Why aren't UA execs ashamed when Ethiopian Airlines have better meals in coach?
Jan 15, 2019, 5:10 pm
#46
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Surely you are aware I am referring to the overall Southwest product and service culture, along with Alaska, rated highest for a US domestic airline - a product of putting people and product first and analysts and investors last, where they belong.
Jan 15, 2019, 5:38 pm
#47
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Truth!
UA continues to cut FF benefits, jam more torture seats on its 10-across long-hauls, cater the cheapest food possible, etc. all in the pursuit of one thing---Profits.
With all of the majors doing the same in the US, and demand at all-time highs, there is no downside to decreasing the quality of the product-at least not until a recession hits.
UA continues to cut FF benefits, jam more torture seats on its 10-across long-hauls, cater the cheapest food possible, etc. all in the pursuit of one thing---Profits.
With all of the majors doing the same in the US, and demand at all-time highs, there is no downside to decreasing the quality of the product-at least not until a recession hits.
Basically the US carriers (and UA in particular) are trying to squeeze more from a smaller and smaller group of flyers who are loyal to them. When the economy tanks in the next 6 to 24 months, it will leave them very exposed.
Jan 15, 2019, 5:41 pm
#48
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Based on it, I really regretted not buying a C ticket.
Jan 15, 2019, 5:48 pm
#49
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Jan 15, 2019, 6:10 pm
#50
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Because the number of UA customers who care at all about the food on an airplane is pretty low.
Jan 15, 2019, 6:13 pm
#51
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But my point still stands. Surely you can see how in a thread about Airline A offering a bad Y meal (and with no other complaints about Airline A), which you are apparently arguing should be taken as proof of the poor "overall culture" of Airline A and how Airline A doesn't put "people and product first," it is kinda ludicrous to point to Airline B, which offers no meals whatsoever, as an example of how Airline B does a better job taking care of its customers.
Jan 15, 2019, 6:32 pm
#52
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And there would be people who complained "the food was bad and the portions were too small!" (ancient New York joke for those of you overseas...)
Jan 15, 2019, 6:54 pm
#53
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I have basically given up on airline food. When doing a long flight out of IAH we usually just eat in Pappadeaux in the terminal. On going to Rio for xmas I declined the meal. When we were coming back having eaten in the Star Alliance lounge we declined the airline meal.
Jan 15, 2019, 6:57 pm
#54
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You do realize we're talking about coach here and not Business or First class, right? What are you expecting Michelin inspired food paired with a lovely glass of Dom? What are you expecting when you spend $300 USD to fly from LHR to LAX and back in coach? Overall, having flown a number of times internationally with them, I found their coach food to be okay (nothing to write home about but acceptable quality). Comparing with other airlines I've flown over the years (SQ, NH, AC, BASA, 5T, etc.) I would say coach meals generally are meh. Generally, they serve something starchy (like bread), salad and some hot entree like lasagne. They serve the purpose of keeping you full and that's it!
Rumour has it that if you order a special meal on UA (i.e. vegan) not only will your food come out first but the quality will also be better since it's made in smaller batches. I'll let the more senior FTers comment on this approach and other strategies to Jiffy up their coach service!
Now if you're talking about Business or First class, then yes we could have a debate here and argue about how UA compares to the likes of AF, LH, NH to name but a few.
-James
Rumour has it that if you order a special meal on UA (i.e. vegan) not only will your food come out first but the quality will also be better since it's made in smaller batches. I'll let the more senior FTers comment on this approach and other strategies to Jiffy up their coach service!
Now if you're talking about Business or First class, then yes we could have a debate here and argue about how UA compares to the likes of AF, LH, NH to name but a few.
-James
Jan 15, 2019, 7:24 pm
#56
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Fairly pathetic thread - ET is 100% owned by the Ethiopian government let alone the differences in markets, regions, and company goals.
I've never found UA Y meals to be bad. Nothing to write home about, but certainly acceptable. Certainly never had some amazing Y dining experiences on any US-based carrier. Maybe marginally EK because of the extra side dish and metal silverware, but it's still the same basic chicken/pasta.
I've never found UA Y meals to be bad. Nothing to write home about, but certainly acceptable. Certainly never had some amazing Y dining experiences on any US-based carrier. Maybe marginally EK because of the extra side dish and metal silverware, but it's still the same basic chicken/pasta.
Jan 15, 2019, 7:27 pm
#57
Join Date: Apr 2018
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Why aren't UA execs ashamed when Ethiopian Airlines have better meals in coach?
Almost all of my UA flights are long haul TPAC flights. My most two recent flights are SFO-NRT-SFO.
Well... imagine my surprise when I flew Ethiopian Airlines for the first time on a similar 5000-mile flight.
The coach meals that I had had better presentation, better quantity and better taste... (compared directly to the UA meals that I'm used to on flights of similar length)
Sorry... end of rant...
Almost all of my UA flights are long haul TPAC flights. My most two recent flights are SFO-NRT-SFO.
Well... imagine my surprise when I flew Ethiopian Airlines for the first time on a similar 5000-mile flight.
The coach meals that I had had better presentation, better quantity and better taste... (compared directly to the UA meals that I'm used to on flights of similar length)
Sorry... end of rant...
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 15, 2019 at 9:56 pm Reason: removed personal attack; FT rule 12
Jan 15, 2019, 7:40 pm
#58
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Yes, it's cyclical. However what is weird is that in this very rare period where quality is at an all-time low AND demand at an all-time high, no one sees a new opportunity to create a better air travel experience while also being price-sensitive, challenging the legacies. Post-deregulation, a cyclical height of the economy always saw the creation of at least 1 successful new airline with this exact mission. In recent times, 2000 saw Jetblue and 2007 saw Virgin America. Both created ripple effects in the industry and set standards that the legacies were (or are) compared to. The worst is yet to come if we go into the next recession without a new airline.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 15, 2019 at 9:57 pm Reason: OMNI comments removed