Originally Posted by
aviation425
How does UAL wine compare to other international offerings?
In my book, favorably. However, it doesn’t mean all the wines on UA are better than all the wines on other airlines. UA strategically spends on a flagship (-ish) Cabernet, and this makes a statement. I’m not sure the Whispering Angel at $15 retail makes the same statement.
Originally Posted by
halls120
This. I’ll never understand why UA cares enough about wine to serve really good options, but when it comes to food, they just don’t care.
Originally Posted by
hirohito888
Because wine is easier to purchase and transport. Food requires working with caterers across different hubs and outstations to coordinate for consistency and quality. And UA is too cheap to put the work in to improve food.
Originally Posted by
elitefreak
AND because they are getting excellent wines at a deep discount (to introduce high value clients to their winery) so it doesn't hit their bottom line.
Originally Posted by
Kacee
This seems the real explanation. Much as they do with their amenity kits and onboard/PL toiletries. Will be interesting to see whether they can keep finding wineries willing to participate.
All of this sounds true to me.
- It is a lot easier to roll out a commodity product, than designing new menus and consistently executing them 30,000 feet up in the sky.
- My bet is that with their volume, they’re an attractive customer to start with. Just having somebody in Procurement who cares about wine, also makes a massive difference.