United cutting first class meal service on flights less than 900 miles? (now "snack")
Dec 14, 2023, 1:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,536
United cutting first class meal service on flights less than 900 miles? (now "snack")
Just read this on VFTW:
https://viewfromthewing.com/united-a...t-class-meals/
So, historically, does this mean that if you purchased a flight (say, this last June, 2023) for Jan 17th, 2024, and it HAD advertised meal service, (ORD-DEN) that it will no longer offer this?
I'm guessing it won't. May make me want to re-schedule the flight so I have enough time to grab something at ORD as 50 minutes is not enough.
Live and let's fly seems to confirm (no exception routes anymore either):
https://liveandletsfly.com/united-ai...als-900-miles/
https://viewfromthewing.com/united-a...t-class-meals/
So, historically, does this mean that if you purchased a flight (say, this last June, 2023) for Jan 17th, 2024, and it HAD advertised meal service, (ORD-DEN) that it will no longer offer this?
I'm guessing it won't. May make me want to re-schedule the flight so I have enough time to grab something at ORD as 50 minutes is not enough.
Live and let's fly seems to confirm (no exception routes anymore either):
https://liveandletsfly.com/united-ai...als-900-miles/
Dec 14, 2023, 1:53 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Radisson Premium
Posts: 6,638
Thank goodness it's a "premium" snack basket from 301-900 miles and flights under 300 miles will not even be getting pretzels. Customer feedback surely brought about these enhancements.
The return of Smisek!
The return of Smisek!
Dec 14, 2023, 2:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 99
While I think it’s an unfortunate change (especially given the lack of exception routes), it also means I’ll be spending less money on F tickets and buy-ups going forward, which is probably just as well. I’m sure there will be some people who argue that I’m being silly over an airline meal. But as in all transactions of this sort, it’s not personal, it’s just business. United doesn’t owe me a meal in F on an 850 mile (or any) flight, and I don’t owe them my business. They can do what they want, and I can do what I want.
Dec 14, 2023, 2:01 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,358
Well, THAT didn't last long! 18 months to be exact:
Anticipated 1 June enhancements - UA bringing back hot meals to domestic first class
The airline said Tuesday that it will reintroduce meal trays in domestic first class on all flights that are longer than 800 miles, replacing the packaged sandwich it has been serving during the pandemic. For mainline flights, the plated meals will include hot entrée choices, while cold plates will be on offer for United First customers on regional flights.
Anticipated 1 June enhancements - UA bringing back hot meals to domestic first class
United Airlines bringing back hot meals to domestic first class
United Airlines will make several upgrades to its food and beverage offerings on June 1 as it shelves pandemic-era procedures.The airline said Tuesday that it will reintroduce meal trays in domestic first class on all flights that are longer than 800 miles, replacing the packaged sandwich it has been serving during the pandemic. For mainline flights, the plated meals will include hot entrée choices, while cold plates will be on offer for United First customers on regional flights.
Dec 14, 2023, 2:10 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
With AA and DL sticking with 900 miles and almost no exception markets (I think DL is only doing some exception markets out of SEA), I am not surprised. Frankly, I was surprised UA was even doing exception markets like LGA-ORD when neither AA or DL were.
Dec 14, 2023, 2:10 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,536
While I think it’s an unfortunate change (especially given the lack of exception routes), it also means I’ll be spending less money on F tickets and buy-ups going forward, which is probably just as well. I’m sure there will be some people who argue that I’m being silly over an airline meal. But as in all transactions of this sort, it’s not personal, it’s just business. United doesn’t owe me a meal in F on an 850 mile (or any) flight, and I don’t owe them my business. They can do what they want, and I can do what I want.
Unfortunately then I'm left with a huge FTC that I have to use eventually. Grrr
Or just suck it up and remember. Wonder how a nice hot breakfast sandwich and pancakes from McDonalds will travel ALB-ORD and sit around until I get on the plane (since there won't be enough time to get something in ORD). I doubt UA would let me change at no charge (it's a like $250 more) to switch to the later flight with a longer layover in ORD? ha!
Worse things in life I'm sure, but I'm liking your last statement.
Dec 14, 2023, 2:24 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
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Posts: 10,515
More money for Kirby and less work for FAs. You have to look at this from United's side, get it? 
I am with KabAir. Relationship is all transactional. I am flying 40K+ BIS in the first few weeks of 2024 with United over 20 some dirt cheap flights.
I am with KabAir. Relationship is all transactional. I am flying 40K+ BIS in the first few weeks of 2024 with United over 20 some dirt cheap flights.
Dec 14, 2023, 2:29 pm
#10
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Posts: 66,857
So this is impacting flights from 801-900 miles and aligning with the competition?
Sucks for those in that narrow range. Wonder how many of UA daily flights fit in this range?
Sucks for those in that narrow range. Wonder how many of UA daily flights fit in this range?
Dec 14, 2023, 2:38 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,469
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...________AZgBAg
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...________AZgBAg
Dec 14, 2023, 2:42 pm
#12
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: 66,857
On an arbitrary day next year, I count 54 flights (include both directions) for the DEN-LAX/IAH/ORD route MatthewLAX highlighted.
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...________AZgBAg
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...________AZgBAg
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...________AZgBAg
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...________AZgBAg
This is out of nearly 5,000 UA flights == probably 4,000--ish domestic
As commented the DEN folks will be hit the most
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 14, 2023 at 3:12 pm
Dec 14, 2023, 3:35 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
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Posts: 9,925
no matter which way you slice it. Three wrongs don't make a right.
Dec 14, 2023, 3:49 pm
#14
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Dec 14, 2023, 3:50 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2006
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KirbyKutbacks continue. And he has the nerve to claim United is best in class. Did he train under the Soviet propaganda dept.?