Finally some free food in Y on long haul Hawaii (non-WestCoast) UA flights 1 Aug 2021
Oct 12, 2019, 7:40 pm
#76
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Toronto, Ont., Canada
Programs: Aeroplan; Marriott Platinum; IHG Platinum; Best Western Diamond
Posts: 2,165
UA 218, 8hr flight no meal
We just flew UA 218 HNL-ORD. Only served juice/soda and a cookie, no meal for a >8hr flight.
There's also no screen for movies. My wife and I could not connect to the onboard wifi. We were sitting at the back, so maybe too many people already connected by the time we sat down.
We flew on many shorter segments (various airlines) lately and there was always a meal, sometimes two, for that length of flight. No wonder as soon as we landed, many people rushed to restaurants to buy food.
There's also no screen for movies. My wife and I could not connect to the onboard wifi. We were sitting at the back, so maybe too many people already connected by the time we sat down.
We flew on many shorter segments (various airlines) lately and there was always a meal, sometimes two, for that length of flight. No wonder as soon as we landed, many people rushed to restaurants to buy food.
Oct 12, 2019, 7:44 pm
#77
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
What are you expecting? This is a domestic flight between the state of Illinois and Hawaii. If you want a meal buy one onboard or upgrade yourself to BusinessFirst (passengers last), or pick something up at the terminal. This is precisely what I did on my way back from Hawaii. There's a reason why WN, UA can price these domestic flights out so cheap and it's by doing away with all the posh and glamour from the 1960s.
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
Oct 12, 2019, 7:53 pm
#78
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,356
What are you expecting? This is a domestic flight between the state of Illinois and Hawaii. If you want a meal buy one onboard or upgrade yourself to BusinessFirst (passengers last), or pick something up at the terminal. This is precisely what I did on my way back from Hawaii. There's a reason why WN, UA can price these domestic flights out so cheap and it's by doing away with all the posh and glamour from the 1960s.
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
Having a meal on a 8 hour flight = posh & glamour of 60's?
Oct 12, 2019, 7:55 pm
#79
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
It's a long haul domestic flight - what's the issue. Heck I flew EW from DUS to LAS on a Basic fare and was offered nothing aside from water. I didn't care, I went to the Senator lounge before and got myself well fed and drunk before the flight. One of the most pleasant flights I had in a while. If you want the extras you'll pay for it (and not everyone does). It's the nature of the beast!
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
Oct 12, 2019, 7:57 pm
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,025
When you buy a ticket, UA tells you what to expect (food for purchase). In the days before the flight, UA e-mails what to expect in terms of entertainment and food (again, food for purchase). You’re not going to get much sympathy if you can’t be bothered to read what is presented to you multiple times.
United does not provide meals on shorter flights outside of a few coast to coast premium flights. Not sure who you fly that provides meals on shorter flights (Hawaiian?) or maybe it’s been a few years since you’ve flown?
As described by the ignored e-mail and during the flight attendant announcement, one has to download the United app to stream entertainment. Boarding last and sitting in back does not affect the availability of WiFi entertainment - not being prepared does.
United does not provide meals on shorter flights outside of a few coast to coast premium flights. Not sure who you fly that provides meals on shorter flights (Hawaiian?) or maybe it’s been a few years since you’ve flown?
As described by the ignored e-mail and during the flight attendant announcement, one has to download the United app to stream entertainment. Boarding last and sitting in back does not affect the availability of WiFi entertainment - not being prepared does.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Oct 12, 2019 at 8:06 pm
Oct 12, 2019, 8:00 pm
#81
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 687
It's a long haul domestic flight - what's the issue. Heck I flew EW from DUS to LAS on a Basic fare and was offered nothing aside from water. I didn't care, I went to the Senator lounge before and got myself well fed and drunk before the flight. One of the most pleasant flights I had in a while. If you want the extras you'll pay for it (and not everyone does). It's the nature of the beast!
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
Can you name another 7+ hour flight on any full service airline that doesn’t have a meal?
Hell, United serves two meals on Trans-Atlantic flights to other seasonal non-business locations in the UK, so your “nature of the beast” and pricing argument doesn’t hold up. A meal costs, what, less than a dollar per person? DL, AA & Hawaiian already do it on routes of that length, and UA is just being stupid with these flights.
They’ve tested light stuff on flights out of IAH, but no real investment yet. Time for them to get to the program....
Oct 12, 2019, 8:00 pm
#82
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
What are you expecting? This is a domestic flight between the state of Illinois and Hawaii. If you want a meal buy one onboard or upgrade yourself to BusinessFirst (passengers last), or pick something up at the terminal. This is precisely what I did on my way back from Hawaii. There's a reason why WN, UA can price these domestic flights out so cheap and it's by doing away with all the posh and glamour from the 1960s.
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
Oct 12, 2019, 8:07 pm
#83
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
We just flew UA 218 HNL-ORD. Only served juice/soda and a cookie, no meal for a >8hr flight.
There's also no screen for movies. My wife and I could not connect to the onboard wifi. We were sitting at the back, so maybe too many people already connected by the time we sat down.
We flew on many shorter segments (various airlines) lately and there was always a meal, sometimes two, for that length of flight. No wonder as soon as we landed, many people rushed to restaurants to buy food.
There's also no screen for movies. My wife and I could not connect to the onboard wifi. We were sitting at the back, so maybe too many people already connected by the time we sat down.
We flew on many shorter segments (various airlines) lately and there was always a meal, sometimes two, for that length of flight. No wonder as soon as we landed, many people rushed to restaurants to buy food.
. (Kinda like “Halfway To Hawaii,” only everybody who plays wins. 
)
Oct 12, 2019, 8:11 pm
#84
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
I’m sorry, but the OP is absolutely correct here.
Can you name another 7+ hour flight on any full service airline that doesn’t have a meal?
Hell, United serves two meals on Trans-Atlantic flights to other seasonal non-business locations in the UK, so your “nature of the beast” and pricing argument doesn’t hold up. A meal costs, what, less than a dollar per person? DL, AA & Hawaiian already do it on routes of that length, and UA is just being stupid with these flights.
They’ve tested light stuff on flights out of IAH, but no real investment yet. Time for them to get to the program....
Can you name another 7+ hour flight on any full service airline that doesn’t have a meal?
Hell, United serves two meals on Trans-Atlantic flights to other seasonal non-business locations in the UK, so your “nature of the beast” and pricing argument doesn’t hold up. A meal costs, what, less than a dollar per person? DL, AA & Hawaiian already do it on routes of that length, and UA is just being stupid with these flights.
They’ve tested light stuff on flights out of IAH, but no real investment yet. Time for them to get to the program....
Safe Travels,
James
Oct 12, 2019, 8:12 pm
#85
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
I’m sorry, but the OP is absolutely correct here.
Can you name another 7+ hour flight on any full service airline that doesn’t have a meal?
Hell, United serves two meals on Trans-Atlantic flights to other seasonal non-business locations in the UK, so your “nature of the beast” and pricing argument doesn’t hold up. A meal costs, what, less than a dollar per person? DL, AA & Hawaiian already do it on routes of that length, and UA is just being stupid with these flights.
They’ve tested light stuff on flights out of IAH, but no real investment yet. Time for them to get to the program....
Can you name another 7+ hour flight on any full service airline that doesn’t have a meal?
Hell, United serves two meals on Trans-Atlantic flights to other seasonal non-business locations in the UK, so your “nature of the beast” and pricing argument doesn’t hold up. A meal costs, what, less than a dollar per person? DL, AA & Hawaiian already do it on routes of that length, and UA is just being stupid with these flights.
They’ve tested light stuff on flights out of IAH, but no real investment yet. Time for them to get to the program....
Oct 12, 2019, 8:18 pm
#86
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
I should also point out that the meals on full service airlines are certainly nothing to write home about. There are threads on FT reporting back on the qwality of Y meals and I would challenge you to find any of those meals being filling never mind nutritious. I've flown TPACs where you would get 2 such meals and trust me on a 17 hour flight it's not nearly enough carbs!
You can't have it both ways. You can't expect to have the finest filling food, a nice comfortable seat, complimentary booze, checked bags and cigars to smoke in your cabin yet pay only $300 for the fare. We are spending the same amount of dollars today as in the 1960s in spite of inflation! That should tell you ample about the progress we've made in aviation! Before only the rich few could go spend a week in Hawaii or travel out to the Far East of Bombay and Calcutta. Today anyone with a decent travel rewards card and moderate experience using Expedia can pick up said flights.
Safe Travels,
James
You can't have it both ways. You can't expect to have the finest filling food, a nice comfortable seat, complimentary booze, checked bags and cigars to smoke in your cabin yet pay only $300 for the fare. We are spending the same amount of dollars today as in the 1960s in spite of inflation! That should tell you ample about the progress we've made in aviation! Before only the rich few could go spend a week in Hawaii or travel out to the Far East of Bombay and Calcutta. Today anyone with a decent travel rewards card and moderate experience using Expedia can pick up said flights.
Safe Travels,
James
Oct 12, 2019, 8:54 pm
#88
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UA, Starwood, Priority Club, Hertz, Starbucks Gold Card
Posts: 3,952
DL offers complimentary meals for coach pax on HNL-ATL.
AA offers complimentary meals for coach pax on HNL-DFW.
I dunno about AS and HA, so hopefully others may be able to chime in.
Shame on UA.
AA offers complimentary meals for coach pax on HNL-DFW.
I dunno about AS and HA, so hopefully others may be able to chime in.
Shame on UA.
Oct 12, 2019, 8:59 pm
#90
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Toronto, Ont., Canada
Programs: Aeroplan; Marriott Platinum; IHG Platinum; Best Western Diamond
Posts: 2,165
It's a long haul domestic flight - what's the issue. .. I didn't care, I went to the Senator lounge before and got myself well fed and drunk before the flight. One of the most pleasant flights I had in a while. If you want the extras you'll pay for it (and not everyone does). It's the nature of the beast!
When you buy a ticket, UA tells you what to expect (food for purchase). In the days before the flight, UA e-mails what to expect in terms of entertainment and food (again, food for purchase). You’re not going to get much sympathy if you can’t be bothered to read what is presented to you multiple times.
Fortunately we were prepared and had snacks with us.
Air Canada I believe doesn't serve meals on flights to the state of Hawaii from the Big Lemon. All the legacies in Europe these days charge extra for everything, when I flew LX and BA for a domestic flight to Switzerland or Ireland, I had to pay for my coke never mind a meal! I suspect there are other legacies that follow this as well for long haul.