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}
Jul 27, 2022, 12:46 pm
#1276
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: Most....Four elite air/ Three hotel elites - UA MillionMiler - DL RWT alum
Posts: 1,257
10-hour transatlantic FRA-IAH - midflight snack was 4-pack of Saltine-type crackers
Just flew FRA-IAH last week - a 10-hour flight.
The mid-flight snack in Economy was a 4-pack of Delser Salati (think Saltine) crackers, similar to this photo: https://app.abillion.com/products/de...alati-10269735
This is a new low!
(Business was the same crackers, Corny bar or Kitkat.)
Considering that in the same type of cracker pack is a condiment item for soup or salad in North America (over by the salt and pepper packs), and not considered a snack in itself, neither I nor flight crew was impressed at the thought behind the menu scheduling.
The cost of a 16-oz box of Saltine crackers at Wal-Mart is about USD $3.28 . Dividing that for the 0.42oz 4-pack offered of this brand, that is $0.086 for the "snack".
The cost of an 18.6-oz box of Gamesa Saladitas is $2.98 at Wal-Mart. Dividing that for the 0.42 4-pack offered of this brand, that is $0.067 for the "snack".
Based on the price of the ticket, I think United could do better than a $0.06 to $0.09 snack, even with the individual packaging.
Good gravy - even Ritz crackers / Ritz bits / Goldfish would have been better. Even on a domestic flight, it is a Stroopwafel or Biscoff for a short flight in Economy Class.
Is anyone else seeing this on transatlantic flights to the U.S.? Is this from one of the outsourced Catering Companies (NewRest, Gate Gourmet, and Sky Café)?
I have half a mind to send the (saved) cracker-pack to the Exec Office or head of catering (if there still is one).
Flight attendants say their comments aren't heard and are powerless when they give feedback on this.
Looking forward to a "real" snack - not an afterthought
The mid-flight snack in Economy was a 4-pack of Delser Salati (think Saltine) crackers, similar to this photo: https://app.abillion.com/products/de...alati-10269735
This is a new low!
(Business was the same crackers, Corny bar or Kitkat.)
Considering that in the same type of cracker pack is a condiment item for soup or salad in North America (over by the salt and pepper packs), and not considered a snack in itself, neither I nor flight crew was impressed at the thought behind the menu scheduling.
The cost of a 16-oz box of Saltine crackers at Wal-Mart is about USD $3.28 . Dividing that for the 0.42oz 4-pack offered of this brand, that is $0.086 for the "snack".
The cost of an 18.6-oz box of Gamesa Saladitas is $2.98 at Wal-Mart. Dividing that for the 0.42 4-pack offered of this brand, that is $0.067 for the "snack".
Based on the price of the ticket, I think United could do better than a $0.06 to $0.09 snack, even with the individual packaging.
Good gravy - even Ritz crackers / Ritz bits / Goldfish would have been better. Even on a domestic flight, it is a Stroopwafel or Biscoff for a short flight in Economy Class.
Is anyone else seeing this on transatlantic flights to the U.S.? Is this from one of the outsourced Catering Companies (NewRest, Gate Gourmet, and Sky Café)?
I have half a mind to send the (saved) cracker-pack to the Exec Office or head of catering (if there still is one).
Flight attendants say their comments aren't heard and are powerless when they give feedback on this.
Looking forward to a "real" snack - not an afterthought
Jul 27, 2022, 12:55 pm
#1277
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,020
Jul 27, 2022, 12:55 pm
#1278
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,607
They could have given you a lousy nutritious snack that you could have hated. Even when flying F, I spend another $50 at the airport post-security for snacks sandwich etc - plus bottled water. More a protective habit after that Northwest flight spent 9 hours on the tarmac in the 90s. Plus because once I was on a flight with my snacks and my neighbor was freaking out about the delay and tight connection and not having time to get snack. I just offered him some sugary snacks and he gratefully accepted them.
Jul 27, 2022, 1:09 pm
#1279
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: United 100K, Etihad Gold, Marriot Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 578
Obviously they wanted you get a good dose of iodine before going near the Ukraine and the Gout belt.
Jul 27, 2022, 1:20 pm
#1280
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: Most....Four elite air/ Three hotel elites - UA MillionMiler - DL RWT alum
Posts: 1,257
Oh don't worry - I do carry snacks in my carry-on - and an old Fiji water bottle that ought to have its own elite status.
Jul 27, 2022, 1:23 pm
#1281
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
I can't claim to be an expert at transatlantic economy - what did they use to offer?
No buy on board options? I thought buy on board in economy was how UA addresses snacks in economy.
I always bring my own snacks (if I think I need them) purchased at the airport even when in biz class.
I'm a firm believer of controlling my own destiny.
No buy on board options? I thought buy on board in economy was how UA addresses snacks in economy.
I always bring my own snacks (if I think I need them) purchased at the airport even when in biz class.
I'm a firm believer of controlling my own destiny.
Jul 27, 2022, 2:09 pm
#1282
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
Flying long-haul economy on UA, I would not expect them to serve anything I'd want to eat (in fact, that would be my assumption in J as well).
Not saying that's okay, it's just the reality. And of course the executive management is aware. These are deliberate decisions.
Not saying that's okay, it's just the reality. And of course the executive management is aware. These are deliberate decisions.
Jul 27, 2022, 3:08 pm
#1283
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 813
I can't claim to be an expert at transatlantic economy - what did they use to offer?
No buy on board options? I thought buy on board in economy was how UA addresses snacks in economy.
I always bring my own snacks (if I think I need them) purchased at the airport even when in biz class.
I'm a firm believer of controlling my own destiny.
No buy on board options? I thought buy on board in economy was how UA addresses snacks in economy.
I always bring my own snacks (if I think I need them) purchased at the airport even when in biz class.
I'm a firm believer of controlling my own destiny.
Dom yes,
real intl (not hnl,sorry)… no way jose
Jul 27, 2022, 3:17 pm
#1284
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,998
I always bring my own snacks, and a dinner/lunch entree as well, on any international flight even though I always fly in J (as cheaply as possible).
Until there is noticeable improvement in UA's soft product, don't take a chance! Take something you like with you.
Last edited by zombietooth; Jul 27, 2022 at 3:55 pm
Jul 27, 2022, 3:21 pm
#1285
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: 66,852
Jul 31, 2022, 2:16 am
#1286
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 90
I just flew LHR-DEN in business (Polaris). By the time the FA got to me in row 5, they were out of some of the lunch selections. She offered me a choice of some kind of vegetarian grain thing or the ravioli they were having in Economy. I chose the ravioli. It was the single worst airline meal I have ever had. So overdone it practically had no texture at all, and it tasted like dough processed with glutinous chemicals. I was ravenous so I choked it down, but it left a nasty aftertaste. I normally am notoriously unpicky about any food, but I never want to get near that ravioli again.
Jul 31, 2022, 4:39 pm
#1287
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,020
Mis-cater - I've never seen more than 4 blueberries on a UA flight lately, so it should have been "7 small berries".
In-flight services has probably reviewed the film, found, and counseled the wayward food preparer. He/she woud have been fired had staffing issues not be so troublesome nowadays.
This is a company that cuts a single strawberry in half and calls them "strawberries".
In-flight services has probably reviewed the film, found, and counseled the wayward food preparer. He/she woud have been fired had staffing issues not be so troublesome nowadays.
This is a company that cuts a single strawberry in half and calls them "strawberries".
Jul 31, 2022, 6:21 pm
#1288
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,595
Mis-cater - I've never seen more than 4 blueberries on a UA flight lately, so it should have been "7 small berries".
In-flight services has probably reviewed the film, found, and counseled the wayward food preparer. He/she woud have been fired had staffing issues not be so troublesome nowadays.
This is a company that cuts a single strawberry in half and calls them "strawberries".
In-flight services has probably reviewed the film, found, and counseled the wayward food preparer. He/she woud have been fired had staffing issues not be so troublesome nowadays.
This is a company that cuts a single strawberry in half and calls them "strawberries".
Aug 1, 2022, 9:43 am
#1289
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,020
They look like they were swiped from a free Hampton Inn breakfast case, not from a Four Seasons brunch layout. UA's Polaris experience was supposed to be of higher quality. Maybe some people haven't experienced a better muffin than those at a Hampton Inn and think they're average. They aren't even that. Maybe UA is calculating that dulled senses of enough people will accept lower quality and balance out those who believed the Polaris hype. Next up - some fine looking Jack in the Box hamburgers on the Polaris Lounge menu 
.
.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Aug 1, 2022 at 10:16 am
Aug 1, 2022, 4:53 pm
#1290
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: 6,315
They look like they were swiped from a free Hampton Inn breakfast case, not from a Four Seasons brunch layout. UA's Polaris experience was supposed to be of higher quality. Maybe some people haven't experienced a better muffin than those at a Hampton Inn and think they're average. They aren't even that. Maybe UA is calculating that dulled senses of enough people will accept lower quality and balance out those who believed the Polaris hype. Next up - some fine looking Jack in the Box hamburgers on the Polaris Lounge menu .
.