BA_Jfan

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?

joshwex90

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.

sillypainter

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.

BA_Jfan

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.

joshwex90

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)

BA_Jfan

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?

joshwex90

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.

BA_Jfan

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.

joshwex90

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

BA_Jfan

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

joshwex90

I'm booked on award.

BA_Jfan

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.

joshwex90

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

craz

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

joshwex90

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)