It's not 100 % --- but my experience is two-fold -- rare/medium rare when requested normal ordering is about 80%. On any of the above airlines, simply tell the FA and it's too well done and they will make a new one --- I know that's not possible on UA.

"Let the buyer beware!"

I've had fantastic medium to medium-rare filet on AF in business. Nice medium beef on NH in F, etc.

I don't order beef from U.S. carriers. They always kill it. Maybe it's this notion that it can't be done better (as we've seen posted above). It can be, but it isn't, at least in my experience.

As to the topic of this thread, UA Global First is a joke. I had the (dis)pleasure of flying UA GF from ICN to SFO after SHARES dropped my CA F segment, and was served this as the main meal:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps3c7a49db.jpg

I've had that "braised chicken" that they serve ex-ICN. It's inedible.

For comparison:

JL F ORD-NRT:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7534/...9644fc93_z.jpgIMG_2428 by ryan.tanner, on Flickr

CX F HKG-LAX:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/...6092d154_z.jpgIMG_2944 by ryan.tanner, on Flickr

Ha! That is one of the worse ones, I have to say. What kills me about that is that every time I see it, I think it looks exactly like one of the Economy meals I was once served on ANA. The consistency of the sauce and the glistening veggies are what do it, even though it's a completely different dish!

The biggest difference is that both the meal, and the sides on NH were actually pretty good! I can never quite get over my surprise at being served a better meal in XX Y, than in UA GF. *shrug* But it's not actually all that uncommon.

Sorry for the bad image quality - never thought this photo would end up online!!

http://i.imgur.com/2cdBHZJ.jpg

sad but true

In summary:

• OP's carry-on bag did not fit in the smaller luggage bin of 747.
  
• OP did not receive slippers
  
• OP did not get a glass of vintage champagne
  
• OP witness some exchanges related to food for other passengers, although OP did not complain about the food/hot appetizer/soup.

As of result:

It's truly egregious.

OMG. Are those Clams?

Made me sick just to look at it.

It's tasteless boiled chicken 'n' slime. It's the "Korean option" on ICN flights. Same sludge is served in C.

I was tempted to post my pics of my TG F meal from NRT-BKK but that would just be piling on.... It was the first time I was ever given and entire bread basket - and it was FULL of amazing bread...

Well, if you paid several thousand $ more with a certain expectation, you might be disappointed too.

The fact that UA prices Global First out at approximately the same level as SQ does for a TPAC in Suites is somewhat comical. Then again, so few people actually pay the F fare that they probably don't budget for much revenue from the product and don't expect to sell much of it.

Lobster Pad Thai from that very route

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps13c292eb.jpg

And today you have "dark birds" that don't even have pneumatic tubes or pulldown screens. My how UAL has progressed in 30 years!

Yes they were. I remember the early 90s barcalounger F seats on United. They were just fine. Who wants to lie flat when you have them bringing around the Beluga Caviar and Dom Perignon nonstop? Oh, and treating you like a human being.

When you have those, the other stuff isn't so important. ;) I don't know how they did it, but they did prepare my steaks as desired. A few times I had them cook it some more, since I like medium well. No problem. Same on Lufthansa more recently.