07:50
BRU-ZRH: Depart BRU at 18:40; Arrive ZRH at 19:40
ZRH-TLV: Depart ZRH at 22:45; Arrive TLV at 03:30

I am doing a 35 hour layover in BRU

I don't have the option of routing through EWR because it's an award ticket so I'm at the mercy of whoever determines how award space is released. Is Weiss catering that much better that it's worth stopping over?

Does anyone have the typical KoshAir menu? Is it at least edible?

And the notion that UA won't upgrade the JSML in F is ridiculous. I have flown J on BA more than 20 times and a few times in coach. There's a noticeable difference between the J and Y KSML offerings. I flew OS in Y a few years ago and had an excellent KSML. I'm wowed by UA's low standards.

Weiss used to be alot better yrs ago, CO uses Regal which is not bad. UA beisdes EWR uses KoshAir which has to be the worst garbage (OK maybe that belongs to Stogels) especially in Coach, the plastic knife usually brakes when you try to cut the muffen which is as hard as cement

I usually get decent portions in Biz on the ps flights, with the apple studel being the best part of the meal. Breakfast no amtter what is pure garbage and usually its French Toast all 3 1/2 slices of bread that is, and since its bread you must wash. If its an egg omelet the cheese isnt CY (Chlov Yisroel)

Either way KoshAir meals are GREAT if you have been constipated, they clean you out completely in no time

Now would I fly via EWR just to get Weiss or Regal, Nope but thats me.I would if the plane from EWR would have a better setup cabin wise. eg Ive flown JFK-IAD-FRA-TLV just to get E+ from IAD-FRA since LH is worse then LY in coach and it was an award tkt so it wasnt done to score any extra EQMs

In F/C, you're guaranteed new F and new C on ORD-BRU as it's a 763. EWR-BRU almost always gets the new config, but it's not a guarantee as it's a 772. (The variant they use has upgraded more than 60%, and they tend to put the new config on this route for competitive reasons, but again, it's not 100% like the 763.)
For Y, if you get the new config, it's significantly better than the 763, just because of the IFE alone (now free)

And there's no fee for changing routing from BRU-TLV thru FRA or ZRH?

As long as it's more than 21 days out, and the origin and destination are kept the same, there's no fee.
Within 21 days, the fees are: $75/$50/$25/$0 for general members, Silver elites, Gold elites, and Plats, respectively.
There may be change in tax/fees though simply because I believe FRA has higher taxes than other airports. (If your initial routing was EWR-FRA-TLV, and you change to EWR-ZRH-TLV, you'd actually get a refund of the extra taxes)

How much are German taxes?

How much are German taxes?
About $30 more than ZRH (at least FRA; might be different at MUC)

I found availability thru ATH, FRA, and IST. Does anyone know if Turkish and Aegean offer good J on these flights?

I found availability thru ATH, FRA, and IST. Does anyone know if Turkish and Aegean offer good J on these flights?
On the TLV flights, I believe both use narrow-body planes

You're probably better off asking all these questions in either the CO forum or the *A forum

Please discuss the normal (not religiously based or influenced) cuisine and hard product of the various airlines in the appropriate airline forum; discussing these here deprive the discussants of member input, and members not concerned in religious aspects of travel of the discussions of cuisine or aircraft accommodations being mooted here.

Thanks for your consideration.

JDiver, Senior Moderator

I found availability thru ATH, FRA, and IST. Does anyone know if Turkish and Aegean offer good J on these flights?

the food out of IST is the long live shelf garbage even IST-JFK or at least it was a yr or so ago when I flew TK.A3 I have no idea but wouldnt expect much . FRA if thats LH its a fresh meal just dont care much for LH

That said LH flys only wide bodys into TLV, while TK and A3 use A320 or 737 so no real Biz seat

There have been cases of LH serving Stogel. One reason I prefer LX is the flat bed in C. The other is Shalom catering.

There have been cases of LH serving Stogel.

Not out of FRA, I think just MUC, But to TLV thats a morn flight and no big deal for me to skip. I usually skip the FRA-TLV ,eal as Im fast asleep by the tim ethey come to serve it

Of cause a MUC-US will be affected so best to route not via MUC on the way to the States

I try to make my long haul sectors to and from europe only from LHR and ZRH.
I find that the Kosher catering and minyan / chavrusa opportunities are just not as good from other gateways.
That being said, I have flown from IST and ATH to TLV, really nothing to write home about. Pretty low quality kosher catering. Mind you, those flights are only two hours, so who really cares.

the food out of IST is the long live shelf garbage even IST-JFK or at least it was a yr or so ago when I flew TK.A3 I have no idea but wouldnt expect much . FRA if thats LH its a fresh meal just dont care much for LH

That said LH flys only wide bodys into TLV, while TK and A3 use A320 or 737 so no real Biz seat
Not correct anymore. I've written on these threads before that TK has great fresh food now (under OK supervision).

I've found sometimes, randomly, great meals, even in Y. Specifically IB and LO. TK has also had some great found, though I've only flown in Y, never in C, so can't comment on C KSMLs.

Not correct anymore. I've written on these threads before that TK has great fresh food now (under OK supervision).

OK thanks didnt run across that, but its still TK and until the govt changes its policy towards Israel, I have no plans on setting foot onto any of their planes even as a free tkt (they do get some $$ even for that)

Yes Id gladly pay more $$ or miles and fly on someone else , even if that meant getting a Stogel meal

OK thanks didnt run across that, but its still TK and until the govt changes its policy towards Israel, I have no plans on setting foot onto any of their planes even as a free tkt (they do get some $$ even for that)

Yes Id gladly pay more $$ or miles and fly on someone else , even if that meant getting a Stogel meal
Also, not from a political, but more a practical perspective - I will avoid TK just because I don't want to have to transit IST, especially to/from TLV.

What is Brussels Airlines likely to serve ex-BRU?

What is Brussels Airlines likely to serve ex-BRU?

Hermoilis frozen

Hermolis out of LHR on BA is great. How's their frozen product?

Hermolis out of LHR on BA is great. How's their frozen product?

Probably just as good, maybe a little less flavorful because of being frozen.

Will I get a KSML on LH in J from BRU-FRA? What should I expect?

Just changed routing to ORD-BRU-FRA-TLV

Will I get a KSML on LH in J from BRU-FRA? What should I expect?

Just changed routing to ORD-BRU-FRA-TLV

Probably not. I thikn the minumum flight time for special meals in J is around 70 mins, I don't get for FRA-BSL or simiar lengths, but do get for FRA-CDG.
You can put in a request and see immediately if it confirms. IF it does, you'll get the KSML (cold snack from Sohar in Frankfurt).

The CO agent was able to confirm it, but the LH website is showing "no preference" but a KSML did confirm on LH website for the FRA-TlV route. Is the cold snack I might get likely to be any good