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}
Jan 1, 2021, 7:59 pm
#1201
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Jan 2, 2021, 3:12 pm
#1202
Join Date: Nov 2020
Programs: UA1K, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 10
UA to FRA and LH back to EWR
Flew UA before Christmas from EWR to FRA in Polaris. The food was abomination - braised beef with white rice and mixed vegetables from the frozen food section. Limited to no refills on beverages. Came back on LH in C and the catering was basically unchanged in terms of choices and quality. Attentive service and refill.
Jan 2, 2021, 5:54 pm
#1203
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 583
I recently flew MIA-LAX in J on AA. Wow, was that a 180 in service from what UA is offering in premium transcon (I have flown UA EWR-LAX several times during pandemic). Excellent food and service throughout on AA.
Ignoring that half of my recent UA flights have had extreme delays due to operational/mechanical issues, the entire UA travel experience is at the bottom of line below AA, DL, and AS—I have flown all of them this year.
UA needs to get it together. They can pack planes but can’t serve real food? I would have more respect for UA if it came out and called itself a budget airline already.
Ignoring that half of my recent UA flights have had extreme delays due to operational/mechanical issues, the entire UA travel experience is at the bottom of line below AA, DL, and AS—I have flown all of them this year.
UA needs to get it together. They can pack planes but can’t serve real food? I would have more respect for UA if it came out and called itself a budget airline already.
Jan 2, 2021, 6:00 pm
#1204
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Emphasis is mine. I respectfully disagree with your stance on DL. I flew my first UA flight ever last week in F, and it greatly surpassed any recent F experiences I’ve had on DL. This was just a 1hr flight, and the FAs did multiple drink runs. I was able to get a drink with ice! Now, I haven’t done any longer flights on UA yet, but I don’t think they’re at the bottom regarding their current service levels.
Jan 2, 2021, 6:03 pm
#1205
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: ORD
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 211
I wouldn't even say it's limited to up front. Not familiar with how the two compare on longer routes, but UA seems to be the only legacy who is doing a full drink service in economy. I think AA is only upon request, and DL (and WN) only serves water.
Jan 2, 2021, 6:30 pm
#1206
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 410
I am viewing it from an overall perspective. DL has maintained its stance of safety by limiting service but blocks middle seats and limits capacity in F. Im contrast, UA packs full flights and still has limited service. I would buy my own Diet Coke at the airport if I knew I wouldn’t have to sit next to someone.
Jan 2, 2021, 7:57 pm
#1207
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SRQ, PDX
Programs: UA 1 MM, AA, DL
Posts: 930
I am viewing it from an overall perspective. DL has maintained its stance of safety by limiting service but blocks middle seats and limits capacity in F. Im contrast, UA packs full flights and still has limited service. I would buy my own Diet Coke at the airport if I knew I wouldn’t have to sit next to someone.
Jan 2, 2021, 8:04 pm
#1208
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Honestly if social distancing is a priority you’ve got to fly private. As much as Delta likes to market their flights as being socially distanced, you’re still well within 6 feet of other passengers.
Jan 2, 2021, 8:12 pm
#1209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Jan 3, 2021, 1:30 pm
#1210
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
UA at least is making an effort to provide decent inflight service and if you get any plane with the new Polaris hard product, you definitely feel better distance from your fellow flyers than DL's 763s
Jan 3, 2021, 1:38 pm
#1211
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Flew UA before Christmas from EWR to FRA in Polaris. The food was abomination - braised beef with white rice and mixed vegetables from the frozen food section. Limited to no refills on beverages. Came back on LH in C and the catering was basically unchanged in terms of choices and quality. Attentive service and refill.
Jan 3, 2021, 6:18 pm
#1212
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
1/2 UA GSO-IAD CRJ-200: Water for all passengers. That wasn't something you could count on in 2019 so 
1/2 UA IAD-EWR 737-900: Water for all F passengers, nothing for Y. If I wanted just water in F I'd fly Delta so
1/2 UA IAD-EWR 737-900: Water for all F passengers, nothing for Y. If I wanted just water in F I'd fly Delta so
Last edited by CMK10; Jan 3, 2021 at 8:44 pm
Jan 3, 2021, 6:33 pm
#1213
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,753
Jan 7, 2021, 4:24 pm
#1214
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: ORD, MCO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 271
I was pleasantly surprised with the food options in F from CVG to DEN (E175 aircraft). We were given the regular packaged snack plus the snack box + drinks etc. I was expecting just the snack box which is what I got from EWR to MCO on a 737-800
Jan 9, 2021, 9:38 am
#1215
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,025
My PQP/PQF totals reset to zero overnight and got this when I checked my account. I'm looking forward to the results of "Every day, we're dedicated to transforming and elevating your travel experience". They've already done the "transform" to in-flight services in the last 9 months - they need to concentrate on the "elevating" in-flight services now...
