United Lets Economy Passengers Pre-Order Meals and Beverages
Joe Cortez July 29, 2021
United Airlines Dreamliner
United Airlines wants to improve the economy passenger experience by allowing flyers to preorder meals, beverages and snacks before their next trip. Using the United smartphone app, passengers can now select what they want to eat and drink up to five days before their scheduled departure.
Preordering meals and beverages ahead of flights was once a luxury offered only to those traveling in the premium cabin. United Airlines is now giving that same privilege to economy flyers through their smartphone app. Effective immediately, all passengers can now pre-order food and drink up to five days ahead of their flight.
Pre-Order Part of Enhanced Buy-On-Board Menu and Contactless Payments
The new system is part of United’s expanded contactless payment system, spurred forward by the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of processing transactions via credit card, United flyers can now place orders through the United smartphone app and pay with a card on file.
The pre-order system is available for all flights with food and beverage services. When pre-ordering is available, flyers will get a notification on their phones to browse the menu for their specific flight. From the app, they can order which meals, snacks and beverages they would like to purchase ahead of their flight. Although they will have to submit a credit card number, it will not be charged until they are served aboard the flight.
The order ahead option features United’s refreshed buy-on-board menu, featuring three new snack boxes, a la carte snacks, and new alcoholic beverage choices. Economy flyers can now order Mango White Claw seltzers, Breckenridge Brewery Juicy Drop Hazy IPA and Michelob Ultra.
The system is also improving the premium cabin experience as well. The new system will allow business and first class flyers select meal options on select flights, with a receipt of their selection sent to their e-mail address. For hub-to-hub flights of over 800 miles and all flights over 1,500 miles, premium cabin flyers can now select meals including an egg scramble with plant-based chorizo and grilled chicken breast with orzo and lemon basil pesto, and unique deserts including Eli’s Cheesecake “Pie in the Sky.”
New Options Part of United’s Customer Experience Overhaul
The new meal ordering feature is a part of their brand experience improvements, including improved in-flight entertainment options and fleet revitalization. In addition to adding over 250 new airframes, the carrier is also investing in supersonic aircraft and electric-powered aircraft.
For United 1K that gets a free meal item, can they preorder their complementary meal in Economy or is this for pre-paid only?
This doesn't work. I tried to do this for my for last trip ATL-IAH-SFO - and I couldn't figure out how to do it on the app.
It would be nice if pax could pay for food out of their travel bank. ;)
Alaska already does this. It’s convenient. Guests in the back of the plane who used to miss out on sold out items, can now be assured they’ll get their Signature Fruit & Cheese plate. All food is packaged safely and all passengers issued a sanitary hand wipe. This also eliminates food wastage from unsold food and makes better use of galley storage space.
ANA has this - in the website form - for eons. It's a most welcome move, if it improves the choices and their variety. I hope that AA will soon come up with something comparable.