2022 Let's Eat - United First, United Business, & Premium Transcon Service
Jun 26, 2022, 1:33 pm
#976
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,619
Guava cheesecake in any form is generally a wonderful thing - and even mashed ube, if seasoned correctly, can be good - but cheesecake with a vegan meal is likely a problem 
Looking at the photos, the "schnitzel" looks somewhat promising, after all, anything deep fried must be good, right? But serving it as a solid, inedible slab is something that is so easy to prevent with a little forethought and zero cost.
In 25 years of flying with Continental and now United as a top tier elite, I have always been addressed as "Mr", even when my last name has been mangled (which is fine), or received no greeting at all - so I would most certainly object to being called guy, buddy, pal, hey-you, whatdyawant, or any other such greeting. If it's really that difficult for a crew member to utter the words "Mr." or "Ms" with a last name, they are certainly in the wrong business, or have not been properly trained. This is not Arby's.
Looking at the photos, the "schnitzel" looks somewhat promising, after all, anything deep fried must be good, right? But serving it as a solid, inedible slab is something that is so easy to prevent with a little forethought and zero cost.
In 25 years of flying with Continental and now United as a top tier elite, I have always been addressed as "Mr", even when my last name has been mangled (which is fine), or received no greeting at all - so I would most certainly object to being called guy, buddy, pal, hey-you, whatdyawant, or any other such greeting. If it's really that difficult for a crew member to utter the words "Mr." or "Ms" with a last name, they are certainly in the wrong business, or have not been properly trained. This is not Arby's.
I have even gotten, "whatdyawant" on a PMUA International First Class flight with no menu to provide an answer.
When I said I don't have a menu the FA replies, this is airline food, we have the usual suspects, Beef, Chicken,Fish and a Pasta, "whatdyawant". I asked how the Beef was prepared and the answer of the century, "it's cooked, whatdyawant."
Jun 27, 2022, 9:13 pm
#977
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: CLE (mostly)
Programs: UA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Mlife Gold, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 823
The Mrs and I are both mid/late-30s, and the GS and wife didn't seem to be significantly older- perhaps early/mid-40s.
Not that it did any good- I was told there weren't any other meal options available (including any of the items usually for sale in Y, like the Brioche Burger) so I ended up with a Tapas box as the only food for the 7h between meal service and pre-arrival snack.
I was quite surprised that the pre-arrival snack was... A Burger.
Last edited by Wooglin; Jun 27, 2022 at 9:24 pm
Jun 27, 2022, 9:36 pm
#978
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold, PF Chang's Warrior, Wine Century 100
Posts: 1,104
MCO-CLE, June 26, 12:05 pm departure, 737-800
Received preorder notification in the UA app at T-5 days with a choice of Impossible Meatballs or the Zaatar Chicken.
PDB offer of water, OJ. No offer for something from the bar.
FA came around to take meal and drink orders and noted my preorder of the Zaatar Chicken.
To the other pax she offered the Vegetarian Polenta Thing or the Chicken. Not sure what happened to the Impossible Meatballs...
Wine served briefly before the lunch service, and refilled often. Line39 Chardonnay for anybody who cares ($10 a bottle retail)
The Zaatar chicken pieces were chopped really small. I expected more from the pics on this thread. However, it was tasty and a decent meal for a 2 hour flight.
Pie in the Sky was warmed.
Received preorder notification in the UA app at T-5 days with a choice of Impossible Meatballs or the Zaatar Chicken.
PDB offer of water, OJ. No offer for something from the bar.
FA came around to take meal and drink orders and noted my preorder of the Zaatar Chicken.
To the other pax she offered the Vegetarian Polenta Thing or the Chicken. Not sure what happened to the Impossible Meatballs...
Wine served briefly before the lunch service, and refilled often. Line39 Chardonnay for anybody who cares ($10 a bottle retail)
The Zaatar chicken pieces were chopped really small. I expected more from the pics on this thread. However, it was tasty and a decent meal for a 2 hour flight.
Pie in the Sky was warmed.
Jun 27, 2022, 9:54 pm
#979
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,025
I can only imagine it was because the pax behind was GS- they boarded late due to a tight connection and they were greeted as Mr and Mrs X, with a "thank you for your loyalty" from the FA.
The Mrs and I are both mid/late-30s, and the GS and wife didn't seem to be significantly older- perhaps early/mid-40s.
Oh, I did.
Not that it did any good- I was told there weren't any other meal options available (including any of the items usually for sale in Y, like the Brioche Burger) so I ended up with a Tapas box as the only food for the 7h between meal service and pre-arrival snack.
I was quite surprised that the pre-arrival snack was... A Burger.
The Mrs and I are both mid/late-30s, and the GS and wife didn't seem to be significantly older- perhaps early/mid-40s.
Oh, I did.
Not that it did any good- I was told there weren't any other meal options available (including any of the items usually for sale in Y, like the Brioche Burger) so I ended up with a Tapas box as the only food for the 7h between meal service and pre-arrival snack.
I was quite surprised that the pre-arrival snack was... A Burger.
As a GS, I can assure you that I am rarely addressed by name these days, and even then it’s done once, squinting at the screen. Lately, “Buddy” has been used a lot, which I really dislike. Having flown on carriers recently where I have zero status, I’ve been addressed by name and treated very well.
On a recent UA flight, the same guy/gal was used throughout the flight - something that the passenger next to me was upset about as their pronouns didn’t match either - this is something UA is so focused on I’m surprised it’s still happening with rogue FAs.
I was told this week that by Fall pre-order will be available for almost all domestic flights, avoiding you the unidentifiable meal you ended up with, and the FAs the stress.
Jun 28, 2022, 2:42 am
#980
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,751
Quick report that I preordered the Falafel Bowl on a recent DEN-SFO dinner service and it was not catered. To her credit moments before landing the FA came by and asked me to input my email address into her iPhone so a USD50 travel credit could be sent to me. Odd that she needed my email address - at first thought it wasn't tied to my M+ account, yet the next time I logged on I got a message reminding me I had a $50 travel credit and urging me to spend it.
Jun 28, 2022, 10:20 am
#981
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,016
Quick report that I preordered the Falafel Bowl on a recent DEN-SFO dinner service and it was not catered. To her credit moments before landing the FA came by and asked me to input my email address into her iPhone so a USD50 travel credit could be sent to me. Odd that she needed my email address - at first thought it wasn't tied to my M+ account, yet the next time I logged on I got a message reminding me I had a $50 travel credit and urging me to spend it.
Jun 28, 2022, 10:31 am
#982
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,457
So for "snack" listed flights in UX in first class (that are listed as meal in mainline), it is often snack box or chicken z? I can't determine if the chicken z is heated or served cold.
Last edited by CApreppie; Jun 28, 2022 at 10:45 am
Jun 28, 2022, 10:53 am
#983
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: United 1K/*G, HHonors Platinum
Posts: 141
Zaatar Chicken dish is served warm but it depends on the crew and their definition of warm. I liked it on our recent LAX-MIA trip but my wife did not. She preferred the Impossible Meatballs.
Jun 28, 2022, 10:54 am
#984
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA 1K, DL Platinum, BA Gold
Posts: 181
From my experience, UX flights over 800 miles are catered with either the cold zatar chicken or the cheese tray (pre packaged) plus they have a fruit bowl and the pie in the sky. I would assume you could order the snack box from the back if neither of the options suited you.
Jun 28, 2022, 11:16 am
#985
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: 66,783
Jun 28, 2022, 11:20 am
#986
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,457
Wonder what cold chicken z tastes like...
If I had a warm choice, I'd likely choose the impossible meatballs as I have liked impossible burgers first, then would try chicken z the next time.
If I had a warm choice, I'd likely choose the impossible meatballs as I have liked impossible burgers first, then would try chicken z the next time.
Jun 28, 2022, 11:28 am
#987
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,092
I guess it's somewhat encouraging that all the chicken dishes described over the last few weeks seem to be real chicken breast meat, and not chopped formed chicken scraps.
Jun 29, 2022, 8:25 am
#988
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM/AA Gold & 1MM/HH Gold/Marriott Titanium
Posts: 2,920
Flew DCA-ORD on A319, 0759 departure, and nothing at all served except drinks. Shouldn't there at least be a Biscoff or stroopwafel?! I got more in coach on AA and WN last week on 1 hour flights!
Jun 29, 2022, 9:50 am
#989
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
For whatever reason United has been reluctant to bring back the snack basket. RDU-ORD is even longer and if you either get the pandemic bags with a bottle of water, Stroop/Biscoff and pretzels or nothing.
Jun 29, 2022, 9:53 am
#990
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
David
Last edited by DELee; Jun 29, 2022 at 7:37 pm