May 11, 2022, 1:38 pm
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?
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?
General discussion of UA's inflight service (Domestic / Int’l, all cabins) {Archive}
Apr 26, 2022, 4:55 pm
#811
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,926
If years means 2, then yes. But even as recent as 2019, Polaris offered an appetizer, a larger and more premium salad, selection of warm bread, and of course the cheese/sundae/sweet treat options for dessert (the latter of which is apparently slowly coming back).
Apr 26, 2022, 7:27 pm
#812
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: TYO
Programs: United Premier Gold
Posts: 168
Sorry for being unclear. I was specifically referring to presentation, the use of the same Chobani cups you get in economy etc. The lack of dishware is a bummer. I’ve seen some photos on this forum of sauce etc. smeared all over the dish. Not really the level of presentation expected — nor promised when Polaris became a “thing” when it launched.
If years means 2, then yes. But even as recent as 2019, Polaris offered an appetizer, a larger and more premium salad, selection of warm bread, and of course the cheese/sundae/sweet treat options for dessert (the latter of which is apparently slowly coming back).
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 26, 2022 at 8:16 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
Apr 26, 2022, 8:15 pm
#813
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
I was speaking about the main courses (portion, selection, quality - it really hasn't changed in many years) but you're right about the other stuff. Thankfully, that's all coming back (far too slowly). To me, though, the most important thing is UA plating the meals nicely in those large bowls and adding a garnish. Makes such a difference.
I'll be happy to take a sundae/petit four slopped on a paper bowl/plate vs a single timtam. Or an appetizer in a plastic tray vs none.
I remember when FA's would scoop ice cream into a bowl. sometimes it would look terrible. Still alot better than a mini biscuit.
But I understand, some easy to do tiny changes that may or may not cost more money can up the perceived value
Apr 27, 2022, 5:35 am
#814
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,746
I hope you enjoy ANA business as much as I have. My last ANA long haul was in Feb 2020 (ORD-NRT) and was my best international J flight in all my years of TPAC flying (since 1994).
Apr 27, 2022, 8:56 am
#815
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,055
Some of these entrees I am seeing in these pictures look no different then a Hungry Man tv dinner. Probabaly costs UA about the same too.
Apr 30, 2022, 9:23 am
#816
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
Apr 30, 2022, 10:40 am
#817
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,203
The delta, so to speak, between unacceptable, cheap lazy slop and an industry leading inflight meal service in the premium cabins is really not that wide in terms of cost, or effort. In fact, with a little forward thinking, United could take a clue from the hungry man concept, and redesign the plates to have a porcelain tray that is laid out with sized spaces for cold appetizers and desserts which can be pre-plated in the kitchen facility, then a gap space to fit in a hot plate which is heated in the oven. Then all the FA needs to do is drop the hot plate into the gap space to complete the presentation and deliver it to the customer. With the right design, it would actually look pretty nice and introduce some efficiency into the plating, serving and cleaning process.
Apr 30, 2022, 11:54 am
#818
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat, Hertz PC, Avis PC, Hyatt-ist, SPG/Marriott Gold
Posts: 136
UA's "flagship" route as given the UA1 flight number, one of the longest flights in the system, and the "beef, fish, or pasta" is all plopped down on a tray at once, no appetizer, and dessert is (frankly, sorry excuse for) a cookie that I could get from a vending machine where it's made to be shelf-stable for months. Plus, no hot mid-flight snack on a 16+ hour flight.
Meanwhile, on another carrier in the same alliance, you can "book the cook…," get a printed menu, and get meals in courses (and not on "dog-dish" casseroles) rather than cafeteria-style.
And yet, UA still seems to fill the seats. Even though the aircraft used is only 66% converted and could be swapped for one with fauxlaris. I'd really love to get some insight to what the thought process is at UA HQ. Is the motivation to have this level of soft product minimizing work for FAs so they can staff flights with the bare minimum and appease AFA by reducing the work of those FAs who are on the flight? Is it aggressively minimizing catering cost? Are they aware of what a flight on other *A airlines are like, or do they have no comparison in experience because they are using their employee flight benefits to fill the empty seats and only flying UA?
Come on, UA, you can do so, so much better.
Meanwhile, on another carrier in the same alliance, you can "book the cook…," get a printed menu, and get meals in courses (and not on "dog-dish" casseroles) rather than cafeteria-style.
And yet, UA still seems to fill the seats. Even though the aircraft used is only 66% converted and could be swapped for one with fauxlaris. I'd really love to get some insight to what the thought process is at UA HQ. Is the motivation to have this level of soft product minimizing work for FAs so they can staff flights with the bare minimum and appease AFA by reducing the work of those FAs who are on the flight? Is it aggressively minimizing catering cost? Are they aware of what a flight on other *A airlines are like, or do they have no comparison in experience because they are using their employee flight benefits to fill the empty seats and only flying UA?
Come on, UA, you can do so, so much better.
Apr 30, 2022, 1:19 pm
#819
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern California
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier 1K, Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
Posts: 1,150
UA's "flagship" route as given the UA1 flight number, one of the longest flights in the system, and the "beef, fish, or pasta" is all plopped down on a tray at once, no appetizer, and dessert is (frankly, sorry excuse for) a cookie that I could get from a vending machine where it's made to be shelf-stable for months. Plus, no hot mid-flight snack on a 16+ hour flight.
Meanwhile, on another carrier in the same alliance, you can "book the cook…," get a printed menu, and get meals in courses (and not on "dog-dish" casseroles) rather than cafeteria-style.
And yet, UA still seems to fill the seats. Even though the aircraft used is only 66% converted and could be swapped for one with fauxlaris. I'd really love to get some insight to what the thought process is at UA HQ. Is the motivation to have this level of soft product minimizing work for FAs so they can staff flights with the bare minimum and appease AFA by reducing the work of those FAs who are on the flight? Is it aggressively minimizing catering cost? Are they aware of what a flight on other *A airlines are like, or do they have no comparison in experience because they are using their employee flight benefits to fill the empty seats and only flying UA?
Come on, UA, you can do so, so much better.
Meanwhile, on another carrier in the same alliance, you can "book the cook…," get a printed menu, and get meals in courses (and not on "dog-dish" casseroles) rather than cafeteria-style.
And yet, UA still seems to fill the seats. Even though the aircraft used is only 66% converted and could be swapped for one with fauxlaris. I'd really love to get some insight to what the thought process is at UA HQ. Is the motivation to have this level of soft product minimizing work for FAs so they can staff flights with the bare minimum and appease AFA by reducing the work of those FAs who are on the flight? Is it aggressively minimizing catering cost? Are they aware of what a flight on other *A airlines are like, or do they have no comparison in experience because they are using their employee flight benefits to fill the empty seats and only flying UA?
Come on, UA, you can do so, so much better.
BRING BACK THE SUNDAES
Apr 30, 2022, 1:46 pm
#820
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
So I am of the crowd that says the lie flat seat is what I truly want, and this is so, and did not catch the flight for the food but the food is somewhat important and when after getting off a UA flight to Europe and connecting to a LH flight and know I can look forward to a decent meal on the 2 hour LH flight there is something wrong with the food offerings for a premium product...
Agree with others, United can and should do better.
Agree with others, United can and should do better.
Apr 30, 2022, 2:49 pm
#821
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,998
Apr 30, 2022, 4:20 pm
#822
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Apr 30, 2022, 4:22 pm
#823
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,926
We also need to ditch illy. Too premium. Sanka will do.
Apr 30, 2022, 4:27 pm
#824
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,926
Are these nasty cookies also served in economy class in place of ice cream?
Apr 30, 2022, 4:47 pm
#825
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,203
Kirby and his minions only care about their bonuses, and their institutional investor buddies likely flipping the stock around on insider info. They don’t really care about the product, the brand, the reputation or customers - just look at the difference in management focus and attention with the leadership of NH, SQ, LH, QR etc. Companies who unlike United management, don’t claim their airline is the best in the world, they just deliver a consistent product that simply is the best.
Sundaes ain’t gonna save United - only new management with the right focus towards product and away from shareholders, can get the job done.
I recently read a trip report about “Patrizia”. She should be the norm, the standard, the expectation, but instead, she is so much a one of a kind phenomenon, I need to read a report about how amazing she is vs just experiencing her level of service quality on every flight, every day. That’s a bug, not a feature.