The First Class Refreshments Basket but no "meal" for 2 hour flight?
May 6, 2017, 7:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Tacoma, WA
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Alaska Mileage Plan, Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 82
The First Class Refreshments Basket but no "meal" for 2 hour flight?
Is it just me that loathes the refreshment basket that UA serves in domestic first class? Serve a meal! I regularly fly the SEA/SFO route. Its typically between an hour forty five minutes and 2 hours in the air. Why don't they serve a light meal? Its also common enough that I end up on 2 legs of flights just under the 2 hour mark and end up with 2 grabs at the basket with 5 or so hours of travel.
I always grab something fast without knowing what I am grabbing because I can feel the glare form the folks behind me waiting for their chance at a grab.
I always grab something fast without knowing what I am grabbing because I can feel the glare form the folks behind me waiting for their chance at a grab.
May 6, 2017, 8:09 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 255
The basket is pretty pathetic with no snacks I really like. I would prefer the Stroopwaffel or snack mix found in the economy cabin on longer flights. To me, it seems that everyone wants the basket but mainly just to look because there is nothing they want!
May 6, 2017, 8:15 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bloomfield, NJ
Programs: UA Gold, Million Miler, Marriott platinum, lifetime platinum
Posts: 974
Continental used to serve a delightful chilled deli plate. Simple, but respectful for shorter flights, and flights between mealtimes.
The snack basked is just plane awful!!!
The snack basked is just plane awful!!!
May 6, 2017, 8:40 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
But seriously, it is as if United's management makes no effort to see what OALs are doing, nor to realize there is some world outside of their narrow confines. Exceptions are just not part of the UA DNA, and its a real problem.And as to the UA snack basket, it is a sad joke, at least compared to what Delta and VX are serving in theirs.
May 6, 2017, 9:03 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: EWR
Programs: UA Gold, IHG Spire, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 11
I concur. Flew LAX-SEA last week and was surprised there was only the basket. However, I give UA a little credit for offering fresh fruit (banana, apple) in said basket.
May 6, 2017, 9:21 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,419
May 6, 2017, 9:56 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: PHL, EWR
Programs: UA Gold; AA; Amtrak Select Plus;HH Diamond;Hyatt Disc;Hertz PC; Total Wine Grand Reserve!
Posts: 2,402
I've commented several times on the post-flight UA survey that they should serve a simple deli plate on such flights - a few slices of deli meat, cheese, crackers and some fruit or a cookie.
May 6, 2017, 10:53 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,890
I do note the stuff is different almost every time though, which can be both good and bad. There are a few things I like from it - the popcorn isn't bad and I forget the brand of kettle chips they have often. I forget the brand, but had some key lime cookies on PHX-DEN last week that were pretty good. I will say I wouldn't be upset if they started putting the Garretts popcorn they sell in the back there, nor would I object to them bringing back Toblerone, which I can't remember the last time I saw it - years ago for sure.
May 6, 2017, 10:55 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
I had a stroopwaffel from the snack basket on a flight a little while ago. And I'm sure if you ask for it, the FA would get one on request.
I do note the stuff is different almost every time though, which can be both good and bad. There are a few things I like from it - the popcorn isn't bad and I forget the brand of kettle chips they have often. I forget the brand, but had some key lime cookies on PHX-DEN last week that were pretty good. I will say I wouldn't be upset if they started putting the Garretts popcorn they sell in the back there, nor would I object to them bringing back Toblerone, which I can't remember the last time I saw it - years ago for sure.
I do note the stuff is different almost every time though, which can be both good and bad. There are a few things I like from it - the popcorn isn't bad and I forget the brand of kettle chips they have often. I forget the brand, but had some key lime cookies on PHX-DEN last week that were pretty good. I will say I wouldn't be upset if they started putting the Garretts popcorn they sell in the back there, nor would I object to them bringing back Toblerone, which I can't remember the last time I saw it - years ago for sure.
David
May 6, 2017, 11:25 pm
#13
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
You can, unless you get a crabby and nasty FA in F (sub CO) who says that these are YOUR snacks and the ones in the back are for Y pax, and if you want any of them you will have to pay.
May 7, 2017, 5:28 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
I encountered this situation this week 
a 1:30pm domestic departure and the flight was blocked for 3 hours (exactly on the edge of the meal windows) so I was treated to snack basket purgatory:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...st/dining.aspx
SL
a 1:30pm domestic departure and the flight was blocked for 3 hours (exactly on the edge of the meal windows) so I was treated to snack basket purgatory:https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...st/dining.aspx
SL