Flying United on a Holiday . . . .any special Holiday amenities offered onboard?
Nov 22, 2017, 5:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: United, Southwest
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Flying United on a Holiday . . . .any special Holiday amenities offered onboard?
I flew to Hawaii back in 1971 on a United 747 and it was the 4th of July. Not a BIG holiday but all the same, we were all given a plastic 'firecracker' (a flimsy plastic tube with a cap that had a string out the top) full of wrapped peppermint candies. A long time ago memory BUT I do remember it, vividly! I know Southwest has free drinks on certain holidays - does anyone remember any special holiday 'touch' that United did when you were flying on an actual holiday? Thinking mostly Thanksgiving or Christmas . . . but maybe Easter? 4th of July? I remember it was a really nice touch.
Nov 22, 2017, 6:19 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Flew to Hawaii on 4th of July this year. Took the whole family, everyone got upgraded to FC (IAD-HNL) I got plenty of sleep - the rest said "I can't sleep on planes" LOL, well 9pm (3am our time) and fireworks started there were some tired kids, but they persevered and we had an awesome vacation.
Nov 23, 2017, 10:37 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Yes. FAs will, in my experience, sometimes go out of their way to make nice decorations in serving carts, galley areas, and even restrooms, sometimes out of what they have, and sometimes things they actually bring themselves. Far from guaranteed but it really makes me appreciate spirit behind their act of thoughtfulness. And sometimes the general atmosphere is just different on holidays. If you're going to have to spend it in a metal tube, passengers and crew can really go out of their way at times to turn it into a nice friendly, social experience.
Nov 23, 2017, 11:49 am
#6
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
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I was kinda hoping for a Thanksgiving meal today (EWR-NRT) but it’s the standard Polaris menu.
Members who have been here a while will recall @PremEx’s mini Christmas Tree that graced many a galley over the years.
Members who have been here a while will recall @PremEx’s mini Christmas Tree that graced many a galley over the years.
Nov 23, 2017, 11:57 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2013
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I was kinda hoping for a Thanksgiving meal today (EWR-NRT) but it’s the standard Polaris menu.
Members who have been here a while will recall @PremEx’s mini Christmas Tree that graced many a galley over the years.
Members who have been here a while will recall @PremEx’s mini Christmas Tree that graced many a galley over the years.
Has anyone come across a holiday specific meal in F or J either today or in the past? (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas?)
Nov 23, 2017, 12:08 pm
#8
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Join Date: May 2001
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Yes. FAs will, in my experience, sometimes go out of their way to make nice decorations in serving carts, galley areas, and even restrooms, sometimes out of what they have, and sometimes things they actually bring themselves. Far from guaranteed but it really makes me appreciate spirit behind their act of thoughtfulness. And sometimes the general atmosphere is just different on holidays. If you're going to have to spend it in a metal tube, passengers and crew can really go out of their way at times to turn it into a nice friendly, social experience.
Party Pooper.
Nov 23, 2017, 12:58 pm
#10
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not exactly a meal… But back in the day, in the 70s, Airlines would often have matzoh on hand during Passover!
Nov 23, 2017, 3:57 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2017
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Actually flew on a New Year's Eve in J a while back, and the only gift was the FA's great service. Our 12 hr flight had quite the little party that night. FA's had paper hats on, everyone happy. Handed a glass of bubbly alcohol filled liquid product when you first sat down, and it didn't stop coming until long after we had eaten. The captain announced Happy New Year in the appropriate time zone somewhere over the water.
Nov 23, 2017, 5:25 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Actually flew on a New Year's Eve in J a while back, and the only gift was the FA's great service. Our 12 hr flight had quite the little party that night. FA's had paper hats on, everyone happy. Handed a glass of bubbly alcohol filled liquid product when you first sat down, and it didn't stop coming until long after we had eaten. The captain announced Happy New Year in the appropriate time zone somewhere over the water.
Nov 23, 2017, 7:10 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: AoE
Programs: Star Alliance
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Years ago when the original PSA (Pacific Southwest Airlines) flew the west coast corridor, on Christmas Day, the FAs would always sing carols.., Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, et al.., and everyone would join in. Their frivolity made for many enjoyable and memorable flights. No wonder their livery had a smile painted on each aircraft!
Some of the best "Holiday" flights for me where those heading to MSY on DL (just before Mardi Gras). Anyone of you here ever experienced a few of those... and remembered it?
Oh, and flights departing around 9pm, out of DCA on July 4th - onward to the west coast has to be something that you do once in your lifetime.
Some of the best "Holiday" flights for me where those heading to MSY on DL (just before Mardi Gras). Anyone of you here ever experienced a few of those... and remembered it?
Oh, and flights departing around 9pm, out of DCA on July 4th - onward to the west coast has to be something that you do once in your lifetime.
Last edited by JetStreamDrifter; Nov 23, 2017 at 7:28 pm
Nov 24, 2017, 8:31 am
#14
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I usually bring a little gift for the FAs when I fly international - just some local chocolates or something - maybe next month I'll bring a little string of battery powered Xmas lights (along with the chocolate). Though not a national holiday, the year I was to turn 50, I contemplated flying to Australia on the day before my birthday, arriving the day AFTER my birthday, thus never having really turned 50. I could do that every year and remain "forever young"!
Nov 28, 2017, 5:15 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,394
Not on united, but we flew back from LHR on BA in business class on thanksgiving a few years ago. They offered turkey as one of the meal choices. Definitely not the best thanksgiving dinner but I thought it was a nice touch. It was not on the printed menu so definitely catered specially for thanksgiving. Unfortunate part was when one of the passengers asked the FA if Britons celebrate Thanksgiving too...