DEN first class catering issues
Oct 27, 2017, 8:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Pikes Peak COS
Programs: 3 Month Delta Plat, UA PP 2.4mm, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HH Lifetime Diamond, National EE
Posts: 426
DEN first class catering issues
Flying today BWI-DEN. Incoming is from DEN. Pilot gets off and tells FA's that there is no first class food on board, DEN was having issues. When asked what the issue was the pilot leaned over and whispered to the FA's. BWI catering couldn't handle food request so they grabbed all the hot Bistro on Boards and offered them to First. They also offered first breakfast cereal or snack boxes.
I'm flying again tomorrow and I just got a text from UA about "limited food options from our Denver catering facility". They are offering snack boxes or a voucher to buy before you get on board. I'm already upgraded if it matters.
Anyone know whats going on?
I'm flying again tomorrow and I just got a text from UA about "limited food options from our Denver catering facility". They are offering snack boxes or a voucher to buy before you get on board. I'm already upgraded if it matters.
Anyone know whats going on?
Oct 27, 2017, 8:53 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA-1K-MM AA-EXP-MM
Posts: 726
Same message for me
I am on UA254 DEN-ORD at 555pm Saturday 10/28 and just got this e-mail:
Important update on your upcoming flight
Important meal update for your upcoming flight from Denver
Due to limited food options in our Denver catering facility, hot food may not be available on your flight. However, snack boxes will be provided. Our Denver staff will be happy to provide you with a voucher if you’d like to purchase your own food prior to boarding.
We’re sorry for the inconvenience and hope you have a pleasant flight.
This certainly seems like a strange situation.
Important update on your upcoming flight
Important meal update for your upcoming flight from Denver
Due to limited food options in our Denver catering facility, hot food may not be available on your flight. However, snack boxes will be provided. Our Denver staff will be happy to provide you with a voucher if you’d like to purchase your own food prior to boarding.
We’re sorry for the inconvenience and hope you have a pleasant flight.
This certainly seems like a strange situation.
Oct 27, 2017, 9:05 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,450
Sounds like a refrigeration issue, if only shelf-stable items are being provisioned?
Oct 27, 2017, 9:17 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Pikes Peak COS
Programs: 3 Month Delta Plat, UA PP 2.4mm, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HH Lifetime Diamond, National EE
Posts: 426
Are the heated Bistro on Board catered differently? They were available.
Oct 27, 2017, 9:47 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Tx
Programs: AA, UA, WN
Posts: 812
Q4 cost cutting begins....or is this another "test"
Are other carriers affected?
Are other carriers affected?
Oct 27, 2017, 10:28 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 217
Interesting as UAL runs their own kitchen in DEN too.
Oct 27, 2017, 10:29 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
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Posts: 20,061
Oct 27, 2017, 10:39 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
So UA can not find food in the Mile High City? Is this a communication failure or perhaps a Union problem with the fine folks from Chelsea Food Services? (From CO). Houston we have a problem! Perhaps the fine folks that "blew into the Windy City" can solve this? The food is mass produced and delivered to each aircraft. If I purchase a FC ticket, I want what is advertised - FOOD, not a voucher to buy fast food garbage. Oscar Munoz, I respect you, but get it together. Thank you Sir.
Oct 27, 2017, 11:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Hiding under the trees in Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 2.5MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,306
How strange -- catering is almost never a problem at DEN. No weather- or distribution-related supply chain issues should be occurring right now.
Granted, the Zen Washoku catering in J on UA 139 DEN-NRT is almost always execrable, but that's an issue with the menu planners rather than ingredient availability...The many excellent sushi restaurants & Asian groceries in Denver demonstrate that we can get good Japanese ingredients here...
Granted, the Zen Washoku catering in J on UA 139 DEN-NRT is almost always execrable, but that's an issue with the menu planners rather than ingredient availability...The many excellent sushi restaurants & Asian groceries in Denver demonstrate that we can get good Japanese ingredients here...
Oct 28, 2017, 1:36 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,753
Having attended the Mini-Do at DEN Chelsea a few weeks ago, something serious must have happened to cause this disruption and I'm sure they are working to resolve. The team there was top notch and provided excellent information. They have multiple refrigeration units so I would have to believe a supplier issue may be in play. But truly, I have no inside info, just wish to acknowledge that the team there is good and I have no doubt doing what needs to be done to fix as soon as possible.
Oct 28, 2017, 3:55 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Rowley, MA / Edgartown, MA / Christiansted, St. Croix (USVI)
Programs: UA LT GS/4.96MM, Marriott LT Titanium, IHG Platinum, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, Korea SeS, APEC
Posts: 579
I just got the same email, my wife and oldest daughter are in Denver visiting our middle daughter for the weekend, they’re both flying on award tickets and upgraded to First. They are returning on Sunday evening, any idea if things will be resolved by then? Seems like an odd problem.
Oct 28, 2017, 4:41 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
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Posts: 10,159
Having attended the Mini-Do at DEN Chelsea a few weeks ago, something serious must have happened to cause this disruption and I'm sure they are working to resolve. The team there was top notch and provided excellent information. They have multiple refrigeration units so I would have to believe a supplier issue may be in play. But truly, I have no inside info, just wish to acknowledge that the team there is good and I have no doubt doing what needs to be done to fix as soon as possible.
Really curious.
Oct 28, 2017, 5:21 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 40
How much money is the voucher for? Curios their value of a F meal.
Oct 28, 2017, 9:01 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Pikes Peak COS
Programs: 3 Month Delta Plat, UA PP 2.4mm, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HH Lifetime Diamond, National EE
Posts: 426
Oct 28, 2017, 9:18 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,158
Got the email too and was in 2A yesterday when the FA came around and announced the catering issue. He was profusely apologetic (almost too much so) and offered the snack basket and BOB items instead. I don't care that much about food so I just grabbed a bag of chips. This was on a E175 so I'm pretty used to not having a meal anyway.
Later he came around again and offered everyone in F compensation. I declined but it seemed a bit over the top for a 3 hour flight. I've never seen that much fawning and apologies when my flight is delayed - which happens far more frequently.
Later he came around again and offered everyone in F compensation. I declined but it seemed a bit over the top for a 3 hour flight. I've never seen that much fawning and apologies when my flight is delayed - which happens far more frequently.
Last edited by mrswirl; Oct 28, 2017 at 9:27 am