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}
Jun 12, 2022, 6:29 am
#1081
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,882
Seats are no different, meals are worse.
Jun 12, 2022, 6:32 am
#1082
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,459
Wonder if OP had only experienced new Polaris seats previously, and now got an old diamond or ipte seat?
Jun 12, 2022, 6:51 am
#1083
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,274
Since you mentioned Bz/1st, well no F is available for international for quite a long time, I assume you are describing domestic ? The PW772 did return and I presume you were flying 77G/77M since you mentioned more seats with less personal space ? But those F seats are not considered as Polaris and these planes fly mostly domestic and Hawaii
or you are talking about 764 with CO Business first diamond seats ? But those were there before the pandemic
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 13, 2022 at 10:25 pm Reason: unneeded comment removed
Jun 12, 2022, 8:12 am
#1084
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,324
UA_Flyer This isn't fair -- this is what my wife sends to me when she complains when I make her fly UA -- STOP IT!
photos are one thing, the food quality and taste are still below average.
Jun 12, 2022, 9:09 am
#1085
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: United, Southwest
Posts: 571
I have a Polaris flight coming up in Sept/Oct ORD-ZRH. I don't do it very often so it's a big treat. And this thread is very disappointing. I don't want to even look at that cauliflower salad. So, here's my question. In the Polaris Lounge in ORD, if I brought a little ZipLock bag, are there food items that would be good to nibble on for the 8 hour flight? Or maybe there's a sandwich place in ORD? I remember, fondly, flying Freddy Laker back from Europe in the 70's and it was buy a meal or bring your own food. We brought bread and cheese and grapes and chocolate (and a Swiss Army Knife). Maybe that's what I need to do. I don't have any food allergies but I don't want to waste valuable sleeping hours waiting for food I don't want to eat. I'd wait up for a Sundae Cart but . . . that's not happening. What would you bring on a long haul business class flight with crap food???? (and I am spending the night in a hotel at ORD so can't make something at home). THANKS!
Jun 12, 2022, 9:13 am
#1086
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
I have a Polaris flight coming up in Sept/Oct ORD-ZRH. I don't do it very often so it's a big treat. And this thread is very disappointing. I don't want to even look at that cauliflower salad. So, here's my question. In the Polaris Lounge in ORD, if I brought a little ZipLock bag, are there food items that would be good to nibble on for the 8 hour flight? Or maybe there's a sandwich place in ORD? I remember, fondly, flying Freddy Laker back from Europe in the 70's and it was buy a meal or bring your own food. We brought bread and cheese and grapes and chocolate (and a Swiss Army Knife). Maybe that's what I need to do. I don't have any food allergies but I don't want to waste valuable sleeping hours waiting for food I don't want to eat. I'd wait up for a Sundae Cart but . . . that's not happening. What would you bring on a long haul business class flight with crap food???? (and I am spending the night in a hotel at ORD so can't make something at home). THANKS!
Jun 12, 2022, 9:33 am
#1087
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: United, Southwest
Posts: 571
Having to fly up to ORD to catch the non-stop (BNA is expanding the airport. Used to have a nonstop BNA-LHR flight on BA but it's gone for now) and the only other option is Swiss Air (LX) and the YouTube videos say the hard product (? seats) is better on UA. I used to fly SW to EWR to catch the overseas flight but SW doesn't do that route anymore. Maybe I should try flying to Texas and catching a flight out of there? For me, the seat is more important than the food . . .
Jun 12, 2022, 9:39 am
#1088
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
Having to fly up to ORD to catch the non-stop (BNA is expanding the airport. Used to have a nonstop BNA-LHR flight on BA but it's gone for now) and the only other option is Swiss Air (LX) and the YouTube videos say the hard product (? seats) is better on UA. I used to fly SW to EWR to catch the overseas flight but SW doesn't do that route anymore. Maybe I should try flying to Texas and catching a flight out of there? For me, the seat is more important than the food . . .
Jun 12, 2022, 10:04 am
#1089
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,406
Honestly for ORD-ZRH, I would just sleep the whole flight (for which Polaris is excellent) if I were capable of sleeping through the meal service.
Jun 12, 2022, 10:15 am
#1090
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,406
A bit off topic, but I have a fairly solid preference for the UA seat of the LX seat. The latter is fine, but a bit cramped and annoying to get in and out of. That being said, both are acceptable and I wouldn't go out of my way to fly one over the other.
But even with the abysmal state of UA catering, I wouldn't spend more than a ~$100 premium or go out of my way to get a proper meal. For that much time or money, one can just get a decent meal before the flight, and IMO it's not like most UA catering is a totally unacceptable source of calories if the flight drags on too long.
But even with the abysmal state of UA catering, I wouldn't spend more than a ~$100 premium or go out of my way to get a proper meal. For that much time or money, one can just get a decent meal before the flight, and IMO it's not like most UA catering is a totally unacceptable source of calories if the flight drags on too long.
Jun 12, 2022, 5:24 pm
#1091
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,919
A bit off topic, but I have a fairly solid preference for the UA seat of the LX seat. The latter is fine, but a bit cramped and annoying to get in and out of. That being said, both are acceptable and I wouldn't go out of my way to fly one over the other.
But even with the abysmal state of UA catering, I wouldn't spend more than a ~$100 premium or go out of my way to get a proper meal. For that much time or money, one can just get a decent meal before the flight, and IMO it's not like most UA catering is a totally unacceptable source of calories if the flight drags on too long.
But even with the abysmal state of UA catering, I wouldn't spend more than a ~$100 premium or go out of my way to get a proper meal. For that much time or money, one can just get a decent meal before the flight, and IMO it's not like most UA catering is a totally unacceptable source of calories if the flight drags on too long.
Anyway, UAFlyer...wow, you make any meal look great!
Nice to see UA gradually improving.
Jun 13, 2022, 1:17 am
#1092
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SF
Programs: United-GOLD, AA
Posts: 142
More seats
What do you mean by more seats added to business? I don't think any pre-pandemic Polaris equipped planes have been retrofitted to a dense configuration. Lots of discussion of the food in 2022 Let's Eat - Polaris Business.
And definitely more cramped-took away the nice cubbyholes so I ended up sleeping on my ipad and noise cancellers.
I agree about the FAs; seats were difficult to adjust, all the sweet spots were gone at the meal service which has been reduced to a tray. Plus the worst of all-no dental floss in pack—YIKES!
And UA got a great bailout to bring us less.
Jun 13, 2022, 6:26 am
#1093
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,620
A bit off topic, but I have a fairly solid preference for the UA seat of the LX seat. The latter is fine, but a bit cramped and annoying to get in and out of. That being said, both are acceptable and I wouldn't go out of my way to fly one over the other.
But even with the abysmal state of UA catering, I wouldn't spend more than a ~$100 premium or go out of my way to get a proper meal. For that much time or money, one can just get a decent meal before the flight, and IMO it's not like most UA catering is a totally unacceptable source of calories if the flight drags on too long.
But even with the abysmal state of UA catering, I wouldn't spend more than a ~$100 premium or go out of my way to get a proper meal. For that much time or money, one can just get a decent meal before the flight, and IMO it's not like most UA catering is a totally unacceptable source of calories if the flight drags on too long.
Yes, the seat is good and the bed comfortable, but again for someone that is just unable to sleep on aircraft, that is not my most important criteria for what makes a good Business product.
I think UA thought process goes something like that, we have the Polaris Lounges with good food, so why spend the money in-flight and the simple answer is because not everyone has the ability to start/end at the hub and not everyone will be able to have a long enough connection to enjoy the Polaris lounge.
With regards to the ANA flight what is with the gloves? AFAIK, this virus is NOT spread via fomites (touch) so that is just performance at this point.
Jun 13, 2022, 6:59 am
#1094
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Golden, CO USA
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 764
I have a Polaris flight coming up in Sept/Oct ORD-ZRH. I don't do it very often so it's a big treat. And this thread is very disappointing. I don't want to even look at that cauliflower salad. So, here's my question. In the Polaris Lounge in ORD, if I brought a little ZipLock bag, are there food items that would be good to nibble on for the 8 hour flight? Or maybe there's a sandwich place in ORD? I remember, fondly, flying Freddy Laker back from Europe in the 70's and it was buy a meal or bring your own food. We brought bread and cheese and grapes and chocolate (and a Swiss Army Knife). Maybe that's what I need to do. I don't have any food allergies but I don't want to waste valuable sleeping hours waiting for food I don't want to eat. I'd wait up for a Sundae Cart but . . . that's not happening. What would you bring on a long haul business class flight with crap food???? (and I am spending the night in a hotel at ORD so can't make something at home). THANKS!
Food likes and dislikes is such a personal thing it’s always difficult to gauge how you will react….one persons swill is another’s gourmet. There are a lot of food snobs on FT, me being more of a critic than a snob. Most Polaris meals are edible and a few granola or power bars in your carry on (or a few items from the Polaris Lounge in ziplock bags as you suggest) can take the hunger pangs away if you are served something you simply can’t eat. I’ve been traveling to the Middle East for 15 years (mostly on United/*A) and have seen it all, and mostly ate it all. Polaris is miles ahead of the old 777 BarcaLounger IAD to DXB business class flights and I survived!
Don't let those who criticize, object to, or oppose United Polaris detract from what will likely be a very enjoyable flight in Polaris. Swiss is great but it has its issues too, just monitor their forum for a bit.
DEN
Last edited by DEN; Jun 14, 2022 at 8:49 am Reason: Mod: “Avoid stereo-typing other posters.” OP: Rewrote last paragraph to remove objectionable word.
Jun 13, 2022, 7:27 am
#1095
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
A bit off topic, but I have a fairly solid preference for the UA seat of the LX seat. The latter is fine, but a bit cramped and annoying to get in and out of. That being said, both are acceptable and I wouldn't go out of my way to fly one over the other.
But even with the abysmal state of UA catering, I wouldn't spend more than a ~$100 premium or go out of my way to get a proper meal. For that much time or money, one can just get a decent meal before the flight, and IMO it's not like most UA catering is a totally unacceptable source of calories if the flight drags on too long.
But even with the abysmal state of UA catering, I wouldn't spend more than a ~$100 premium or go out of my way to get a proper meal. For that much time or money, one can just get a decent meal before the flight, and IMO it's not like most UA catering is a totally unacceptable source of calories if the flight drags on too long.