[Rumor] FA says "No catering on short flights" beginning April 1, 2018
Mar 14, 2018, 2:30 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,454
If we're talking about E45s, there's a square-ish "box" that goes above the galley shelf that contains the snacks (from what I've seen), and water would certainly not fit in there. Drinks would require at least a cart (unless they are going to provision these at a bare minimum, which would result in still them going back to the gate if they ran out during their tarmac delay service).
I can fully see them removing the bar cart from single-cabin flights of less than 1 hr block time, but I don't see them removing drinks altogether. I doubt very much that they would try and shove enough water for a whole plane in the small box above the galley.
Another point that may be useful getting input from a pilot is how the catering affects weight/balance calculations - would small planes such as the E35/45 series be affected by the lack of carts in the galley? If they're going to have to put the empty carts in for balance purposes anyway... wouldn't it make more sense to just put catered carts in so there's no chance of a mixup (i.e. a 20 minute flight getting catered carts while a 2 hour flight gets empty ones)?
I can fully see them removing the bar cart from single-cabin flights of less than 1 hr block time, but I don't see them removing drinks altogether. I doubt very much that they would try and shove enough water for a whole plane in the small box above the galley.
Another point that may be useful getting input from a pilot is how the catering affects weight/balance calculations - would small planes such as the E35/45 series be affected by the lack of carts in the galley? If they're going to have to put the empty carts in for balance purposes anyway... wouldn't it make more sense to just put catered carts in so there's no chance of a mixup (i.e. a 20 minute flight getting catered carts while a 2 hour flight gets empty ones)?
Since the RJs traverse a variety of short and longer routes, they'll likely be provisioned the same way, but the official service spec will end beverage service on flights below a certain duration/stage length.
Mar 14, 2018, 5:10 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
OAK-LAX yesterday on a DL (Compass Air) 175 . . . my upgrade cleared 5 days out, there was a pillow and blanket waiting at every seat, a full snack basket was passed around, and drinks were offered multiple times. And didn't have to deal with weather at SFO.
Which would you choose?
Which would you choose?
Mar 14, 2018, 5:48 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: SBA
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 941
I fly LAX-SBA often and there's not catering service, so not a issue there. It's usually 18-20 min wheels up to wheels down.
I think if they stopped catering for LAX - Vegas you'll have some uproar and lost adult beverage revenue!
I think if they stopped catering for LAX - Vegas you'll have some uproar and lost adult beverage revenue!
Mar 14, 2018, 6:02 pm
#34
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 253
The service is inconsistent from flight-to-flight as well. I received no service on EWR - ITH but I received water on ITH - EWR. Both trips were this past week.
The flight used to have a beverage service but that was when it was on Q200s. Now that it is on E145s, the flight is much shorter so I guess it is more difficult for the flight attendant to offer any refreshments. Overall, the hard product upgrade with the E145 outweighs any service reduction vs the Q200.
The flight used to have a beverage service but that was when it was on Q200s. Now that it is on E145s, the flight is much shorter so I guess it is more difficult for the flight attendant to offer any refreshments. Overall, the hard product upgrade with the E145 outweighs any service reduction vs the Q200.
Mar 14, 2018, 7:13 pm
#35
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA Premier Silver
Posts: 311
There will always be carts loaded in the cart positions, but they don't necessarily have to be full, or changed at each station.
Since the RJs traverse a variety of short and longer routes, they'll likely be provisioned the same way, but the official service spec will end beverage service on flights below a certain duration/stage length.
Since the RJs traverse a variety of short and longer routes, they'll likely be provisioned the same way, but the official service spec will end beverage service on flights below a certain duration/stage length.
As you say, they'll likely provision them the same way, yet officially they will not be opened. That being said, "officially" there's already no service on flights under a certain length, and I can only remember a single one of those flights (I take quite a number) on which I have not gotten any form of service.
Mar 14, 2018, 10:28 pm
#36
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AA LT PLT (3.6+ MM), UA 1K LT Gold, Hilton LT Diamond, Bonvoy Gold.
Posts: 1,662
You should try UX SBA to SFO. The delays on that route are ridiculous. Not looking forward to my flight tomorrow, given the WX in SFO is supposed to be marginal....
Mar 21, 2018, 5:51 pm
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,362
In the back of my mind, I seem to vaguely recall the FA mentioning "219 miles", and I am wondering if he meant that flights shorter than 219 miles aren't catered after 4/1/2018.
All rumor and based on my poor recollection of course.....and would go against common wisdom that block times are normally used not distance.
Mar 21, 2018, 11:10 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
And I just learned about this: "Thru-Galley" leaves little food choice and even ice...
This is the guy who tried $2 water on US/HP flights so anything is possible.
This is the guy who tried $2 water on US/HP flights so anything is possible.
Apr 9, 2018, 8:04 pm
#42
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,362
Was on United's 15th shortest flight, AVP-EWR at 96 miles.
...... Stroopwaffel was handed out to everyone before door close, and FA proactively offered all 1k and GS a snack (pack). Orange juice and water was offered.
Flight duration 28 minutes......Just as I was so impressed, FA announced (paraphrasing): "After April 1st, United will not offer any catering on its shortest flights. You will need to bring your own water from then on."
...... Stroopwaffel was handed out to everyone before door close, and FA proactively offered all 1k and GS a snack (pack). Orange juice and water was offered.
Flight duration 28 minutes......Just as I was so impressed, FA announced (paraphrasing): "After April 1st, United will not offer any catering on its shortest flights. You will need to bring your own water from then on."
Sadly, I neglected to ask FA if this was a one-off, or if this is indeed a new change. GA and UC staff knew nothing.
Would be nice to know if this is SOP now or if it was just a coincidence.
Apr 10, 2018, 9:32 am
#43
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
Was on the same flight April 8, and as a single reference point: this time NOTHING at all was offered.
Sadly, I neglected to ask FA if this was a one-off, or if this is indeed a new change. GA and UC staff knew nothing.
Would be nice to know if this is SOP now or if it was just a coincidence.
Sadly, I neglected to ask FA if this was a one-off, or if this is indeed a new change. GA and UC staff knew nothing.
Would be nice to know if this is SOP now or if it was just a coincidence.
Apr 10, 2018, 9:55 am
#44
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Programs: UA 1K, UA .53 MM, Marriott Gold, Nexus, GE, TSA Pre, Hertz PC
Posts: 581
Flew ORD-GRR on Sunday, 4/8/18. No weather, delays or other interruptions - what I'd describe as a flight with normal ops. Departure time was ~10:00 PM.
Sat in 4B and received a pre-departure beverage....and that was it. Reached cruising altitude, seat belt sign came off, and we were free to move about the cabin. No water, snack or beverage service. What gives?
Sat in 4B and received a pre-departure beverage....and that was it. Reached cruising altitude, seat belt sign came off, and we were free to move about the cabin. No water, snack or beverage service. What gives?
Apr 10, 2018, 11:16 am
#45
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,454