Special Meals - Questions, Experiences,... only AVML, GFML, Kosher, VGML meals
Feb 16, 2022, 8:58 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: HHonors Diamond
Posts: 731
Special needs diets and United meal service
Hi,
Recently I was diagnosed with heart failure and as a direct result I am on a restricted diet of 2k mg per day or less. While I plan to continue to travel, I am wondering about Polaris meal services on international flight. Is there a way to request meal service prior to departure that falls within my dietary guidelines? Or is that just a pie in the sky wish?
Hope you all have a better start to your 2022 than I did.
Recently I was diagnosed with heart failure and as a direct result I am on a restricted diet of 2k mg per day or less. While I plan to continue to travel, I am wondering about Polaris meal services on international flight. Is there a way to request meal service prior to departure that falls within my dietary guidelines? Or is that just a pie in the sky wish?
Hope you all have a better start to your 2022 than I did.
Feb 16, 2022, 9:12 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,443
Hi,
Recently I was diagnosed with heart failure and as a direct result I am on a restricted diet of 2k mg per day or less. While I plan to continue to travel, I am wondering about Polaris meal services on international flight. Is there a way to request meal service prior to departure that falls within my dietary guidelines? Or is that just a pie in the sky wish?
Hope you all have a better start to your 2022 than I did.
Recently I was diagnosed with heart failure and as a direct result I am on a restricted diet of 2k mg per day or less. While I plan to continue to travel, I am wondering about Polaris meal services on international flight. Is there a way to request meal service prior to departure that falls within my dietary guidelines? Or is that just a pie in the sky wish?
Hope you all have a better start to your 2022 than I did.
The good news is the tasty pie in the sky cookie is relatively moderate on sodium.
Feb 16, 2022, 9:19 am
#3
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Do you mean sodium? You could request a low sodium meal, but if it is important to you to follow the strict guideline, I would not rely on any airline's catering department. You may have to bring your own, if possible.
Feb 16, 2022, 9:19 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 21,522
2000mg of sodium is actually around the recommended daily intake (based on the label above, it's 2250mg)--probably need to wait for OP to clarify. I swear I saw low-sodium as a special meal choice, but I guess not. LH does offer it.
Feb 16, 2022, 9:21 am
#5
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Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
About two years ago (just before Covid) I sat next to someone who had a low sodium meal brought to him. Perhaps that has been withdrawn?
Feb 16, 2022, 9:21 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: London & Sonoma CA
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I fear UA will be useless in this regard. First they can't be bothered, even in Business Class, to do any special meals (apart from one weird one IIRC - obviously wanted by a senior exec), even regularly requested ones. Second, UA's catering tends to be on the heavy sugar and salt side, so pretty well anything they serve will not be acceptable. The best bet will be to self cater.
Feb 16, 2022, 9:30 am
#7
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Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 21,522
Feb 16, 2022, 9:34 am
#8
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Probably. No longer listed on this website... https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...g/special.html
Feb 16, 2022, 9:41 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,443
There is a SSR code for low sodium, and they quite possibly did once offer it, but I never noticed it as an option with United in recent years. Definitely not now with the nearly non-existent special meals offering.
Feb 16, 2022, 10:14 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: HHonors Diamond
Posts: 731
My apologies, yes, I can only have 2000mg of sodium per day. It's a big change for me, a guy who only weeks ago didn't have to worry about reading labels.
Feb 16, 2022, 10:25 am
#11
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,732
Presently no specials meals except Kosher
Special meals
We are working hard to return our special meal program to more flights across the United network. Check for the latest updates on special meal availability below.
Special meals that are currently available:
Kosher meals are prepared by Kosher caterers under strict Rabbinical supervision. All Kosher meals provided are Glatt Kosher. Special Kosher meals for Passover meals are supplied during Passover.
Currently, Kosher meals are offered on the following United routes:
We are working hard to return our special meal program to more flights across the United network. Check for the latest updates on special meal availability below.
Special meals that are currently available:
Kosher meals are prepared by Kosher caterers under strict Rabbinical supervision. All Kosher meals provided are Glatt Kosher. Special Kosher meals for Passover meals are supplied during Passover.
Currently, Kosher meals are offered on the following United routes:
- All long-haul international flights departing New York/Newark
- All short-haul international and domestic flights over 2,000 miles departing New York/Newark
- Chicago and Tel Aviv
- San Francisco and Tel Aviv
- San Francisco and Sydney
- All long-haul international flights departing the U.S. (effective January 1, 2022)
- All short-haul international flights and domestic flights over 2,000 miles (effective January 1, 2022)
- All international flights inbound to the U.S. (effective February 1, 2022)
Feb 16, 2022, 10:26 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: HHonors Diamond
Posts: 731
Their offerings are:
1) Hindu
2) Gluten Intolerant
3) Kosher
4) Muslim
5) Vegan (Strict) Vegetarian
6) Asian Vegan
7) Child
8) Jain (Mumbain Only)--not relevant
9) Japanese
10) Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo
IDK which would even be close to low sodium. I guess when I am able to return to int'l travel, and United has the full menu offerings back in place, I will have to pack my own melas for business class, which will be a real shame. Hopefully I can get low sodium in the Polaris Lounge pre-flight!
1) Hindu
2) Gluten Intolerant
3) Kosher
4) Muslim
5) Vegan (Strict) Vegetarian
6) Asian Vegan
7) Child
8) Jain (Mumbain Only)--not relevant
9) Japanese
10) Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo
IDK which would even be close to low sodium. I guess when I am able to return to int'l travel, and United has the full menu offerings back in place, I will have to pack my own melas for business class, which will be a real shame. Hopefully I can get low sodium in the Polaris Lounge pre-flight!
Last edited by ekwang; Feb 16, 2022 at 10:28 am Reason: Better detail in post
Feb 16, 2022, 10:30 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,014
Their offerings are:
1) Hindu
2) Gluten Intolerant
3) Kosher
4) Muslim
5) Vegan (Strict) Vegetarian
6) Asian Vegan
7) Child
8) Jain (Mumbain Only)--not relevant
9) Japanese
10) Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo
IDK which would even be close to low sodium. I guess when I am able to return to int'l travel, and United has the full menu offerings back in place, I will have to pack my own melas for business class, which will be a real shame. Hopefully I can get low sodium in the Polaris Lounge pre-flight!
1) Hindu
2) Gluten Intolerant
3) Kosher
4) Muslim
5) Vegan (Strict) Vegetarian
6) Asian Vegan
7) Child
8) Jain (Mumbain Only)--not relevant
9) Japanese
10) Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo
IDK which would even be close to low sodium. I guess when I am able to return to int'l travel, and United has the full menu offerings back in place, I will have to pack my own melas for business class, which will be a real shame. Hopefully I can get low sodium in the Polaris Lounge pre-flight!
Feb 16, 2022, 10:41 am
#14
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,732
Feb 16, 2022, 10:46 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Antonio, USA
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 595
I asked UA via twitter about gluten free meals and when they might return and was told hopefully by mid-year. Not very precise of a response but it’s something. Could go either they reintroduce all special meals at once or they roll it out slowly one by one or in test markets only. I think we know the answer.
