Discussion of the Quality of UA's In-Flight Meals
Dec 23, 2019, 8:41 am
#1
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Discussion of the Quality of UA's In-Flight Meals
Have pull a number of posts from the Let's Eat threads -- primarily the Let's Eat Polaris threads -- on the state of UA's in-flight meals. But let's generalize this to all in-flight meals
The Let's East threads have for many years served in a resource role, documenting actual in-flight meals. Many have used the Let's Eat threads to get an idea of what might be served on future flights. We can use this new thread for a more in-depth discussion of the state of UA's in-flight meals generally.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
The Let's East threads have for many years served in a resource role, documenting actual in-flight meals. Many have used the Let's Eat threads to get an idea of what might be served on future flights. We can use this new thread for a more in-depth discussion of the state of UA's in-flight meals generally.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 31, 2019 at 8:28 pm Reason: creating a thread header
Dec 23, 2019, 8:41 am
#2
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Discussion of the Quality of UA's In-Flight Meals
Whether the Polaris product is superior or inferior is of course purely subjective.
If we just focus on the food offerings (based on the title of this thread), my subjective opinion is that the entree (including the second meal options) are inferior. I think the salad, appetizer deserts are fine. Soft drinks and spirits are fine while bubbling and wine selections fall short. Coffee is below average at best.
I do about 100K on other *A airlines each year and I get the same old menus on SQ, NH, LH, AC, TH, CA, etc I fly them often enough, so the complaints about UA never changes its menu are the same on other airlines.
it is often one will get that fresh feel when you fly other airlines after flying UA often, but once you fly other airlines often, the same tired feeling will surface as well.
UA is really good on the hard products including the bedding and IFE, so hope the hard products will compensate the inferior entrees we get onboard.
If we just focus on the food offerings (based on the title of this thread), my subjective opinion is that the entree (including the second meal options) are inferior. I think the salad, appetizer deserts are fine. Soft drinks and spirits are fine while bubbling and wine selections fall short. Coffee is below average at best.
I do about 100K on other *A airlines each year and I get the same old menus on SQ, NH, LH, AC, TH, CA, etc I fly them often enough, so the complaints about UA never changes its menu are the same on other airlines.
it is often one will get that fresh feel when you fly other airlines after flying UA often, but once you fly other airlines often, the same tired feeling will surface as well.
UA is really good on the hard products including the bedding and IFE, so hope the hard products will compensate the inferior entrees we get onboard.
Dec 23, 2019, 9:20 am
#3
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I do about 100K on other *A airlines each year and I get the same old menus on SQ, NH, LH, AC, TH, CA, etc I fly them often enough, so the complaints about UA never changes its menu are the same on other airlines.
it is often one will get that fresh feel when you fly other airlines after flying UA often, but once you fly other airlines often, the same tired feeling will surface as well.
UA is really good on the hard products including the bedding and IFE, so hope the hard products will compensate the inferior entrees we get onboard.
it is often one will get that fresh feel when you fly other airlines after flying UA often, but once you fly other airlines often, the same tired feeling will surface as well.
UA is really good on the hard products including the bedding and IFE, so hope the hard products will compensate the inferior entrees we get onboard.
Dec 23, 2019, 9:38 am
#4
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I agree, all airlines just cycle through their same tired menus--especially AA/DL which are UA's main competitors. But I think UA should spend a bit more on some higher quality ingredients, where it noticeably falls short. SQ also at least has the option to pre-select over 20 main entrees which makes the food a bit less boring. But that doesn't make up for the terrible hard product.
Dec 23, 2019, 4:16 pm
#5
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Whether the Polaris product is superior or inferior is of course purely subjective.
If we just focus on the food offerings (based on the title of this thread), my subjective opinion is that the entree (including the second meal options) are inferior. I think the salad, appetizer deserts are fine. Soft drinks and spirits are fine while bubbling and wine selections fall short. Coffee is below average at best.
If we just focus on the food offerings (based on the title of this thread), my subjective opinion is that the entree (including the second meal options) are inferior. I think the salad, appetizer deserts are fine. Soft drinks and spirits are fine while bubbling and wine selections fall short. Coffee is below average at best.
The shortfall IMHO is not offering anything beyond basic coffee on board (expresso, Cappuccino etc). On the ground the offerings are fine.
Dec 23, 2019, 5:23 pm
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Dec 23, 2019, 10:15 pm
#8
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Interesting - I find the Illy coffee better than any other airline’s (that I have flown anyway) base coffee. Of course I was buying it occasionally at home before UA switched to it as well.
The shortfall IMHO is not offering anything beyond basic coffee on board (expresso, Cappuccino etc). On the ground the offerings are fine.
The shortfall IMHO is not offering anything beyond basic coffee on board (expresso, Cappuccino etc). On the ground the offerings are fine.
Dec 29, 2019, 10:36 am
#9
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There will soon be a new thread: "2020 Let's Eat - Polaris Business".
If the current UA trend of declining food quality continues, we will fondly look upon the 2018 and this 2019 thread!
Amazing, just amazing.
I'll close out with some alternative food pics from other airlines I experienced within the last few months:
If the current UA trend of declining food quality continues, we will fondly look upon the 2018 and this 2019 thread!
Amazing, just amazing.
I'll close out with some alternative food pics from other airlines I experienced within the last few months:
Dec 29, 2019, 4:18 pm
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Dec 29, 2019, 4:41 pm
#11
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I enjoyed every one of them. Also to note: none of those pics are of the main course; only appetizer and breakfast.
- Hainan Airlines has Brazil Nuts and Hazelnuts (Filberts) ^.
- Thai has poached eggs cooked to perfection (with asparagus) ^.
- Hainan has Campari® ^^^.
- Hainan has a bread "basket" including FRESH bread that isn't stale! ^
- The Etihad one was a "local" appetizer sample platter...and delicious! ^
United has Thai Spicy Chicken & Western Omelette which are good....but NOTHING else [IMO]!
Dec 29, 2019, 5:49 pm
#12
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Fair enough, tastes vary.
I enjoyed every one of them. Also to note: none of those pics are of the main course; only appetizer and breakfast.
- Hainan Airlines has Brazil Nuts and Hazelnuts (Filberts) ^.
- Thai has poached eggs cooked to perfection (with asparagus) ^.
- Hainan has Campari® ^^^.
- Hainan has a bread "basket" including FRESH bread that isn't stale! ^
- The Etihad one was a "local" appetizer sample platter...and delicious! ^
United has Thai Spicy Chicken & Western Omelette which are good....but NOTHING else [IMO]!
I enjoyed every one of them. Also to note: none of those pics are of the main course; only appetizer and breakfast.
- Hainan Airlines has Brazil Nuts and Hazelnuts (Filberts) ^.
- Thai has poached eggs cooked to perfection (with asparagus) ^.
- Hainan has Campari® ^^^.
- Hainan has a bread "basket" including FRESH bread that isn't stale! ^
- The Etihad one was a "local" appetizer sample platter...and delicious! ^
United has Thai Spicy Chicken & Western Omelette which are good....but NOTHING else [IMO]!
I had some wonderful meals this year on BR, TG, SQ, Ethiopia, NH, CA, LX and Austrian. The gap has been widened between UA and other *A carriers. Imagine having fresh Chirashi Sushi on SQ flight, gourmet coffee on Austrian, decent Bordeaux on Air China, and perfectly cooked poached eggs on TH and BR.
A loyal UA customer does not need to be a UA defender or apologist. I have made it known to UA that they have a wonderful hard product, services have been good, route netowork is superb, but their inflight meals and drinks are falling way behind.
Dec 29, 2019, 6:10 pm
#13
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I always enjoyed perusing your uploaded images! ^