Where's my (cloth napkin) buttonhole?
May 27, 2023, 9:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
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Posts: 2,175
Where's my (cloth napkin) buttonhole?
I haven't seen this discussed in any of the relevant forums (Polaris, Premium Plus, First), but when did they decide to eliminate the very useful buttonhole on the cloth napkins? If anyone at UA is listening, can we bring this back?
May 27, 2023, 9:48 am
#2
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,597
I agree with you, however, they are very useful.
May 27, 2023, 11:14 am
#3
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I'm glad they got rid of them. They get in the way of an otherwise useful napkin.
May 27, 2023, 4:46 pm
#4
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David
May 27, 2023, 6:06 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2002
Location: US
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I have been missing them too. They have been gone for about a year, based on recollection. I did get one a few weeks ago on a Delhi trip, but only on one of the two meals. Since it was a one-off, I think it just snuck through.
Sad, because it is a helpful feature and really can’t cost much (anything?) to have.
Sad, because it is a helpful feature and really can’t cost much (anything?) to have.
May 27, 2023, 7:11 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: MM / UA 1K
Posts: 473
I also prefer the napkin with a button hole. It's shown up about 50% the time on my international trips this year.If they are phasing them out, it's a disappointment to me.
I also noticed toothpicks weren't included on recent flights either so perhaps it's another enhancement "based on customer feedback"...
I also noticed toothpicks weren't included on recent flights either so perhaps it's another enhancement "based on customer feedback"...
May 27, 2023, 9:34 pm
#8
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I have been missing them too. They have been gone for about a year, based on recollection. I did get one a few weeks ago on a Delhi trip, but only on one of the two meals. Since it was a one-off, I think it just snuck through.
Sad, because it is a helpful feature and really can’t cost much (anything?) to have.
Sad, because it is a helpful feature and really can’t cost much (anything?) to have.
David
May 27, 2023, 9:41 pm
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
I think also someone posted on here about knifing a button hole when absent, which I've not personally tried, but which seems a reasonable countermeasure to this annoying Kirby Kut (irony fully noted).
May 27, 2023, 11:15 pm
#10
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Posts: 3,548
I have missed it much. I wrote about it in an old thread once as years ago someone thought I had cut my napkin.
My very delayed EWR-IAH flight Thursday had them; Though neither my Sunday IAH-MUC nor Thursday NAP-EWR flight had them.
My very delayed EWR-IAH flight Thursday had them; Though neither my Sunday IAH-MUC nor Thursday NAP-EWR flight had them.
May 28, 2023, 5:30 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: HH Dia, UA 1K, Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 51
Whew, I thought it was just me missing the buttonhole. I am 0/6 this month and indeed miss it, especially with red sauce served under eggs as well as enchiladas. So yes, please dont make it go away.
May 28, 2023, 7:01 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
Maybe this is a dumb question, but what are you using the buttonhole for? I surmise from the replies it’s to attach to your clothing in some way?
I’ve never seen a napkin with a buttonhole outside UA in any context—so I’ve just been putting the napkin on my lap.
I figured the buttonhole was for the FAs use
I’ve never seen a napkin with a buttonhole outside UA in any context—so I’ve just been putting the napkin on my lap.
I figured the buttonhole was for the FAs use
Last edited by prometa; May 28, 2023 at 7:09 am
May 28, 2023, 7:45 am
#15
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite, cattle-class with many others
Posts: 55
No such thing as a dumb question! 😁. When flying in particular as a male on a business trip wearing a white dress shirt, attaching the napkin to the second-from-top button (tie flung over shoulder if wearing one) offers protection like nothing else. The elimination of the buttonhole seems a combination of two factors 10+ years old 1) business casual attire trends and 2) the sad demise of “back in the day” upgrades generally earned only by business travelers with lots of BIS flying (especially on classic-Continental given the generous free-upgrade benefit relative to classic-United).