2018 Let's Eat - Polaris Business
#706
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I flew both BR and SQ on the same itinerary as my recent LAX-SIN, and UA's food long-haul is consistently better than BR (IMO). SQ, with "Book the Cook" still wins over UA, but it's not a massive difference in the quality of the meal itself (wines are obviously a different story, but I don't drink).
#708
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It was a one off.
I flew both BR and SQ on the same itinerary as my recent LAX-SIN, and UA's food long-haul is consistently better than BR (IMO). SQ, with "Book the Cook" still wins over UA, but it's not a massive difference in the quality of the meal itself (wines are obviously a different story, but I don't drink).
I flew both BR and SQ on the same itinerary as my recent LAX-SIN, and UA's food long-haul is consistently better than BR (IMO). SQ, with "Book the Cook" still wins over UA, but it's not a massive difference in the quality of the meal itself (wines are obviously a different story, but I don't drink).
Is this a recent degradation, or have you always preferred UA? Did you pre-order selections?
I am scheduled on BR again in December...
#709
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And the ice blue Rimowa ex-TPE is sweet
#710
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It was a one off.
I flew both BR and SQ on the same itinerary as my recent LAX-SIN, and UA's food long-haul is consistently better than BR (IMO). SQ, with "Book the Cook" still wins over UA, but it's not a massive difference in the quality of the meal itself (wines are obviously a different story, but I don't drink).
I flew both BR and SQ on the same itinerary as my recent LAX-SIN, and UA's food long-haul is consistently better than BR (IMO). SQ, with "Book the Cook" still wins over UA, but it's not a massive difference in the quality of the meal itself (wines are obviously a different story, but I don't drink).
On BR, I only fly them between Asia and Europe and Intra-Asia, I enjoy their meals better than UA, but that could be just personal taste and choice.
#711
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite, National Executive, United Gold
Posts: 1,181
I think Taiwanese cuisine outside of Din Tai Fung can be very polarizing (i.e. stinky tofu) - I know BR serves a variety of western options but surely they have been altered to appeal to local tastes. I definitely prefer BR over UA catering in both J and Y.
My BR experience is all this year. Four flights total. I just have not been impressed with the food on any of them. I love the hard product and the service. If I drank, I would probably rate the meals higher, as they do serve some very nice wines.
And the ice blue Rimowa ex-TPE is sweet
And the ice blue Rimowa ex-TPE is sweet
#712
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It probably also influences my analysis that my last three UA long-haul flights have all had really good catering and crews.
#713
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,098
8/29 UA863 SFO-HKG
I ordered express dining.
Had short rib with wasabi grits and bok choy, beef was tough to cut off but tender once separated. Had good flavour and wasn't dry. Grits were good, bok choy was good.
Hot bites was chicken rice, probably the best meal on the airplane,
Chose provincial omelette for pre arrival, same as domestic F, still not as good as BoB skillet was in economy on domestic flights.
I ordered express dining.
Had short rib with wasabi grits and bok choy, beef was tough to cut off but tender once separated. Had good flavour and wasn't dry. Grits were good, bok choy was good.
Hot bites was chicken rice, probably the best meal on the airplane,
Chose provincial omelette for pre arrival, same as domestic F, still not as good as BoB skillet was in economy on domestic flights.
Last edited by thejaredhuang; Sep 11, 2018 at 12:13 pm
#714
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
I really like the wasabi grits!
#715
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bloomfield, NJ
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Posts: 974
For the first meal, did they really service all 3 courses together? That is HORRIBLE in my opinion.
#716
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: San Antonio, TX
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#717
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: West
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 221
The FA came around taking orders, but rather than asking for my first choice and second, made it a point to say “we have GS and 1Ks on this flight so they will get to have the limited selections first, since you are only Platinum.” Yes, I realize that is a benefit for them, but it could have been delivered a bit more tactfully, instead of implying that my paid J seat was somehow less important than someone else just because they had status. In fact even when I’ve flown in the past as a nonrev, it’s been communicated with a bit more class.
Non-Rev J > Paid J Pax
#718
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,429
That being said as a nonrev, I think I’ve only not received the meal that I initially ordered on a total of 4 flights out of 100+.
#719
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#720
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
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Posts: 1,028
This keeps happening, and quite honestly is the biggest issue I have since the recent catering change with the return of half carts to the aisle and cart service for the salad/appetizer setup. On some flights, the food is basically thrown at you without any consideration of tempo and timing, courses piling up together, followed by complete disappearance of the FAs following the dessert cart. My recent ZRH-SFO, an EWR based crew, was absolutely terrible In this regard, including fighting among flight attendants. A great crew has pacing and timing figured out; a lazy or fighting crew does not.
The catering changes (and gel pillow at every seat), as we here all know, were rolled out to deal with complaints from the AFA union regarding the workload in Polaris with crew staffing reductions. To be honest, the complaints are fair. They are dressed up as “sleep enhancements” for passengers, but it’s actually a big slice into the feel of the Polaris soft product onboard.