Apr 18, 20, 2:31 pm
Last edit by: cesco.g
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/inflight/dining/inflight-dining-changes.html
Updated posting July 2020 - Ice, tea and coffee returns and some small food enhancements.
orignal posting
crew meals, covered by contract, appear minimally changed
Updated posting July 2020 - Ice, tea and coffee returns and some small food enhancements.
Safety updates to inflight dining
Your safety and the safety of our employees is our highest priority. To try and further limit potential exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) on board, were temporarily adjusting our inflight service as of March 29 and will be moving to primarily pre-packaged foods and sealed beverages. Preorder meals and food for purchase will not be available. Were also unable to offer special meals except for Kosher meals on flights to and from Tel Aviv.
Beverage changes for all flights
We will be offering sealed beverages on all flights. If youre on a flight under 1 hour, youll receive beverages on request. Well also offer coffee and tea on domestic flights departing before 9:45 a.m. and on all international and premium transcontinental flights. Non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary, and alcoholic beverages are complimentary in premium cabins. Wine and beer are also complimentary in United Economy on long-haul international flights.
Food changes for domestic flights
We won't have snacks available in United Economy for flights under 2 hours and 20 minutes or in United First for flights under 1 hour. As always, you're welcome to bring snacks on board. For flights between 1 hour and 2 hours and 20 minutes in United First, you'll receive an "all-in-one" snack bag with a wrapped sanitizer wipe, 8.5-ounce bottled water and two snacks.
For flights 2 hours and 20 minutes or longer, you'll receive an "all-in-one" snack bag with a wrapped sanitizer wipe, 8.5-ounce bottled water and two snacks in United Economy. In the premium cabin, you'll be offered a snack box.
Food changes for premium transcontinental flights
If you're flying in United Economy or Economy Plus, you'll receive an "all-in-one" snack bag with a wrapped sanitizer wipe, 8.5-ounce bottled water and two snacks. Customers in the premium cabin will receive their meal with their entre choice covered and will be offered a packaged snack for pre-arrival.
Food changes for international flights
In United Economy, youll receive an entre, a snack and packaged dessert, as well as pre-packed mid-flight and pre-arrival items on select flights. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap.
In United Premium Plus and United Polaris business class, your entre, dessert and bread will be served together. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap. Youll receive a pre-packaged snack for midflight and a fresh packaged meal for pre-arrival on select flights.
Your safety and the safety of our employees is our highest priority. To try and further limit potential exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) on board, were temporarily adjusting our inflight service as of March 29 and will be moving to primarily pre-packaged foods and sealed beverages. Preorder meals and food for purchase will not be available. Were also unable to offer special meals except for Kosher meals on flights to and from Tel Aviv.
Beverage changes for all flights
We will be offering sealed beverages on all flights. If youre on a flight under 1 hour, youll receive beverages on request. Well also offer coffee and tea on domestic flights departing before 9:45 a.m. and on all international and premium transcontinental flights. Non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary, and alcoholic beverages are complimentary in premium cabins. Wine and beer are also complimentary in United Economy on long-haul international flights.
Food changes for domestic flights
We won't have snacks available in United Economy for flights under 2 hours and 20 minutes or in United First for flights under 1 hour. As always, you're welcome to bring snacks on board. For flights between 1 hour and 2 hours and 20 minutes in United First, you'll receive an "all-in-one" snack bag with a wrapped sanitizer wipe, 8.5-ounce bottled water and two snacks.
For flights 2 hours and 20 minutes or longer, you'll receive an "all-in-one" snack bag with a wrapped sanitizer wipe, 8.5-ounce bottled water and two snacks in United Economy. In the premium cabin, you'll be offered a snack box.
Food changes for premium transcontinental flights
If you're flying in United Economy or Economy Plus, you'll receive an "all-in-one" snack bag with a wrapped sanitizer wipe, 8.5-ounce bottled water and two snacks. Customers in the premium cabin will receive their meal with their entre choice covered and will be offered a packaged snack for pre-arrival.
Food changes for international flights
In United Economy, youll receive an entre, a snack and packaged dessert, as well as pre-packed mid-flight and pre-arrival items on select flights. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap.
In United Premium Plus and United Polaris business class, your entre, dessert and bread will be served together. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap. Youll receive a pre-packaged snack for midflight and a fresh packaged meal for pre-arrival on select flights.
Safety updates to inflight dining
Your safety and the safety of our employees is our highest priority. To try and further limit potential exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) on board, were temporarily adjusting our inflight service as of March 29 and will be moving to primarily pre-packaged foods and sealed beverages. Preorder meals and food for purchase will not be available. Were also unable to offer special meals except for Kosher meals on flights to and from Tel Aviv.
Beverage changes for all flights
We will only offer sealed beverages and we will no longer offer ice, coffee and tea service, and poured alcohol. Instead of pouring you water from a large bottle, well provide sealed individual water bottles. In premium cabins, we will offer beer and individual wines. Flights under 2 hours and 20 minutes will only have beverages on request.
Food changes for domestic flights
For flights under 2 hours and 20 minutes, we will not offer a snack service in any cabin. As always, youre welcome to bring snacks on board.
For flights over 2 hours and 20 minutes, you will receive your choice of pretzels, a stroopwafel or cookies in United Economy. In the premium cabin, youll be offered a snackbox.
Food changes for premium transcontinental flights
If youre flying in United Economy or Economy Plus, youll be offered a snack choice. Customers in the premium cabin will receive their packaged meal with their entre choice covered and will be offered a packaged snack for pre-arrival.
Food changes for international flights
In United Economy, youll receive an entre, a snack and packaged dessert, as well as pre-packed mid-flight and pre-arrival items on select flights. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap.
In United Premium Plus and United Polaris business class, your entre, dessert and bread will be served together. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap. Youll receive a pre-packaged snack for midflight and a fresh packaged meal for pre-arrival.
Your safety and the safety of our employees is our highest priority. To try and further limit potential exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) on board, were temporarily adjusting our inflight service as of March 29 and will be moving to primarily pre-packaged foods and sealed beverages. Preorder meals and food for purchase will not be available. Were also unable to offer special meals except for Kosher meals on flights to and from Tel Aviv.
Beverage changes for all flights
We will only offer sealed beverages and we will no longer offer ice, coffee and tea service, and poured alcohol. Instead of pouring you water from a large bottle, well provide sealed individual water bottles. In premium cabins, we will offer beer and individual wines. Flights under 2 hours and 20 minutes will only have beverages on request.
Food changes for domestic flights
For flights under 2 hours and 20 minutes, we will not offer a snack service in any cabin. As always, youre welcome to bring snacks on board.
For flights over 2 hours and 20 minutes, you will receive your choice of pretzels, a stroopwafel or cookies in United Economy. In the premium cabin, youll be offered a snackbox.
Food changes for premium transcontinental flights
If youre flying in United Economy or Economy Plus, youll be offered a snack choice. Customers in the premium cabin will receive their packaged meal with their entre choice covered and will be offered a packaged snack for pre-arrival.
Food changes for international flights
In United Economy, youll receive an entre, a snack and packaged dessert, as well as pre-packed mid-flight and pre-arrival items on select flights. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap.
In United Premium Plus and United Polaris business class, your entre, dessert and bread will be served together. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap. Youll receive a pre-packaged snack for midflight and a fresh packaged meal for pre-arrival.
crew meals, covered by contract, appear minimally changed
COVID Era UA inflight service changes {Archive}
Aug 15, 21, 6:28 pm
#2011
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
Originally Posted by SPN Lifer
Keeping the foil cover on will reduce the likelihood of a meal garnished by sneeze droplets or virus exhalations that have drifted into the path of the food cart.
For those sitting in the aisle seats, that is the most common direction to cough, sneeze, or breathe.
For those sitting in the aisle seats, that is the most common direction to cough, sneeze, or breathe.
I think there's a fundamental divide between substance and symbolism. When I fly business class, I want a decent meal served fast and safely, followed by sleep in a comfortable lie-flat seat. I don't want to, or expect to, be served like it's a fine restaurant in the sky. That doesn't matter to me at all, because it neither affects the taste of the food nor makes it easier for me to get to sleep.
Aug 15, 21, 6:36 pm
#2012
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,722
Originally Posted by dilanesp
I am a big fan of this as well.
I think there's a fundamental divide between substance and symbolism. When I fly business class, I want a decent meal served fast and safely, followed by sleep in a comfortable lie-flat seat. I don't want to, or expect to, be served like it's a fine restaurant in the sky. That doesn't matter to me at all, because it neither affects the taste of the food nor makes it easier for me to get to sleep.
I think there's a fundamental divide between substance and symbolism. When I fly business class, I want a decent meal served fast and safely, followed by sleep in a comfortable lie-flat seat. I don't want to, or expect to, be served like it's a fine restaurant in the sky. That doesn't matter to me at all, because it neither affects the taste of the food nor makes it easier for me to get to sleep.
Aug 15, 21, 8:11 pm
#2013
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,289
Originally Posted by Flying Machine
im in the fine dining in the sky camp. Miss the ole UA days with PDB in a glass, Dinner served in courses, dessert cart and cheese service. Bring back memories huh?
Aug 18, 21, 4:37 am
#2014
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA PPro, DL PM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,445
Had to switch to UA for my return from the UK next week.
I haven't actually flown UA J before, but I gather that the experience isn't what it used to be. But still, it can't be any worse than Delta's J catering circa 2019, right?
I'll report back on how things go.
I haven't actually flown UA J before, but I gather that the experience isn't what it used to be. But still, it can't be any worse than Delta's J catering circa 2019, right?
I'll report back on how things go.
Aug 18, 21, 7:03 am
#2015
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL SM/MM, AA Gold, HH Dia, PC Plat, ALL Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 4,461
Originally Posted by KDCAflyer
Had to switch to UA for my return from the UK next week.
I haven't actually flown UA J before, but I gather that the experience isn't what it used to be. But still, it can't be any worse than Delta's J catering circa 2019, right?
I'll report back on how things go.
I haven't actually flown UA J before, but I gather that the experience isn't what it used to be. But still, it can't be any worse than Delta's J catering circa 2019, right?
I'll report back on how things go.
Aug 18, 21, 7:55 am
#2016
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,981
Originally Posted by KDCAflyer
Had to switch to UA for my return from the UK next week.
I haven't actually flown UA J before, but I gather that the experience isn't what it used to be. But still, it can't be any worse than Delta's J catering circa 2019, right?
I'll report back on how things go.
I haven't actually flown UA J before, but I gather that the experience isn't what it used to be. But still, it can't be any worse than Delta's J catering circa 2019, right?
I'll report back on how things go.
Have a good trip.
Aug 18, 21, 8:08 am
#2017
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IAH & CMH
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Uber Platinum :)
Posts: 636
Originally Posted by KDCAflyer
Had to switch to UA for my return from the UK next week.
I haven't actually flown UA J before, but I gather that the experience isn't what it used to be. But still, it can't be any worse than Delta's J catering circa 2019, right?
I haven't actually flown UA J before, but I gather that the experience isn't what it used to be. But still, it can't be any worse than Delta's J catering circa 2019, right?
Aug 18, 21, 8:15 am
#2018
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 8,842
Originally Posted by Dyce
<Holding United's beer>
Aug 18, 21, 8:25 am
#2019
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 4,657
I was thinking about UA still offering drinks in plastic cups, a la kindergarten. If you're departing a station that has a United Club why not bring a glass from there with you, use it on the flight and leave it onboard when you leave. You haven't stolen it and it might get UA to begin to return their product to where it should be.
Aug 18, 21, 10:59 am
#2020
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 301
Originally Posted by worldtrav
I was thinking about UA still offering drinks in plastic cups, a la kindergarten. If you're departing a station that has a United Club why not bring a glass from there with you, use it on the flight and leave it onboard when you leave. You haven't stolen it and it might get UA to begin to return their product to where it should be.
Aug 18, 21, 11:28 am
#2021
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA PPro, DL PM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,445
Originally Posted by EWR764
I will take every single aspect of Delta 2019 over today’s abysmal “mail it in” service.
From what I've read, UA is running far behind AA and DL in terms of restoring onboard service, but unfortunately I really need that late afternoon nonstop into IAD.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 18, 21 at 12:19 pm Reason: Using symbols, spaces or other methods to mask vulgarities is not allowed.
Aug 18, 21, 1:12 pm
#2022
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 8,842
Originally Posted by KDCAflyer
From what I've read, UA is running far behind AA and DL in terms of restoring onboard service, but unfortunately I really need that late afternoon nonstop into IAD.
Aug 18, 21, 1:57 pm
#2023
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA PPro, DL PM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,445
Originally Posted by EWR764
I would argue that UA is far ahead of DL in restoring inflight service, and in some cases UA is doing a better job than AA. But, YMMV.
Again I have zero baseline for United, other than the marketing that Polaris is (supposed to be) a great product. But honestly this is mostly about the seat these days I guess. I managed to get a good last-minute J award price, so I can't complain.
Aug 18, 21, 2:28 pm
#2024
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 8,842
Originally Posted by KDCAflyer
IDK. When I flew over here on AA, they had a full printed menu that looked about normal. No pre-departure beverage, but everything else seemed right.
Again I have zero baseline for United, other than the marketing that Polaris is (supposed to be) a great product. But honestly this is mostly about the seat these days I guess. I managed to get a good last-minute J award price, so I can't complain.
Again I have zero baseline for United, other than the marketing that Polaris is (supposed to be) a great product. But honestly this is mostly about the seat these days I guess. I managed to get a good last-minute J award price, so I can't complain.
Aug 19, 21, 4:24 am
#2025
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: At home in the PNW
Posts: 50,029
Originally Posted by Kmxu
Please read a few pages of posts on this thread. Your expectation will then be properly set. If you are lucky to have a nice crew, your expectation will be exceeded.
Have a good trip.
Have a good trip.
