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?

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.

Sounds like a refrigeration issue, if only shelf-stable items are being provisioned?

Are the heated Bistro on Board catered differently? They were available.

Q4 cost cutting begins....or is this another "test";)

Are other carriers affected?

Interesting as UAL runs their own kitchen in DEN too.

By United's problems? Yes, but in a good way for them. But bad for the frequent and infrequent flyers of United :(

David

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.

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...

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.

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.

I was thinking the same thing. Great operation there, with some really dedicated folks. It is a sizable facility, and also caters for some of the Intl carriers.

Really curious.

How much money is the voucher for? Curios their value of a F meal.

Flying from DEN-LAS? One banana and a bag of chips.

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.