So Did Hot Bites Officially Bite The Dust?or is the Report of Their Demise Premature?
Dec 31, 2018, 11:58 pm
#31
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,682
On board SYD-IAH right now, 01JAN UA100. We have grilled cheese & tomato soup or shepherds pie. The sky is not falling. Until next month. 
Jan 1, 2019, 4:58 am
#32
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,335
They are a vile excuse for a chocolate praline.
Jan 1, 2019, 7:40 am
#33
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,992
Seriously though, the cost-cutting is really getting out of hand. The Polaris lounges are still good, though (knock on wood). I too, liked the "Hot Bites", and there is no way that customer feedback led to their demise TATL.
On my most recent EWR-NRT flight, they ran out of Coke Zero at the 2 hour mark. On the return, they had only 2 cans on the whole plane (they searched coach for me) and gave them both to me. Something is awry with the catering these days. Oh, and they shouldn't have gotten rid of the Sprite Zero-also one of my favorite drinks.
Last edited by zombietooth; Jan 1, 2019 at 7:48 am
Jan 1, 2019, 9:30 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVPG, DL GM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,266
I can confirm the grilled cheese + tomato soup were proactively offered today by a wonderful crew on PVG-SFO. Grilled cheese was really good, tomato soup was so so - pretty watery.
Jan 1, 2019, 9:38 am
#35
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,879
Jan 1, 2019, 9:48 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
Is part of the issue the terminology “hot bites”? Are people asking literally for hot bites? I’ve been flying Polaris regularly since its roll out and have never associated that term with the Polaris experience. I always thought they were all “mid-flight snacks,” some of which are warm.
Then again, I’m not studying the menu regularly and have substantially lowered my expectations for snacks based on the decline in service.
Then again, I’m not studying the menu regularly and have substantially lowered my expectations for snacks based on the decline in service.
Jan 1, 2019, 10:09 am
#38
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 245
As another data point, flying GVA-IAD right now and asked for a “warm snack”. Flight attendant went to go check and returned to tell me there is Beef Burguignon. I found that strange and wondered whether it was the pre-arrival snack meant to be served in a few hours. Per the menu, however, the pre-arrival snack is Grilled Chicken. I ordered the Beef so let’s see what happens..
Snack cart in the galley consists of leftover desserts (no macaroons left, one cheese plate, and limited leftovers of the small other desserts/tarts), a pretty sorry selection of small snack bags in a snack basket, and a few Saran-wrapped fruits.
Snack cart in the galley consists of leftover desserts (no macaroons left, one cheese plate, and limited leftovers of the small other desserts/tarts), a pretty sorry selection of small snack bags in a snack basket, and a few Saran-wrapped fruits.
Jan 1, 2019, 10:21 am
#39
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 575
In terms of inflight meals:
I see no difference between the pre-Polaris United Business and Polaris of today....other than the sweet deserts.
The downgrade is the elimination of noodle soup during mid-flight over the Pacific, and elimination of two choices of decent salad dressing.
I consider the current Polaris inflight meals as an overall downgrade from the former United Business offerings.
Jan 1, 2019, 10:44 am
#40
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,235
I had also heard the small pillow was gone. Was that referring to the gel pillow? I had one on my seat (along with the full sized pillow, duvet, blanket, slippers, and amenities kit) both ways EWR-HKG and HKG-EWR this past week. Requested and received a mattress pad and pajamas as well.
I also miss the mid-flight noodle soup.
I also miss the mid-flight noodle soup.
Jan 1, 2019, 10:45 am
#41
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
@nygiants242 how was the beef? How was it plated?
Jan 1, 2019, 10:46 am
#42
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 575
I had also heard the small pillow was gone. Was that referring to the gel pillow? I had one on my seat (along with the full sized pillow, duvet, blanket, slippers, and amenities kit) both ways EWR-HKG and HKG-EWR this past week. Requested and received a mattress pad and pajamas as well.
I also miss the mid-flight noodle soup.
I also miss the mid-flight noodle soup.
Jan 1, 2019, 10:51 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
same here this week!
Jan 1, 2019, 10:52 am
#44
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 245
@nygiants242 how was the beef? How was it plated?
It came in a small bowl, on a small saucer (no tray) with the napkin/cutlery set. A few pieces of beef, boiled potatoes, in a sauce. Honestly better than nothing so I’m happy to have it. But the bar with a United is always lower (e.g. a surprise that they even HAVE a hot snack, etc)
Seems very hit or miss, or inconsistent though.
Quick update: our pre arrival snack had 3 options - deli plate, chicken + couscous, and beef bourguignon. Looks like they just served me one of the pre-arrival snacks early in the middle of the flight
Last edited by nygiants242; Jan 1, 2019 at 12:02 pm
Jan 1, 2019, 11:03 am
#45
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 26
On SFO-CDG last week, I asked the FA taking dinner orders whether they had grilled cheese + soup for my three year old as an alternative to the dinner options. She said they could do that, but then searched and came back to say that none had been catered. On CDG-IAD on Sunday, I asked the FA the same thing, and he looked clueless as I tried to explain what I was requesting, saying he had never heard of the grilled cheese + soup combo being offered. I didn't ask about other options because she doesn't eat meat.
I didn't see anyone eating a warm mid-flight snack on either flight. The mid-flight snacks were the same leftovers from the dessert cart, random chips and other snacks and fruit.
I didn't see anyone eating a warm mid-flight snack on either flight. The mid-flight snacks were the same leftovers from the dessert cart, random chips and other snacks and fruit.