Apr 18, 2020, 1:31 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...ll-cabins.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, we’re 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. We’re 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 you’re on a flight under 1 hour, you’ll receive beverages on request. We’ll 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 entrée choice covered and will be offered a packaged snack for pre-arrival.
Food changes for international flights
In United Economy®, you’ll receive an entrée, 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 entrée, dessert and bread will be served together. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap. You’ll 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, we’re 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. We’re 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 you’re on a flight under 1 hour, you’ll receive beverages on request. We’ll 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 entrée choice covered and will be offered a packaged snack for pre-arrival.
Food changes for international flights
In United Economy®, you’ll receive an entrée, 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 entrée, dessert and bread will be served together. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap. You’ll 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, we’re 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. We’re 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, we’ll 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, you’re 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, you’ll be offered a snackbox.
Food changes for premium transcontinental flights
If you’re flying in United Economy or Economy Plus®, you’ll be offered a snack choice. Customers in the premium cabin will receive their packaged meal with their entrée choice covered and will be offered a packaged snack for pre-arrival.
Food changes for international flights
In United Economy®, you’ll receive an entrée, 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 entrée, dessert and bread will be served together. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap. You’ll 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, we’re 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. We’re 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, we’ll 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, you’re 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, you’ll be offered a snackbox.
Food changes for premium transcontinental flights
If you’re flying in United Economy or Economy Plus®, you’ll be offered a snack choice. Customers in the premium cabin will receive their packaged meal with their entrée choice covered and will be offered a packaged snack for pre-arrival.
Food changes for international flights
In United Economy®, you’ll receive an entrée, 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 entrée, dessert and bread will be served together. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap. You’ll 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}
Sep 18, 2021, 10:24 pm
#2146
Join Date: Sep 2021
Programs: Delta Platinum, Hilton HHonors Silver, Hertz Gold Status.
Posts: 80
There's really nothing wrong with PDBs in plastic cups right now. Even DL doesn't offer them at the moment. "Covid Crutch" as I call it for F/A's not doing the work.
However another user said they miss sorbet on the HI flights and to be honest, that side course was a poor excuse for the actual sundae. Sorbet is just gross in general, and I'll take a Ben and Jerry's cup on DL over that. However, UA should really look into just covering up standard pre-made ice cream sundaes and serving them instead. We can't forget UA had a problem like this for a while and phased them out because the bowls broke after the Polaris launch though.
However another user said they miss sorbet on the HI flights and to be honest, that side course was a poor excuse for the actual sundae. Sorbet is just gross in general, and I'll take a Ben and Jerry's cup on DL over that. However, UA should really look into just covering up standard pre-made ice cream sundaes and serving them instead. We can't forget UA had a problem like this for a while and phased them out because the bowls broke after the Polaris launch though.
Sep 18, 2021, 11:36 pm
#2147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SEA or BGR, Lower Earth Orbit
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 17,217
For as long as I can remember, UA did their PDBs in plastic. The reasoning was they didn't have to collect it at departure like they did if it was glass.
But in the end, yes. If there's no market pressure to change, there won't be a change.
But in the end, yes. If there's no market pressure to change, there won't be a change.
Sep 18, 2021, 11:36 pm
#2148
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
In the meantime, on LH in business I recently received a PDB and menu upon boarding, beverages served in glasses, warm nuts in a ramekin, my appetizer and meal plated attractively, two different types of bread, neither one in a cellophane wrapper, and was offered a cold and hot arrival meal also plated attractively.
If LH can do it, why can’t UA?
If LH can do it, why can’t UA?
Sep 18, 2021, 11:50 pm
#2149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,514
There's really nothing wrong with PDBs in plastic cups right now. Even DL doesn't offer them at the moment. "Covid Crutch" as I call it for F/A's not doing the work.
However another user said they miss sorbet on the HI flights and to be honest, that side course was a poor excuse for the actual sundae. Sorbet is just gross in general, and I'll take a Ben and Jerry's cup on DL over that. However, UA should really look into just covering up standard pre-made ice cream sundaes and serving them instead. We can't forget UA had a problem like this for a while and phased them out because the bowls broke after the Polaris launch though.
However another user said they miss sorbet on the HI flights and to be honest, that side course was a poor excuse for the actual sundae. Sorbet is just gross in general, and I'll take a Ben and Jerry's cup on DL over that. However, UA should really look into just covering up standard pre-made ice cream sundaes and serving them instead. We can't forget UA had a problem like this for a while and phased them out because the bowls broke after the Polaris launch though.
Sep 19, 2021, 12:28 am
#2150
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,514
Except UA's domestic competitors (AA and AS) have been better, and DL is now back to being competitive again (after its catering cuts). In my experience, UA's largest Achilles' heel is (lack of) consistency and trying to get the majority of the crew to actually giving a damn about their customers, regardless of GS or a general member, and everyone in between.
Sep 19, 2021, 12:58 am
#2151
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
Except UA's domestic competitors (AA and AS) have been better, and DL is now back to being competitive again (after its catering cuts). In my experience, UA's largest Achilles' heel is (lack of) consistency and trying to get the majority of the crew to actually giving a damn about their customers, regardless of GS or a general member, and everyone in between.
And American had its cutbacks too.
United is a great airline. I have flown several times this year and have arrived safely, with friendly service, and in comfort. They get the basic stuff right, which is what really matters.
Sep 19, 2021, 7:10 am
#2152
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
I love the grading on a curve here. Anyone outraged!!! at United should be outraged at Delta too. But the other airlines are nothing but tools to selectively invoke to condemn United for meaningless things like serving drinks in disposable cups.
And American had its cutbacks too.
United is a great airline. I have flown several times this year and have arrived safely, with friendly service, and in comfort. They get the basic stuff right, which is what really matters.
And American had its cutbacks too.
United is a great airline. I have flown several times this year and have arrived safely, with friendly service, and in comfort. They get the basic stuff right, which is what really matters.
Sep 19, 2021, 10:25 am
#2153
formerly 1984SW
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,058
I guess another option would have been to just toss all the glassware into the trash, too, but UA decided against that. 🙂
Sep 19, 2021, 12:13 pm
#2154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,514
I love the grading on a curve here. Anyone outraged!!! at United should be outraged at Delta too. But the other airlines are nothing but tools to selectively invoke to condemn United for meaningless things like serving drinks in disposable cups.
And American had its cutbacks too.
United is a great airline. I have flown several times this year and have arrived safely, with friendly service, and in comfort. They get the basic stuff right, which is what really matters.
And American had its cutbacks too.
United is a great airline. I have flown several times this year and have arrived safely, with friendly service, and in comfort. They get the basic stuff right, which is what really matters.
Sep 19, 2021, 3:15 pm
#2156
Join Date: Sep 2021
Programs: Delta Platinum, Hilton HHonors Silver, Hertz Gold Status.
Posts: 80
There's really nothing wrong with PDBs in plastic cups right now. Even DL doesn't offer them at the moment. "Covid Crutch" as I call it for F/A's not doing the work.
However another user said they miss sorbet on the HI flights and to be honest, that side course was a poor excuse for the actual sundae. Sorbet is just gross in general, and I'll take a Ben and Jerry's cup on DL over that. However, UA should really look into just covering up standard pre-made ice cream sundaes and serving them instead. We can't forget UA had a problem like this for a while and phased them out because the bowls broke after the Polaris launch though.
However another user said they miss sorbet on the HI flights and to be honest, that side course was a poor excuse for the actual sundae. Sorbet is just gross in general, and I'll take a Ben and Jerry's cup on DL over that. However, UA should really look into just covering up standard pre-made ice cream sundaes and serving them instead. We can't forget UA had a problem like this for a while and phased them out because the bowls broke after the Polaris launch though.
For the life of me, I still don't understand why both UA and DL eliminated both of their BOB programs (UA until recently). If it's covered up and wrapped, what's the harm? It's not like having wrappers coming out of a snack box and eaten on a tray table is sterile or something.
Last edited by J.Edward; Sep 20, 2021 at 3:55 pm Reason: thread topic clean up
Sep 19, 2021, 3:54 pm
#2157
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IAH & CMH
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Uber Platinum :)
Posts: 773
In the meantime, on LH in business I recently received a PDB and menu upon boarding, beverages served in glasses, warm nuts in a ramekin, my appetizer and meal plated attractively, two different types of bread, neither one in a cellophane wrapper, and was offered a cold and hot arrival meal also plated attractively.
If LH can do it, why can’t UA?
If LH can do it, why can’t UA?
As a GS I’ve added one UA TATL trip this fall to meet the 1K requirements for 280 Plus Points, but for the rest of my fall travel I’m getting better value / product / service by flying KLM / Lufthansa.
Until United Mgmt wake up and realize their business product isn’t competitive, they’re lengthening their road to recovery.
the ‘business travel is down’ argument must only apply to the big three US airlines…
and until they do so they’ll continue to lose business to their competitors.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 19, 2021 at 4:16 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
Sep 19, 2021, 4:06 pm
#2158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Some also prefer UA for lifetime miles and some do for PlusPoints, etc...
Although, to be honest, with the current service and business model of UA, United is very likely going to be a fake 5* airline in the Skytrax list like Lufthansa.
Sep 19, 2021, 4:29 pm
#2159
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
because UA don’t want to and some flyers are ok with that. If you point out the discrepancy you’ll eventually get the ‘foreign airlines are subsidized argument which conveniently overlooks the billions handed out to the US airlines, or the ‘if you don’t like it fly a different airline’ response.
As a GS I’ve added one UA TATL trip this fall to meet the 1K requirements for 280 Plus Points, but for the rest of my fall travel I’m getting better value / product / service by flying KLM / Lufthansa.
Until United Mgmt wake up and realize their business product isn’t competitive, they’re lengthening their road to recovery.
As a GS I’ve added one UA TATL trip this fall to meet the 1K requirements for 280 Plus Points, but for the rest of my fall travel I’m getting better value / product / service by flying KLM / Lufthansa.
Until United Mgmt wake up and realize their business product isn’t competitive, they’re lengthening their road to recovery.
Sep 19, 2021, 4:38 pm
#2160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,514
Except UA was hardly the leader (even in the US domestic carrier sense), or even close to being at the top on inflight services prior to Covid, during which period the carrier was raking in the cash, and made little to no effort to attend to its customers.