Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > United Airlines | MileagePlus
Reload this Page >

General discussion of UA's inflight service (Domestic / Int’l, all cabins) {Archive}

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old May 11, 2022, 1:38 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This us an archive thread, the active thread is General discussion of UA's inflight service (Domestic / International, all cabins)
previous thread: COVID Era UA inflight service changes


Thread is for general discussion of the state of UA in-flight service / catering, comparison to other carriers, past UA offerings and concerns with management decisions.

For a specific post about a recent in-flight food, use the appropriate Let's Eat .... thread.

The current Onboard Service descriptions by UA.com

Long-haul international premium cabin dining
North America, Caribbean and Latin America premium cabin dining
United Economy dining

Since the UA website is extremely vague, I'm looking for a few volunteers to submit data, and I will summarize to complete the wiki. kind regards, phkc070408

Domestic Under 300 Miles

Sample 1
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Bagged Snack? Yes/No
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?

Sample 2
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Bagged Snack? Yes/No
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?

Sample 3
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Bagged Snack? Yes/No
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?

Sample 4
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Bagged Snack? Yes/No
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?

Sample 5
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Bagged Snack? Yes/No
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?


Domestic Over 300 Miles Under 800 Miles

Sample 1
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Bagged Snack? Yes/No
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?

Sample 2
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Bagged Snack? Yes/No
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?

Sample 3
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Bagged Snack? Yes/No
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?

Sample 4
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Bagged Snack? Yes/No
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?

Sample 5
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Bagged Snack? Yes/No
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?

Domestic Over 800 Miles

Sample 1
Route? Morning or Afternoon or Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?
Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Snack Basket?

Sample 2
Route? Morning or Afternoon or Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?
Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Snack Basket?

Sample 3
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening/. or Late Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?
Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Snack Basket?

Sample 4
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening or Late Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?
Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Snack Basket?

Sample 5
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening or Late Evening?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Served Snacked? Yes/No. Hot/Cold. What was offered?
Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Snack Basket?

P-Tcon

Sample 1
Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening or Red-Eye?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Snack Basket/Pre-Arrival?
Any other notes of relevance?

​​​​​​​Sample 2
​​​​​​​Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening or Red-Eye?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Snack Basket/Pre-Arrival?
Any other notes of relevance?

​​​​​​​Sample 3
​​​​​​​Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening or Red-Eye?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Snack Basket/Pre-Arrival?
Any other notes of relevance?

​​​​​​​Sample 4
​​​​​​​Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening or Red-Eye?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Snack Basket/Pre-Arrival?
Any other notes of relevance?

​​​​​​​Sample 5
​​​​​​​Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening or Red-Eye?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Snack Basket/Pre-Arrival?
Any other notes of relevance?

Polaris USA - Europe

​​​​​​​Sample 1
​​​​​​​Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening or Red-Eye?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Menu?
Hot Towels?
First Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Appetizer / Desert Info:
Snack Basket/Mid-Flight Snack?
Arrival Meal? Short Description.
Any other notes of relevance?

​​​​​​​Sample 2
​​​​​​​Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening or Red-Eye?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Menu?
​​​​​​​Hot Towels?
First Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Appetizer / Desert Info:
Snack Basket/Mid-Flight Snack?
Arrival Meal? Short Description.
Any other notes of relevance?

​​​​​​​Sample 3
​​​​​​​Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening or Red-Eye?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Menu?
​​​​​​​Hot Towels?
First Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Appetizer / Desert Info:
Snack Basket/Mid-Flight Snack?
Arrival Meal? Short Description.
Any other notes of relevance?

​​​​​​​Sample 4
​​​​​​​Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening or Red-Eye?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Menu?
​​​​​​​Hot Towels?
First Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Appetizer / Desert Info:
Snack Basket/Mid-Flight Snack?
Arrival Meal? Short Description.
Any other notes of relevance?

​​​​​​​Sample 5
​​​​​​​Route? Morning or Afternoon/Evening or Red-Eye?
PDB - Yes/No? What was offered?
Menu?
​​​​​​​Hot Towels?
First Meal Served? Yes/No. Short description.
Appetizer / Desert Info:
Snack Basket/Mid-Flight Snack?
Arrival Meal? Short Description.
Any other notes of relevance?

Related thread: How bad does onboard catering need to get before UA invests in improving it?
​​​​​​​

Print Wikipost

General discussion of UA's inflight service (Domestic / Int’l, all cabins) {Archive}

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 1, 2022, 5:01 pm
  #1291  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,193
Originally Posted by bmwe92fan
Id take a Hampton Inn Breakfast and a Chick-Fil-A sandwich ANY day now over the "food" we are served now on UA on a $7k ticket....
Especially if they put those Hampton waffle machines in the galleys. Beware the batter spillage though
MatthewLAX and IndyHoosier like this.
uastarflyer is online now  
Old Aug 1, 2022, 5:13 pm
  #1292  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,350
Originally Posted by uastarflyer
Especially if they put those Hampton waffle machines in the galleys. Beware the batter spillage though
Trick is to pour it nice and slow -- pull it out a few seconds early -- add some butter and syrup and enjoy! I would kill for that on a UA flight!
uastarflyer likes this.
bmwe92fan is online now  
Old Aug 2, 2022, 8:08 am
  #1293  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,625
Originally Posted by coplatsat
Yes I am-good read.
I read the book a number of years ago and it is a good read.

I really wish that he was running UA.
kmersh is offline  
Old Aug 2, 2022, 8:33 am
  #1294  
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,519
Originally Posted by seanp7
There was nothing premium about this flight.
But you got a great hard product,, and an unparalleled route network, and if your employer has a contract your employer saved money, and you can bring your own food on board, and blah blah blah.

Yes,,the current on-board Polaris food offering is terrible. End of discussion.
st530 is offline  
Old Aug 2, 2022, 10:07 am
  #1295  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA
Posts: 101
Originally Posted by st530
But you got a great hard product,, and an unparalleled route network, and if your employer has a contract your employer saved money, and you can bring your own food on board, and blah blah blah.

Yes,,the current on-board Polaris food offering is terrible. End of discussion.
For the premium UA charges the hard product is just not enough to justify the cost. Not everyone's employer has a contract and not everyone is flying on other people's money. Life is probably mostly good for a GS like you, but for people who don't know what they are getting and make the mistake spending their money for a premium product they are in for a significant let down.

As an example; I'm flying to Dubai in a few months. I can fly UA to FRA and then LH to DXB for $13,000 or fly Qatar to DOH to DXB for $5,000. No-brainer if you don't care about UA miles.
Jaysonb22 is offline  
Old Aug 2, 2022, 10:27 am
  #1296  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,337
Originally Posted by st530
But you got a great hard product,, and an unparalleled route network, and if your employer has a contract your employer saved money, and you can bring your own food on board, and blah blah blah.

Yes,,the current on-board Polaris food offering is terrible. End of discussion.
I hope you are being a little tongue-in-cheek. My comment was in the context of this thread, which is specifically about *checks notes* Polaris Business food. What you mentioned is off-topic and I hope "End of discussion" isn't a call to suppress opinions on FT...
seanp7 is online now  
Old Aug 2, 2022, 10:39 am
  #1297  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,497
Originally Posted by seanp7
I hope you are being a little tongue-in-cheek. My comment was in the context of this thread, which is specifically about *checks notes* Polaris Business food. What you mentioned is off-topic and I hope "End of discussion" isn't a call to suppress opinions on FT...
I think that was clearly tongue-in-cheek — noting some of the typical 'defences' for the current, indefensible catering standard.
fumje is offline  
Old Aug 2, 2022, 11:59 am
  #1298  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,093
Originally Posted by nyr2299
I will likely get over the line for GS next trip. After that, I think im going to try KLM or Lufthansa to Europe. Its just getting painful...
Just for comparison, here is my AF lunch westbound transatlantic from last month. All excellent. Looking forward to flying them again later this month.


Starter

Duck Lasagna

Cheese course

Dessert

Menu

Wines
IndyHoosier likes this.
Artpen100 is offline  
Old Aug 2, 2022, 12:16 pm
  #1299  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,044
Found the UA wine list:
IndyHoosier and esquiar like this.
IAH-OIL-TRASH is offline  
Old Aug 2, 2022, 12:21 pm
  #1300  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,715
Originally Posted by Artpen100
Just for comparison, here is my AF lunch westbound transatlantic from last month. All excellent. Looking forward to flying them again later this month.


Starter

Duck Lasagna

Cheese course

Dessert

Menu

Wines
Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH
Found the UA wine list:
Sacre bleu!
IndyHoosier likes this.
kirkwoodj is offline  
Old Aug 2, 2022, 12:50 pm
  #1301  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Originally Posted by Artpen100
Just for comparison, here is my AF lunch westbound transatlantic from last month. All excellent. Looking forward to flying them again later this month.



While I'm glad that works for you and the French - I won't eat Foie Gras (or want to patronize places that serve it) - don't eat Veal or Duck - and previously frozen fish is off the table for me. I'd be happier grabbing a ham and cheese baguette in the terminal to take with me - I'd try the cheese - might try a bite of dessert - I would check out the wine.
HNLbasedFlyer is offline  
Old Aug 2, 2022, 2:36 pm
  #1302  
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,519
Originally Posted by seanp7
I hope you are being a little tongue-in-cheek. My comment was in the context of this thread, which is specifically about *checks notes* Polaris Business food. What you mentioned is off-topic and I hope "End of discussion" isn't a call to suppress opinions on FT...
Tongue firmly in cheek. The current offering is embarrassing. Friend just sent me this EWR-NRT. UA can’t even offer a dumbed-down Japanese option?


IndyHoosier likes this.

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 2, 2022 at 4:02 pm Reason: repaired quote
st530 is offline  
Old Aug 3, 2022, 3:26 am
  #1303  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,358
Just recapping all the eliminated Polaris onboard F&B offerings since the introduction back in December 2016 (labled as gamechanger at the time by United PR):
  1. Pre-departure chocalate served with specially made drink glass and plate
  2. Wine tasting and wine selection
  3. Bloody Mary Cart
  4. Perrier and San Pellegreno sparking water
  5. Appetizers (seared tuna, shrimp, smoke duck etcs are all gone)
  6. Choice of bread items presented in a basket
  7. Scaled down menu (Thai Chicken Noodle, Pork Chop, etc. are gone)
  8. Choices of various sweet desert pastries (apple pies, caramel brownies, macoroons
  9. Fruit and cheese have beocme cheese only
  10. Ice Cream Sundae toppings
  11. Choice of only one desert item instead of all three (Ice cream, pastry and cheese)
  12. Midflight hot snacks (tomato soup, cheese sandwiches, noodles, fried rice, fish n' chips etc.)
  13. Pre arrival meal pastry choice (where are the cinnamon rolls?)
  14. Pre arrival chocolate
  15. Hot Towls before each meal
That is a long list of cutbacks without considering the lower quality and smaller portions of meals being served today.
{L}et's not get into personal preference while lose the focus on the current shamble state of Polaris meal offerings as compare to its original marketed product.
IndyHoosier likes this.

Last edited by UA_Flyer; Aug 3, 2022 at 9:12 pm
UA_Flyer is offline  
Old Aug 3, 2022, 3:46 am
  #1304  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond, Starwood Platinum Preferred
Posts: 296
Originally Posted by UA_Flyer
Just recapping all the eliminated Polaris onboard F&B offerings since the introduction back in December 2017 (labled as gamechanger at the time by United PR):
  1. Pre-departure chocalate served with specially made drink glass and plate
  2. Wine tasting and wine selection
  3. Bloody Mary Cart
  4. Perrier and San Pellegreno sparking water
  5. Appetizers (seared tuna, shrimp, smoke duck etcs are all gone)
  6. Choice of bread items presented in a basket
  7. Scaled down menu (Thai Chicken Noodle, Pork Chop, etc. are gone)
  8. Choices of various sweet desert pastries (apple pies, caramel brownies, macoroons
  9. Fruit and cheese have beocme cheese only
  10. Ice Cream Sundae toppings
  11. Choice of only one desert item instead of all three (Ice cream, pastry and cheese)
  12. Midflight hot snacks (tomato soup, cheese sandwiches, noodles, fried rice, fish n' chips etc.)
  13. Pre arrival meal pastry choice (where are the cinnamon rolls?)
  14. Pre arrival chocolate
That is a long list of cutbacks without considering the lower quality and smaller portions of meals being served today.
{L}et's not get into personal preference while lose the focus on the current shamble state of Polaris meal offerings as compare to its original marketed product.
I miss hot towels.
IndyHoosier likes this.

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 3, 2022 at 12:53 pm Reason: Quote edited to reflected Moderator edit
ll22949 is offline  
Old Aug 3, 2022, 4:01 am
  #1305  
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,137
Originally Posted by UA_Flyer
Just recapping all the eliminated Polaris onboard F&B offerings since the introduction back in December 2017 (labled as gamechanger at the time by United PR):
  1. Pre-departure chocalate served with specially made drink glass and plate
  2. Wine tasting and wine selection
  3. Bloody Mary Cart
  4. Perrier and San Pellegreno sparking water
  5. Appetizers (seared tuna, shrimp, smoke duck etcs are all gone)
  6. Choice of bread items presented in a basket
  7. Scaled down menu (Thai Chicken Noodle, Pork Chop, etc. are gone)
  8. Choices of various sweet desert pastries (apple pies, caramel brownies, macoroons
  9. Fruit and cheese have beocme cheese only
  10. Ice Cream Sundae toppings
  11. Choice of only one desert item instead of all three (Ice cream, pastry and cheese)
  12. Midflight hot snacks (tomato soup, cheese sandwiches, noodles, fried rice, fish n' chips etc.)
  13. Pre arrival meal pastry choice (where are the cinnamon rolls?)
  14. Pre arrival chocolate
That is a long list of cutbacks without considering the lower quality and smaller portions of meals being served today.
{L}et's not get into personal preference while lose the focus on the current shamble state of Polaris meal offerings as compare to its original marketed product.
Don't forget the menus were more than just beef chicken or pasta. Each route had different offerings in addition to a standard beef or chicken. Reference previous years 'Lets Eat' threads.

I include most of this list for comparison when recapping my disappointments in the "tell us how we did" post-flight email survey. I really hammer them. Unsurprisingly I never get responses back.

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 3, 2022 at 12:56 pm Reason: Quote edited to reflected Moderator edit
gmt4 is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.