United Domestic First Meal Service Reduction
May 11, 2018, 7:37 pm
#76
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
There is something more disappointing- being served a dry plain burger on a premium transcon flight.
This is what Delta gave me for lunch on an SFO-JFK 2:30pm departure. Just last month would have been an international grade starter, salad. Then separate main course.
Never thought the downgraded AA meals since 2015 would turn out to be the best in the sky. Because UA and DL have cut so much in the last year, not because AA got better.
https://m.imgur.com/a/9Z4GyFU
This is what Delta gave me for lunch on an SFO-JFK 2:30pm departure. Just last month would have been an international grade starter, salad. Then separate main course.
Never thought the downgraded AA meals since 2015 would turn out to be the best in the sky. Because UA and DL have cut so much in the last year, not because AA got better.
https://m.imgur.com/a/9Z4GyFU
I wish there were better options out of SFO, but I'm often stuck on UA and they know it.
This was the meal I was served the other day ATL->SFO -- a sad looking burger with nothing on it. I feel the $8 economy buy-on-board would have been much better (which makes me feel like a fool for buying in the First cabin to begin with).
This was the meal I was served the other day ATL->SFO -- a sad looking burger with nothing on it. I feel the $8 economy buy-on-board would have been much better (which makes me feel like a fool for buying in the First cabin to begin with).
May 12, 2018, 12:31 am
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,406
I wish there were better options out of SFO, but I'm often stuck on UA and they know it.
This was the meal I was served the other day ATL->SFO -- a sad looking burger with nothing on it. I feel the $8 economy buy-on-board would have been much better (which makes me feel like a fool for buying in the First cabin to begin with).
This was the meal I was served the other day ATL->SFO -- a sad looking burger with nothing on it. I feel the $8 economy buy-on-board would have been much better (which makes me feel like a fool for buying in the First cabin to begin with).
May 12, 2018, 6:23 am
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
May 12, 2018, 6:49 am
#79
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
I sent in a complaint about the F meal changes today. I didn't ask for a response as I doubt I'd receive anything of substance anyway. I do think that the only things UA cares about are post-flight surveys and loss in revenue. I've never gotten satisfactory reply from a complaint sent, but I have received unsolicited compensation from a poor survey. I've got three booked trips with UA this year (two are paid international F) and won't be booking anymore absent a compelling reason to. I've already booked three new trips, 2 on DL and 1 on AA. While this cut in meals isn't the sole driving factor, it certainly helped push me there.
Like you, for my next round of 4 ORD r/ts over the next two weeks (paid F), I booked with AA. Of course meal service wasn't the only factor, but it is a factor. AA's meal preselection option helps too in a sort of "the devil you know..." way.
May 12, 2018, 9:05 am
#80
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Morris County, NJ
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Avis Pres, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,305
Chapter 3.
“Fly to Win, or You Can Make A Pizza So Cheap Nobody Wants To Eat It.”
It’s as if UA is trying its best to do the opposite of everything in From Worst to First!
“Fly to Win, or You Can Make A Pizza So Cheap Nobody Wants To Eat It.”
It’s as if UA is trying its best to do the opposite of everything in From Worst to First!
May 12, 2018, 12:53 pm
#81
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: ORD
Programs: 1K
Posts: 121
Just had memo circulated in my agency - United domestic F is blocked for bookings unless it is the lowest fare, or the customer requests it specifically. We are now sending out disclosure notices with UA tickets informing customers of significant service degradations and onboard meal service of any kind in first class is not guaranteed. Domestic business is being steered to Delta, American or Alaska.
May 12, 2018, 1:15 pm
#82
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,193
The descriptions in here of UA's business strategy gives me flashbacks to the executive strategy meeting scene in "The Secret of My Success".
I paid to fly F DEN-HNL this past Christmas and really regretted it. I have never before flown in the front and felt like going to grab some food when I landed. Just pathetic.
I paid to fly F DEN-HNL this past Christmas and really regretted it. I have never before flown in the front and felt like going to grab some food when I landed. Just pathetic.
May 12, 2018, 1:16 pm
#83
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,753
May 12, 2018, 4:33 pm
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,016
I just flew DEN-OGG last week after catering was fixed (except for fruit). The “full meal service” in F is definitely less that it was. Portions were smaller on main meal after takeoff. Mid-flight was a down-sized snack basket. A cookie was provided before landing. 7.5 hours. I was fine because I had breakfast at UC, but I can see where some would be starving by HNL or OGG.
May 12, 2018, 5:04 pm
#85
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA Concierge Key, AA Lifetime Plat, SPG Ambassador, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, United Plat
Posts: 233
Does ORD-CUN (3:50) follow these new rules despite being "international?" Flying tomorrow and res says "lunch" but wondering if we should plan to grab a bite in the terminal.
May 12, 2018, 5:35 pm
#86
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Madrid
Programs: IB+ Emerald (Platino), M&M Senator (Gold), Meliá Rewards Platino, NH Platinum
Posts: 436
Flew IAH-MEX yesterday. It was a dinner flight, but I asked the FA if the lunch and breakfast flights on <4h international routes were also "enhanced" and apparently not.
May 12, 2018, 5:57 pm
#87
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,965
Domestic meals in F are definitely getting worse - both "simpler" and less.
Was on a 2 hour (actually flying time) early morning mainline departure out of YYC the other day and the breakfast was a few slices of fruits and a muffin. Not even yogurt.
The regional lunch flight into YYC had some syrup soaked pineapple as the salad and a piece of chocolate as the dessert.
Even on morning flights with egg dishes, they are terrible.
I guess we can't say we are surprised and will probably get worse as fuel prices rise...
Was on a 2 hour (actually flying time) early morning mainline departure out of YYC the other day and the breakfast was a few slices of fruits and a muffin. Not even yogurt.
The regional lunch flight into YYC had some syrup soaked pineapple as the salad and a piece of chocolate as the dessert.
Even on morning flights with egg dishes, they are terrible.
I guess we can't say we are surprised and will probably get worse as fuel prices rise...
May 12, 2018, 11:34 pm
#88
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
Domestic meals in F are definitely getting worse - both "simpler" and less.
Was on a 2 hour (actually flying time) early morning mainline departure out of YYC the other day and the breakfast was a few slices of fruits and a muffin. Not even yogurt.
The regional lunch flight into YYC had some syrup soaked pineapple as the salad and a piece of chocolate as the dessert.
Even on morning flights with egg dishes, they are terrible.
I guess we can't say we are surprised and will probably get worse as fuel prices rise...
Was on a 2 hour (actually flying time) early morning mainline departure out of YYC the other day and the breakfast was a few slices of fruits and a muffin. Not even yogurt.
The regional lunch flight into YYC had some syrup soaked pineapple as the salad and a piece of chocolate as the dessert.
Even on morning flights with egg dishes, they are terrible.
I guess we can't say we are surprised and will probably get worse as fuel prices rise...
May 12, 2018, 11:37 pm
#89
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
