Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Related threads
2019 Let's Eat - United First, United Business, & Premium Transcon Service
2019 Let's Eat - Economy Class (Domestic & International)
And the 2018 thread is here: 2018 Let's Eat - Polaris Business
2019 Let's Eat - United First, United Business, & Premium Transcon Service
2019 Let's Eat - Economy Class (Domestic & International)
And the 2018 thread is here: 2018 Let's Eat - Polaris Business
2019 Let's Eat - Polaris Business
#92
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,453
NOTE: This is NOT from a Polaris service... January 2019 EWR-DEN dinner
It's a decent DOMESTIC dish, but it's downright sad for an international business class entree portion.
Ironically, for now, the premium transcon service has much nicer main course presentation than Polaris (or has that changed, too?).
It goes without saying, but mark this down as a "change I hate"...
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,929
United called me. The plates are gone, but the bowls will remain for soup and pasta. So no, not every meal will be on the casserole dish, but almost all.
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
I am less concerned about the plates themselves, but more concerned about what will be served on the plate/dish/bowl and the portion of serving.
looking at the photo above, the plate and contents are less in quantity and lower in quality than SQ economy class.
I am flying Polaris J and SQ Y this month, and will see if I can do pictorial comparisons.
looking at the photo above, the plate and contents are less in quantity and lower in quality than SQ economy class.
I am flying Polaris J and SQ Y this month, and will see if I can do pictorial comparisons.
#95
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,453
Pre-plated meals can be delivered in an appealing manner. These aren't. This seems to be the lowest-cost option.
It's remarkable to look at the initial Polaris soft product announcements and see what the product has degraded to... though it should come as a surprise to exactly no one.
It's remarkable to look at the initial Polaris soft product announcements and see what the product has degraded to... though it should come as a surprise to exactly no one.
#96
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467
Pre-plated meals can be delivered in an appealing manner. These aren't. This seems to be the lowest-cost option.
It's remarkable to look at the initial Polaris soft product announcements and see what the product has degraded to... though it should come as a surprise to exactly no one.
It's remarkable to look at the initial Polaris soft product announcements and see what the product has degraded to... though it should come as a surprise to exactly no one.
#97
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
#98
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,445
#99
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15
I have personally seen the new meals more than once this month. As much as I dislike going to pre-plated meals in Polaris-they are the exact same meals and portions as served before, just pre-plated, with the exception of the spicy chicken noodle soup, which is still dished up. The casserole dishes are a larger size than what is used for domestic first meals.
#100
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: LX Senator; AF Platinum and Club 2000; AA Platinum for life (former EXP)
Posts: 494
Actually pre-plated meals are guaranteed to be of lower quality. It is essentially impossible to cook all the ingredients to the correct degree. Something is going to be overcooked; something else undercooked. You simply can't have a premium quality meal prepared this way. Are the flight crews too lazy or incompetent to plate up meals?
#101
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,453
Actually pre-plated meals are guaranteed to be of lower quality. It is essentially impossible to cook all the ingredients to the correct degree. Something is going to be overcooked; something else undercooked. You simply can't have a premium quality meal prepared this way. Are the flight crews too lazy or incompetent to plate up meals?
The forthcoming 46J 767 uses essentially the same galley space as the 30J version, and premium economy will likely use casserole-style entrees similar to those served in Polaris. All of this is accomplished with the same level of FA staffing (and in some cases, less). Plus, the company is looking to shave costs where it can. So, here we are.
#102
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Let us compare...
As much as the others aren't great, UA is just that much worse and harkens to an era when business was the second cabin on the plane.
AA
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b1cc476541.jpg
DL
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...171aa8b5c6.jpg
As much as the others aren't great, UA is just that much worse and harkens to an era when business was the second cabin on the plane.
AA
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b1cc476541.jpg
DL
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...171aa8b5c6.jpg
#103
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
I guess that the fancy Polaris dishes will go to join those defective ice cream bowls in a warehouse somewhere. Or will they be recycled? Or will they stay in service in the Willis Tower dining room?
#104
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,445
Why can't UA and others simply pre-plate the protein separately from pre-plated sides? Jetblue's popular Mint service does this. Smaller dishes for each, can be cooked to different temps, and allow for more mixing and matching of options. Plus, vegetarians can choose two of the sides for a meat-free option. And the small dishes can also then serve as the mid-flight and pre-arrival meals? Almost provides a dine-on-demand option.
#105
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467