I was in C on UA301 on a new config 3 class 763 (love the IFE and bed) Monday and the fruit plate/deli plate was the option for breakfast, though it also included a hot croissant and the meat was turkey. I remember being served this deli plate as the snack on a domestic F redeye on LAX-BOS early last year. I would venture to guess that part of this is to introduce service differentiation between C and F as much as it is just United being cheap. Still, I didn't mind because I actually like the plate so long as there is no red meat involved.

Ironically, the lunch in standard domestic F on the 757 on UA 69, a far shorter flight, that I connected to, was both hot and more substantial. It was a hot turkey and cheddar sandwich on a 6" multi-grain roll with a side of rather tasty cold mint and cucumber couscous and a hot cookie. It was actually one of the better domestic F meals I have had in a long time. There was also a cold grilled shrimp salad option.