Economy International Meal Survey [Merged Threads]

[UA-NYC]

Originally Posted by cl.lurker

I'm not sure if it makes the situation any better, but the survey was not done by UA, but a third-party company, IIRC.

Either way,

Someone at WHQ commissioned the project, gave an overall desired outcome and deliverable, read the survey, tested it live, made changes, and approved it - for all intents and purposes (or "intensive purposes" as some would say), it was done by UA.

[hathorlive]

Do they plan on handing out prescription strength sleeping pills? That would be an interesting way to stock up on my ambien reserve, but I'm not sure I want to be on a plane full of people who haven't been medically prescribed something that strong. I guess if your service sucks this badly, you need to medicate the entire coach cabin.

[das]

Originally Posted by aep

Guess what? That crappy current economy class meal photo? That's mine! Used without permission!

Here's the original
and the cropped version they used

I'm speechless. I can't believe they would steal my photo of their own product. That alone has made me never want to use their product again. I guess that's one way to lose customers - steal their intellectual property.

Now the mystery of why they showed a special meal for the "regular onboard meal" is solved. I was always puzzled why they showed a vegetarian curry, when it's not a meal that would necessarily appeal to a mainstream palate... I'd think it would skew the survey results? I guess finding an "easy" picture was more important.

Keep us posted on how UA and/or the survey company responds to you.

[craydot]

I am going to be in vast the minority here, but I think this is a great option.

Have you seen the state of the international economy meal? It is disgusting. The meal I was served between Bangkok and Narita looked like something out of a SciFi movie. I would welcome the option to purchase a higher quality meal, rather than ingesting the salt-lick specials provided these days. I care about the quality of what I eat, and sometimes only get my first meal of the day while flying.

In fact, I recently had a high quality sandwich (for purchase) on Virgin America. It was similar to something I would order at a fine cafe. Well worth ten dollars.

Times are changing. Instead of everyone crying about what is about to be taken away, how about embracing the concept of getting something you actually like? We are all just conditioned to the free meal. I don't want to consume a meal that United paid six dollars for. McDonalds is six dollars, not a proper meal.

Meals are (traditionally) not included when you travel via first class train in Europe. You have the choice of going to the dining car and buying one.

It has always amazed me at what people expect these airlines to provide. They are providing a service to move us around the globe... usually at a fairly decent price. Think of the 'total infrastructure' required , from booking to landing, for an airline to enable your flight bewteen Sydney and London. They deserve to earn profits for the mere fact of flight alone.

The cost of goods continues to climb worldwide, yet many seem to think an airline's costs for goods remains stuck in 1978. Although, I do agree that charging for water is criminal. It is the one item your body actually needs while flying, and this, at minimum, should be a gratis item.

Has anyone out there actually had a good economy meal in the last five years? I am really curious to hear. Thanks!

[CommittedLurker]

Originally Posted by craydot

Has anyone out there actually had a good economy meal in the last five years? I am really curious to hear. Thanks!

Yes, I have. On SQ and 9W. (By good, I mean a decent meal. Definitely better than the horror stories I have heard about UA)

Not all airlines are going the way of UA and other domestic American airlines.

This is where UA will lose out I think. They are trying to apply the same nickel and dime principles to int'l travel, that they have applied in the US domestic market. It won't work. Not while there is foreign competition.

This is why Virgin America may charge for food, but Virgin Atlantic does not.

You can't compare a 2-6 hour domestic flight with an int'l one.

[bucketlist]

Originally Posted by craydot

Has anyone out there actually had a good economy meal in the last five years? I am really curious to hear. Thanks!

Yes, on LH, CLT-MUC, both directions, last month.

I've had 8 strange meals going to/from NRT (and BKK or SIN and various US gateways) in the last 3 months - trying various approaches, vegan, low fat - none were "good", the Asian meal was the best of the lot. Fortunately there were excellent food offerings in SIN lounge, a wonderful curry and draft beer at 6:00 a.m. as well as more traditional breakfast fare. The RCC in NRT usually had sushi (and a nice beer dispensing machine). As German/Czech folks discovered ages ago, you can get 25 % of your calorie requirements from malt beverages.

Air travel is a wonderful bargain, even now. My first transatlantic, in 1968, on Pan Am, had a RT ticket price of about $800 or so, probably about $5K today. There was wonderful people service and flexibility in those days - even easy to change flights from one carrier to another. IFE was none or poor.

Airlines have to make a profit. I'd pay more for premium food service on select routes, tho w/ 6 SWU's & grazing in nice *A lounges, hope there will be little need for food UFC's. It's puzzling how LH can offer good food, and free booze, and (I think) make a profit - doubtless from many frugal folks stuffed into the 31 or 32" seat pitch in economy and a few folks paying big bucks in C in their stretched airbus.