NikoLGA

Hello everyone.

I’ve taken four flights since the beverage service was reinstated in the beginning of July, and of the four flights, neither of them had the iconic Minute Maid Cran-Apple. Three of them had Cranberry Cocktail, with the last flight having no cranberry variety.

United’s website still lists, Cran Apple as an option (https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...beverages.html) but it looks like it has disappeared on-board.

Funny enough, if I was in a restaurant, and was presented with the option of cranberry juice or cran-apple, I would certainly get plain Cranberry, but for some reason, the Cranberry juice onboard the flights I took tasted inferior to the Cran Apple that I’ve had for years. The Tomato Juice paradox, I guess!

Obviously, this is the least of anyone’s problems nowadays, but it was still a surprise. Anything we can attribute this to?

COSPILOT

If it makes you feel better, I can’t find caffeine free Pepsi at any store on Maui, but apparently Coke offers a caffeine free option. I’m sort of thankful for what I can get, and what little UA offers at the moment just seems to not concern me when I fly again. COVID-19 has totally changed me and my petty complaints of past seem so insignificant now.

DELee

Too many people making "Pandemic Panics"?

David

NikoLGA

Ha. There’s definitely a bit of satire in this post. Obviously the least of my concerns in this absurd year.

I do have a genuine curiosity if Minute Maid (Coca Cola) stopped manufacturing the product, or what not, though.

JAaronT

Coke has been having some major supply issues lately. I can't find Sprite Zero or Cherry Coke Zero anywhere.

WineCountryUA

Supply chain issues are fairly common nowadays. Grocery stores seem to still be having trouble keeping items in stock. Been in Lowe's and Home Depot recently and on-hand stock in some areas was sparse. So with no inside info, seems my experiences and that of a few other posters suggest spot outages are still a real issue.

bocastephen

Kirby Kutbacks

COSPILOT

With all do respect I visit the grocery stores (actually three) with an open mind now. I sort of hit each aisle and say yep, I can make that work, or even I don’t need it now, but will next week. It’s a game of expiration dates and what I want, or thought I wanted. My closet store is often out of my favorite wine or beer.

I’m not annoyed with them, it’s simply something I’ve gotten used to. I normally agree with you even if I don’t hit “like”, but I’m giving all airlines and pretty much all things a huge pass at the moment, or maybe that’s unique to where I currently live. I’ve never liked UA Service on red eye flights pre Covid-19, now I’ll just eat before hand and attempt to sleep, happy to not have a flight cancellation. Maybe I’m a sheep in doing so, but I want the most direct flight and UA is it.

WineCountryUA

A couple of quick searches for "minute maid cranberry apple juice", "minute maid cranberry apple can", "minute maid cranberry apple cocktail" on Google Shopping or Amazon, finds no offerings.

Appears it has never been available in stores, https://www.change.org/p/coca-cola-m...for-air-travel

Seems to be a niche product and with drop of air travel may have been dropped.

SPN Lifer

Is United now serving Mr. T's Bloody Mary Mix?

I usually drink it straight-up, no ice. Flight attendants generally gave me the whole can, through February 2020.

goodeats21

Sprite Zero was scarce for a bit in my grocery in Ohio, but has since made a comeback and is readily available here again.

Now if we can just get it back on United flights....

LimeyFlyer

My local home depot is out of bird seed. Why people would eat that stuff I don't know. Maybe it tastes like muesli.

seanp7

Sprite Zero is everywhere here in NYC. <shrug>

I will miss the Cran-Apple if this is permanent. I usually get that as a PDB - with a cheeky nip of vodka - or as my free drink in Y

expert7700

The issue is the aluminum can shortage

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money...19/5443308002/

Coke is prioritizing its main products. Coke Zero cans been have been out of stock at Costco and Sams for the first time in 10 yeayear

Coca Cola's main Twitter account responded to customers who couldn't find niche products such as Cherry Coke Zero and Pibb.

"We are working to have more stocked for you on the shelves ASAP," the company said.

PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta told analysts in a conference call Monday that the company "made some choices in our supply chain" to "eliminate the less" popular items in its lineup for now.

geckoflyer

Not my cran-apple! Now what do I mix with my vodka on early morning flights???