Agreed, this is certainly a recent improvement (although the cynics would say just one more inedible option .)

Yet on a longer flights they only offer two for the pre-arrival meal. And on the Asian flights, one is usually congee, so if you are not into congee, then you are limited to whatever the other choice.

Yes, I realize they have a more substantial mid flight offering, but it would be nice if they had more choices for pre-arrival.

I think the number of pre-arrival options is the same for TPAC and TATL: two departing US and three returning to US. Kind of weird.

Yes, but returning from TATL is the lengthier flight. Whereas returning from TPAC is the shorter one. Definitely odd.

UA938 ORD to LHR. Got the 1k welcome. Great proactive crew. Meal served on single tray.

Did you mean ORD to LHR?

IAH-MUC, August 2025

Appetizer (OK, at least not frozen as I have had many times ex-MUC on this route)



Pan seared halibut with red quinoa, vegetables and fire roasted pepper sauce (rather bland and dry, but red pepper flakes helped!)



Shafer cab and Laurent-Perrier champagne were excellent. Skipped breakfast in favor of LH SEN lounge (was off plane, thru Schengen immigration, and in LH SEN lounge within 9 minutes!)

Glad you did not have the single tray service and the main dish was served separately. United has been inconsistent.
I have had that fish dish several times and it has always been bland and dry. Not sure why UA continues to keep it on the menu. Salmon seems to be a better choice.
I may also opt to skip the breakfast when I travel to central EU via Germany next month.
The only catering improvement I have seen on UA is the wine list and salad. Everything else remains the same despite the new linen and the dishware.

What's with the red wine in a flute?

Maybe that�s Port?

Had maybe the worst service in Polaris the other day - UA933 FRA-IAD. Usual pre-departure confirmation of meals, my wife and I preordered - we were being served by two different flight attendants since we were in opposite aisles. When they asked about our appetizer choice, she chose the beets while I chose the prawns. They didn't ask us about second choices (I assume because of our status - both 1K) while I overheard the flight attendant asking others for their first and second choice.

Meal gets served and my wife doesnt get an appetizer. She was told they ran out of the beets and the only remaining appetizer were the prawns, which she declined since she isn't a big seafood fan. During the meal service, she was offered the bread basket several times, no dice for me. Never saw the flight attendant working my aisle bring around the bread basket. After a while, when they came to pick up the trays, I finally asked about getting some bread and was told the meal service was over.

Oh, and after the initial drink service, was never offered or asked if I wanted a refill (I was having just water) - I guess its one glass and that's it.

About and hour left in the flight, I was pretty engrossed in a book, I realized that I was never offered a pre-arrival meal. Once I realized it, I asked for the meal, got a pretty snotty look from the FA, and was given the only type of meal that was left, never got an option. After about five minutes, he purser made the announcement that all service was concluded - "the kitchen is closed." The FA then came around and picked up my meal, which was about half eaten. Also, I asked about getting a glass of water with the meal, but it never showed up.

I realize these are first world problems, but this was pretty ridiculous. I will say that the FA responsibility for my section of Polaris spent most of her time speaking with what I can only assume is a friend of hers sitting a few seats up from me.

While I don't fly Polaris for the food (just for the hard product) - I actually submitted a complaint with United. We'll see what comes of it.

One thing that is consistent with United is inconsistency. This unfortunately has become the norm with many United FA�s- no accountability in premium cabins. United should have a merit based system whereby FAs are recognized for providing good service.

Fantastic hop on United from LHR to ORD on UA959 (11:05 Departure). Growing up in the Chicago area, I have a soft spot for UA, and on their day, their flights feel like a warm hug from home. Other days they are a blast of wintry cold air.

Had a nice Singaporean breakfast in the SQ lounge beforehand. Great wine / champagne and halfway decent food + a comfy seat on the 767. Beet starter was ace. Very kind crew across the board. I always prefer the lunchtime departure.

I have felt like this after many UA flights. And yet, after many others I have felt like the UA crew was amazing and that UA could compete with the best in the world with a tiny bit more effort.

As many have said here over and over, UA seems content with allowing hit-or-miss from its crew on service standards.

Sounds like a pretty crappy crew in that cabin.
Every now and then you get one like that; you can tell pretty soon after boarding whether the crew meshes well together as a team, or if they all are doing their own thing separately. The latter is usually where service goes downhill fast.

Not sure I understand that part. Second choice of what? You pre-ordered the main meal, so you mean appetizers? How many appetizer choices did you have?