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Old May 12, 2021, 2:34 pm
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United Expands Beer, Wine and Snacks to Nearly All Flights Over Two Hours

Starting in June, White Claw® Hard Seltzer, beer, wine and all-new snack menu items will be available for purchase using United's contactless payment technology
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CHICAGO, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting June 1, United customers on most flights over two hours will be able to purchase beer, wine and White Claw® Hard Seltzer, making United the first major airline to offer the hard seltzer onboard its aircraft. On June 15, United will introduce a revamped menu of for-purchase snacks and brand-new premium cabin meal options on most flights over 1,500 miles and hub-to-hub flights over 800 miles or more than two hours. Customers will be able to purchase these offerings from the Buy-On-Board menu using United's new mobile wallet technology.



"We know that having a wide variety of gourmet food and beverage options is important to our customers and we look forward to introducing these exciting, new options to enhance their flying experience," said Toby Enqvist, chief customer officer for United. "Our new contactless payment technology enables us to safely introduce this new menu on select flights as we continue to see more customer return to flying."

New Adult Beverage Menu

United's revamped adult beverage menu features a number of options sourced locally from United's hubs, along with customer favorites from iconic brands. The new menu includes:
  • White Claw® Mango
  • Breckenridge Brewery Juice Drop Hazy IPA
  • Kona Brewing Co. Big Wave Golden Ale
  • Michelob ULTRA®
  • Stella Artois®
  • Red, white and sparkling wine options
New Snack Boxes

United's new snack boxes offer three distinct experiences for travelers of all ages and tastes:
  • Tapas Box: Hummus, bruschetta, breadstick crackers, flatbread crackers, sea salt almonds, olives, dark chocolate sea salt caramel
  • Takeoff Box: Salami, apricots, gouda cheese spread, white cheddar cheese spread, multigrain crackers, cream crackers, smoked almonds, Toblerone®
  • Recline Box: Pirate's Booty® white cheddar puffs, honey mustard pretzels, gummi bears, OREO® cookies
New A la Carte Options

In addition to the popular Pringles® Classic potato chips, United is adding three new a la carte snacks to its menu to give customers a larger variety of options, including high-protein and gluten-free options. The revamped menu includes:
  • Trü Frü Banana Bites: hyper-dried bananas covered in dark chocolate
  • Food Should Taste Good™ Chips & Salsa Box: gluten-free, sweet potato "tortilla" chips with roasted pepper salsa
  • GourmetNut Mega Omega Trail Mix: snack mix with walnuts, dried mango, almonds, cranberries, pumpkin seeds
How Contactless Payment Works:

To purchase select drinks and snack items onboard a flight, United's contactless payment system allows customers to store their payment information in a digital wallet on the United app and on United.com prior to departure.
  • Once in flight, customers can access a menu to view available items either on the United app and in Hemispheres.
  • Rather than handing the flight attendant a credit card, the flight attendant will ask for the customer's name and seat to confirm the card on file.
  • Once confirmed, customers will receive their products and the card on file will be charged accordingly.
For information on snacks available for purchase and step-by-step instructions on how to store a payment method and FAQs, visit United.com/snacktime.

New Domestic Premium Cabin Menu Items

United is also introducing brand-new meal offerings to customers seated in domestic premium cabins on flights over 1,500 miles and hub-to-hub flights over 800 miles. The enhanced meal service includes a choice of entrees – including fresher options like egg scramble with plant-based chorizo and grilled chicken breast with orzo and lemon basil pesto – sides and dessert. United has also partnered with Eli's Cheesecake to create a uniquely United chocolate pie flavor called "Pie in the Sky." The meals will be served on one tray, with items individually wrapped, to limit person-to-person contact and further the safety of our employees and customers.


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June15 UA resumes plated domestic F meals;alcohol for sale in Y;Contactless Payment

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Old May 12, 2021, 12:39 pm
  #1  
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June15 UA resumes plated domestic F meals;alcohol for sale in Y;Contactless Payment

Glad to see UA finally bringing hot meals back on hub to hubs over 2 hours or 1500+ mile flights as of 6/15
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Old May 12, 2021, 1:00 pm
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United’s bringing back plated meal service in domestic first class

https://thepointsguy.com/news/united...1p2tIigH7OxDok

United’s bringing back plated meal service in domestic first class

Premium-cabin passengers traveling with United this summer are in for a big (culinary) upgrade.

On Wednesday, United announced that it’s bringing back plated meal service for domestic first-class flyers starting on June 15.

The new meals will include a choice of entrees, as well as a side dish and dessert. United teased some of the menu items in its announcement, including:
  • Breakfast: Egg scramble with plant-based chorizo OR Belgium waffle with bourbon berry compote, served with a side of a peach-flavored Greek yogurt parfait.
  • Lunch/dinner: grilled chicken breast with orzo and lemon basil pesto OR vegetarian enchilada with chile verde, served with a side of Spanish rice.
For dessert, United’s partnering with Chicago-based Eli’s Cheesecake on a chocolate pie flavor called “Pie in the Sky.”

To minimize contact and promote safety, all meals will be served individually wrapped on one tray. First-class passengers can also enjoy a full selection of complimentary beverages, including new alcoholic options, like mango-flavored White Claw or Breckenridge Brewery Juice Drop Hazy IPA.

When the new meals launch on June 15, they’ll exclusively be available in the forward cabin on domestic routes over 1,500 miles and on hub-to-hub flights over 800 miles or two hours or longer. United’s seven domestic hubs are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO) and Washington Dulles (IAD).

United didn’t have any pictures to share of the new meals, but they’ll almost certainly be an upgrade compared to the snack boxes and hot sandwiches that are currently offered on select routes.

These sandwiches have received poor reviews from both readers and TPG reporters alike. On a recent United flight from Chicago (ORD) to Bozeman (BZN), TPG’s Zach Honig
the 650-calorie carved chicken sandwich, only to find it filled with more cheese than chicken.

When United reintroduces first-class meals, it’ll become the first of the Big 3 U.S. airlines to do so. American serves fresh snacks and light bites in the forward cabin, while Delta only offers pre-packaged snack boxes, though the Atlanta-based carrier is planning to offer fresh boxed meals beginning in early July, with more details to come.

Related: Here’s what food and drinks you can expect on your next flight

First-class passengers aren’t the only ones receiving a meal upgrade — United’s also expanding its buy-on-board alcohol and snack program to even more domestic flights this summer.

Starting June 1, coach passengers on flights over 800 miles will be able to purchase any of the following:
  • White Claw Mango ($8)
  • Breckenridge Brewery Juice Drop Hazy IPA ($8)
  • Kona Brewing Co. Big Wave Golden Ale ($8)
  • Michelob Ultra ($8)
  • Stella Artois ($8)
  • Red, white and sparkling wine options ($9)
Roughly two weeks later, on June 15, United will then expand its for-purchase snack options for flights of similar length, including:
  • Pringles ($4)
  • Trü Frü Banana Bites ($5)
  • Food Should Taste Good Chips & Salsa ($5)
  • GourmetNut Mega Omega Trail Mix ($5)
  • Tapas ($10), Takeoff ($10) or Recline ($8) snack box
Previously, these snacks and drinks were only available on select premium transcon routes and on flights to Hawaii.

As United expands its revamped dining offerings, the carrier will exclusively accept contactless payment through the United app.

When the flight attendant passes by your row, you’ll be asked if you want to purchase a snack or drink. If you do, the crew will pull up your profile on a mobile tablet and charge your stored payment method. Receipts will be emailed, keeping the purchase process completely touchless — in line with guidance from the Cleveland Clinic.

Top-tier Premier 1K and invite-only Global Services members seated in coach will continue to receive a complimentary snack box and alcoholic drink, subject to availability.
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Old May 12, 2021, 1:11 pm
  #3  
 
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What a welcome change! Hats off to United for leading the way with an elevated in-flight experience!
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Old May 12, 2021, 1:15 pm
  #4  
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Well GS and 1Ks at least get (some of) the free alcoholic beverage back in coach. No mention of a return of the BoB cheeseburger (or any other heated option)...

The Big Wave Golden Ale is pretty good. I hope it's on board next time I'm in coach on a qualifying flight.
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Old May 12, 2021, 1:17 pm
  #5  
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I guess ORD-EWR won't make the cut.
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Old May 12, 2021, 1:28 pm
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Originally Posted by ORDnHKG
I guess ORD-EWR won't make the cut.
neither will IAD-EWR, IAD-ORD nor LAX-SFO 😜
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Old May 12, 2021, 1:34 pm
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Originally Posted by ORDnHKG
I guess ORD-EWR won't make the cut.
Perhaps they’ll maintain/reinstate “exception routes”?
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Old May 12, 2021, 1:49 pm
  #8  
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Since United has some internal confusion regarding Canada, I wonder if it's considered "domestic" for these purposes. I guess I'll found out on YVR-ORD at the end of August.
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Old May 12, 2021, 2:22 pm
  #9  
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What is the logic of no spirits in economy? Is giving a 1K a mini of vodka too costly versus the bathtub wine they serve?
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Old May 12, 2021, 2:31 pm
  #10  
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Originally Posted by unitedbusiness
What a welcome change! Hats off to United for leading the way with an elevated in-flight experience!
I'm sorry, leading what? Delta announced they were bringing back food on board weeks ago. United is late to the party.

Granted, it's a welcome change and I have been wondering for a long time when this would happen. Can't wait to get back to eating these hyper-calorie "meals"

-RM
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Old May 12, 2021, 2:40 pm
  #11  
 
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So this means BoB will come back to Y flights over 1500miles, just waiting for hot options in Y now.
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Old May 12, 2021, 3:01 pm
  #12  
 
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Does "or more than two hours" apply to hub-hub flights or all domestic?
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Old May 12, 2021, 3:16 pm
  #13  
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Originally Posted by Doppy
What is the logic of no spirits in economy? Is giving a 1K a mini of vodka too costly versus the bathtub wine they serve?
"To reduce contact points", since the FA will need to deal with 3 elements - the mini, mixer, and cup with ice.

Originally Posted by RobOnLI
I'm sorry, leading what? Delta announced they were bringing back food on board weeks ago. United is late to the party.

Granted, it's a welcome change and I have been wondering for a long time when this would happen. Can't wait to get back to eating these hyper-calorie "meals"

-RM
Delta is only bringing hot food back for Delta One and transcon routes. UA will be offering hot food on more flights, including those dreaded hot sandwich/snack box mid-con flights.
ORDnHKG and unitedbusiness like this.
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Old May 12, 2021, 3:17 pm
  #14  
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Originally Posted by eng3
Does "or more than two hours" apply to hub-hub flights or all domestic?
I believe hub to hub only. to my understanding, the rest of the non-hub-hub routes that are over 2 hours but less than 1500 miles will continue to get tapas/heart attack sandwich. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Old May 12, 2021, 3:29 pm
  #15  
 
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Originally Posted by unitedbusiness
Hats off to United for leading the way with an elevated in-flight experience!
Originally Posted by RobOnLI
I'm sorry, leading what? Delta announced they were bringing back food on board weeks ago. United is late to the party.
And AS is already reintroducing regular meals to more routes later this month.
econ is offline  


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