Update on Upgraded International Long-haul United Economy Dining [Eff 1-June 2015]
Apr 15, 2015, 1:51 pm
#61
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,239
Yes, the meal choices are more but out of the 3 options listed, I would pick neither:
2 of the 3 appear to be vegetarian: ravioli and noodles. The 3rd - turkey meatloaf - I can maybe go for but I don't like sweet potatoes, so don't see that as an improvement over what they offer currently.
I last flew transatlantic 2 months ago and the meat option was chicken and I was extremely pleased - the chicken portion was pretty big and the meal overall was tasty. The other 2 options were vegetarian I believe, so no real change there after June 1st.
When they announced going from 2 to 3 meal choices internationally, I thought it would be the other way around 2-to-1 in favor of the meat options. I doubt that there are that many vegetarians on board that they require 2 meal options. Having a combination of beef, chicken and/or turkey and a vegetarian option should be sufficient.
I don't drink alcohol, so the return of complimentary beer and wine has 0 effect on me. In fact, I view the meal options as a downgrade, so don't see this announcement as a positive.
2 of the 3 appear to be vegetarian: ravioli and noodles. The 3rd - turkey meatloaf - I can maybe go for but I don't like sweet potatoes, so don't see that as an improvement over what they offer currently.
I last flew transatlantic 2 months ago and the meat option was chicken and I was extremely pleased - the chicken portion was pretty big and the meal overall was tasty. The other 2 options were vegetarian I believe, so no real change there after June 1st.
When they announced going from 2 to 3 meal choices internationally, I thought it would be the other way around 2-to-1 in favor of the meat options. I doubt that there are that many vegetarians on board that they require 2 meal options. Having a combination of beef, chicken and/or turkey and a vegetarian option should be sufficient.
I don't drink alcohol, so the return of complimentary beer and wine has 0 effect on me. In fact, I view the meal options as a downgrade, so don't see this announcement as a positive.
Apr 15, 2015, 1:55 pm
#62
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Apr 15, 2015, 2:08 pm
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,642
EWR-SNN, EWR-DUB, and even IAD-DUB are often about the same time in the air as BOS-SFO/LAX.
And don't even get me started about short TATLs on those fuel stops at BGR
LOL
Apr 15, 2015, 2:17 pm
#64
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
I wonder what kinds of special vintage wine and craft beer will be offered in Y under this new largesse?
Apr 15, 2015, 2:21 pm
#66
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K, 1.1MM
Posts: 300
Finally a #FlyerFriendly change! Something to actually look forward to
Apr 15, 2015, 2:27 pm
#67
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: IAH
Programs: IHG Gold Ambassador
Posts: 321
This is a HUGE improvement. I don't care what the circumstances were that necessitated this change, although I think TODs probably helped fund it. I'm happy to see it although I'm curious as to benefit will have to be stripped back because of this.
Apr 15, 2015, 2:50 pm
#68
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: EWR, BDL
Posts: 4,471
Only on TATL/TPAC flights with block times 10h + is the mid-flight snack going away. In it's a place BOB snack boxes will be offered. Main meal & pre-arrival meal services will still continue to be complimentary.
Apr 15, 2015, 3:35 pm
#69
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
United is devaluing drink coupons!!!!!!! 
Apr 15, 2015, 3:40 pm
#70
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: UAL 1KMM,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 758
I applaud the improvement. I usually don't fly Y when I go trans-atlantic. I did last month and can honestly say the meal was worse that what they serve in nursing homes.
The change on mid-flight snacks is okay. I carry my own snacks on flights anyway. On a TATL flight,I prefer to sleep as much as I can. I can get a small can of Pringles from Target or elsewhere for less than $1 and often stores like Walgreen's will have the small cans on special 2/$1. The big theater size boxes of candy are usually $1 at many stores.
This is not cost-neutral. Remember United continues to devalue the benefits for frequent flyers - harder to earn miles, more to fly.
The change on mid-flight snacks is okay. I carry my own snacks on flights anyway. On a TATL flight,I prefer to sleep as much as I can. I can get a small can of Pringles from Target or elsewhere for less than $1 and often stores like Walgreen's will have the small cans on special 2/$1. The big theater size boxes of candy are usually $1 at many stores.
This is not cost-neutral. Remember United continues to devalue the benefits for frequent flyers - harder to earn miles, more to fly.
Apr 15, 2015, 4:09 pm
#71
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 794
Yes, the meal choices are more but out of the 3 options listed, I would pick neither:
2 of the 3 appear to be vegetarian: ravioli and noodles. The 3rd - turkey meatloaf - I can maybe go for but I don't like sweet potatoes, so don't see that as an improvement over what they offer currently.
I last flew transatlantic 2 months ago and the meat option was chicken and I was extremely pleased - the chicken portion was pretty big and the meal overall was tasty. The other 2 options were vegetarian I believe, so no real change there after June 1st.
When they announced going from 2 to 3 meal choices internationally, I thought it would be the other way around 2-to-1 in favor of the meat options. I doubt that there are that many vegetarians on board that they require 2 meal options. Having a combination of beef, chicken and/or turkey and a vegetarian option should be sufficient.
I don't drink alcohol, so the return of complimentary beer and wine has 0 effect on me. In fact, I view the meal options as a downgrade, so don't see this announcement as a positive.
2 of the 3 appear to be vegetarian: ravioli and noodles. The 3rd - turkey meatloaf - I can maybe go for but I don't like sweet potatoes, so don't see that as an improvement over what they offer currently.
I last flew transatlantic 2 months ago and the meat option was chicken and I was extremely pleased - the chicken portion was pretty big and the meal overall was tasty. The other 2 options were vegetarian I believe, so no real change there after June 1st.
When they announced going from 2 to 3 meal choices internationally, I thought it would be the other way around 2-to-1 in favor of the meat options. I doubt that there are that many vegetarians on board that they require 2 meal options. Having a combination of beef, chicken and/or turkey and a vegetarian option should be sufficient.
I don't drink alcohol, so the return of complimentary beer and wine has 0 effect on me. In fact, I view the meal options as a downgrade, so don't see this announcement as a positive.
Wonder what this means for special ordering meals now. I'd be afraid it would end up like every pizza situation ever where meat eaters eat all the cheese pizza.
Apr 15, 2015, 4:15 pm
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
Mrs LHRSFO and I were agreeing yesterday that the only good thing about the catering was the mid-flight ice cream. And why on earth are they going to serve cheese before a meal?
Having said that, this is very much a positive move. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.
Having said that, this is very much a positive move. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.
Apr 15, 2015, 4:17 pm
#73
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K 2MM / Marriott LTP
Posts: 5,071
You really don't see this at least on the TPAC flights with block times of 10h+ on SQ, NH, OZ, JL.
I am really curious to see how this is going to work on the 744/777 especially since the mid-flight snack happens when staffing isn't at full strength due to crew breaks. I hear so many stories of passengers in Y asking for the mid-flight noodles that went away in Y a while ago and when they find out they will have to pay for a mid-flight snack I'm not too sure what the reaction will be.
My guess is that many people will decline the mid-flight snack, but if the number of people wanting a mid-flight snack is high, then it might take quite a while for the transactions to be processed. I wonder what is the Plan B should the handheld devices malfunction.
I guess we shall find out June 1.
Apr 15, 2015, 4:24 pm
#74
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SIN
Programs: UA 1K MM, SQ PPS, CX Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Gold, SPG Silver
Posts: 679
Yes, the meal choices are more but out of the 3 options listed, I would pick neither:
2 of the 3 appear to be vegetarian: ravioli and noodles. The 3rd - turkey meatloaf - I can maybe go for but I don't like sweet potatoes, so don't see that as an improvement over what they offer currently.
2 of the 3 appear to be vegetarian: ravioli and noodles. The 3rd - turkey meatloaf - I can maybe go for but I don't like sweet potatoes, so don't see that as an improvement over what they offer currently.
Better, hopefully I can keep myself in the front side of the plane and not have to sample these.
Apr 15, 2015, 5:02 pm
#75
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: EWR, BDL
Posts: 4,471
So UA which was the last holdout on complimentary beer/wine will join all the other airlines, barring very few on the TATL flights. Good.
What will happen to the free mid flight snack which they are giving on EWR-BOM/DEL, ORD-China, EWR-HKG flights and IAH-LOS flights. The mid flight snack actually is given right after the main meal service and then the next service is the pre arrival meal on these ULH flights. Do we have to purchase them or will that still be complimentary.
And one more thing still no complimentary meal or beer/wine on the service to Peru, these flights are long (7 hrs +).
What will happen to the free mid flight snack which they are giving on EWR-BOM/DEL, ORD-China, EWR-HKG flights and IAH-LOS flights. The mid flight snack actually is given right after the main meal service and then the next service is the pre arrival meal on these ULH flights. Do we have to purchase them or will that still be complimentary.
And one more thing still no complimentary meal or beer/wine on the service to Peru, these flights are long (7 hrs +).