General discussion of UA's inflight service (Domestic / International, all cabins)
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#1156
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,330
I flew UA 930 SFO- LHR last week and was quite interested on how "bad" the soft product would really be as this was my first time in Polaris. I hear and see all of the poor reviews on here but I'm not a picky eater and I don't really expect restaurant quality food on board. I'm thinking most of the J travelers on here are used to eating at expensive restaurants, etc., and my basic palate would enjoy the food.
#1157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD/DCA/FLL/MIA
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#1158
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 4,632
When I started reading this thread I had the same assumption as you. I've seen a lot of food snobs on Flyertalk and in life in general, and I figured that the food was probably not as bad as everyone said. But now, hundreds of posts and photos later, it has become clear to me that this is one of those rare situations where things really are as bad as people say. For me the kicker was the pictures of Kit Kat and Tim Tam bars for dessert.
However, everything is relative. There are many who only fly in economy. If its your first time up front, you may think its great. Also, some people just don't care what they eat.
There are even others that don't eat airplane food at all and just skip the meal.
#1159
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
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I think it's more like 46 seats -- and on the second shortest redeye to Europe in the system. Imagine four separate cart trips up and down both aisles for dinner: drinks, apps, meal, desert -- and then two more for arrival service -- PLUS all the extra stuff like drink refills -- not making excuses as I said -- but "proper" service does takes time...
#1162
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA silver, Bonvoy gold
Posts: 661
#1163
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 1,395
#1164
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 4,632
What a shame, I use to always get the short rib going out and the stuffed chicken coming back (so I wasnt always eating beef). Though neither was ever that great, surprisingly, they were almost never overcooked. Hard to imagine they could make things worse, but UA seems to come up with new and creative ways.
Not surprising. One of my flights, I didn't get any dessert (catering error?) while reportedly PP got ice cream (cups). Even in domestic F, if the flight is short enough, sometimes I get absolutely nothing, while if I were seated in Y, I'd be offered a snack box.
Not surprising. One of my flights, I didn't get any dessert (catering error?) while reportedly PP got ice cream (cups). Even in domestic F, if the flight is short enough, sometimes I get absolutely nothing, while if I were seated in Y, I'd be offered a snack box.
#1165
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 62
That’s my thought as well. I really think this is a personnel issue, not a cost issue. If they can serve a decent meal in domestic F as the domestic thread shows them starting to do, then they should be able to do the same internationally.
#1166
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,429
#1167
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 2,802
Even on US departures, I don't always have time to budget getting to the airport an hour or so earlier to have a meal at the PL.
#1168
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David
#1169
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Plat Premier (+AMB); Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 8,738
There is no justification for the pathetic catering. Just cheapness
#1170
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Fairfax, VA
Posts: 161
Does anyone actually pay cash to fly Intl Polaris? I just booked award tickets at a very favorable price to fly BCN-TPA next year. The same itinerary on AA needed 60% more miles and DL was (typically) about 4x higher. I am hopeful that Polaris service has to improve within 9 months, but if not, I will just plan to buy some decent food to go at BCN and bring my own meal onboard.