2014 Let's Eat - Domestic/Canada/Latin America First, BusinessFirst, & Business Class
Nov 11, 2014, 9:43 pm
#1066
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bloomfield, NJ
Programs: UA Gold, Million Miler, Marriott platinum, lifetime platinum
Posts: 974
IAHSAN
DEP 1257P
738
Flight started off with PDBs but FA had no idea about prosecco and when I tried to explain or ask for sparkling wine she brought sparkling water.
I initially got all excited knowing I'd have the new lunch options and was given the choice of either a chicken salad or chedder and beef melt both served with cream of mushroom soup.
http://i58.tinypic.com/2j14ri0.jpg
Well I should have opted for the salad; the sandwich was overcooked (I noticed the FA was turning the ovens on before we even pushed back) and the cheese had turned into something like wet butter. The dryness was further complicated by a crew that spent most of the time chatting and had to be flagged down for refills. Cookies and nuts were pretty much overcooked as well, though I can't say I've ever really enjoyed the nuts on UA in years.
And then I flew DL the other day SANATL.....um where do I begin. Presentation, options were Calzone or Salmon, FA's were incredibly friendly and kept drinks filled. The lunch was actually balanced and had some thought put into it. Even with the "upgrades" to the meal service, UA has a ways to go
http://i57.tinypic.com/331inm1.jpg
DEP 1257P
738
Flight started off with PDBs but FA had no idea about prosecco and when I tried to explain or ask for sparkling wine she brought sparkling water.
I initially got all excited knowing I'd have the new lunch options and was given the choice of either a chicken salad or chedder and beef melt both served with cream of mushroom soup.
http://i58.tinypic.com/2j14ri0.jpg
Well I should have opted for the salad; the sandwich was overcooked (I noticed the FA was turning the ovens on before we even pushed back) and the cheese had turned into something like wet butter. The dryness was further complicated by a crew that spent most of the time chatting and had to be flagged down for refills. Cookies and nuts were pretty much overcooked as well, though I can't say I've ever really enjoyed the nuts on UA in years.
And then I flew DL the other day SANATL.....um where do I begin. Presentation, options were Calzone or Salmon, FA's were incredibly friendly and kept drinks filled. The lunch was actually balanced and had some thought put into it. Even with the "upgrades" to the meal service, UA has a ways to go
http://i57.tinypic.com/331inm1.jpg
Nov 11, 2014, 10:13 pm
#1067
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
Nov 12, 2014, 8:17 am
#1068
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,429
I still am blown away that UA owns its own catering unit, which should yield not only some cost savings but sufficient revenue from providing services to other carrer, yet still manages to produce such a subpar product. I mean the DL meal was hardly gourmet (we're not talking filet and lobster), but it looked like a premium product and tasted balanced. Belly bomb sandwich with heavy soup (no mushrooms anymore it seems) and then a cookie; how does that even pass a review?
Nov 12, 2014, 1:06 pm
#1069
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: UA 1K 1MM / AA PP, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 949
Nov 12, 2014, 2:42 pm
#1070
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dulles
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond, BA Silver
Posts: 70
ERJ-175
Does anyone know if there is enough of a galley to have full meal service in First on an ERJ-175? Since we are seeing so many of them.
Nov 12, 2014, 5:39 pm
#1072
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
"By mid-2015, United will further enhance its in-flight dining by:
Launching completely redesigned menu concepts and expanding premium-cabin meals within North America to flights that are more than two hours and 20 minutes, or 800 miles;
Upgrading premium-cabin meal service on domestic and international United Express flights, replacing snack boxes with freshly prepared food; and
Significantly enhancing United Economy meals and beverages on long-haul international flights."
Probably serving cold meals the way Delta does on similar aircraft.
Nov 12, 2014, 6:55 pm
#1073
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EWR, PHL
Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.
Posts: 4,637
I still am blown away that UA owns its own catering unit, which should yield not only some cost savings but sufficient revenue from providing services to other carrer, yet still manages to produce such a subpar product. I mean the DL meal was hardly gourmet (we're not talking filet and lobster), but it looked like a premium product and tasted balanced. Belly bomb sandwich with heavy soup (no mushrooms anymore it seems) and then a cookie; how does that even pass a review?
Nov 14, 2014, 8:51 am
#1074
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,506
To each his own, but that DL calzone looks a lot to me like the much-ridiculed chicken bouquet on UA. To be sure, the presentation, plus salad and mini-cheese plate, make some difference, but I don't know about "light years" as concerns the main dish. YMMV.
Nov 14, 2014, 9:07 am
#1075
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,930
I think the UA lunch looks tasty, but it is starch with starch and starch - the Delta advantage is no so much the quality as the variety - a salad and a little grapes and cheese is a very nice balance to a doughy sandwich.
Nov 14, 2014, 9:29 am
#1076
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, SPG; IC Pl/A; AA; DL
Posts: 14,324
I thought breakfast was ok on SFO-KOA flight. Didn't care for turkey sausage or whatever it is or potato veggie thingie but there was enough freshfruit, yogurt, omelette was great etc. so you had enough to eat. Flight attendant was particularly attentive whole flight so that was also good for drinks snacks et.
Nov 14, 2014, 11:15 am
#1077
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1k, SPG Plat 100
Posts: 619
What is the sparkling wine situation? Is it on all flights, all mainline, or just certain length mainline? Does it taste better than paint thinner? If so, I'm pretty excited. I've been drinking the same two wines for about two years, so I'm ready for a change.
Nov 14, 2014, 11:16 am
#1078
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,648
They will convert to meal service by mid next year.
"By mid-2015, United will further enhance its in-flight dining by:
Launching completely redesigned menu concepts and expanding premium-cabin meals within North America to flights that are more than two hours and 20 minutes, or 800 miles;
Upgrading premium-cabin meal service on domestic and international United Express flights, replacing snack boxes with freshly prepared food; and
Significantly enhancing United Economy meals and beverages on long-haul international flights."
Probably serving cold meals the way Delta does on similar aircraft.
"By mid-2015, United will further enhance its in-flight dining by:
Launching completely redesigned menu concepts and expanding premium-cabin meals within North America to flights that are more than two hours and 20 minutes, or 800 miles;
Upgrading premium-cabin meal service on domestic and international United Express flights, replacing snack boxes with freshly prepared food; and
Significantly enhancing United Economy meals and beverages on long-haul international flights."
Probably serving cold meals the way Delta does on similar aircraft.
Nov 14, 2014, 11:30 am
#1079
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, UA Platinum, Alaksa MVP 75K, Air Berlin Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,389
Various reports up-thread of some reporting it's been catered on their flights, and others reporting deer in the headlight looks from FAs.
Nov 14, 2014, 2:40 pm
#1080
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 477
We had it on a research LGA-ORD flight but the FAs didn't know it was there until my seat mate asked for a glass of white - they came back and said we have a white (no mention about what kind) and procecco.