rlg128

For the past year or so, I have ordered a gluten free meal when traveling in first or business. On my last four trips in Sept and Oct, the gluten free meal has not boarded (in either direction).

By the way, the flight manifest lists my meal correctly as GFML and my special meal is confirmed when I used the automatic check in.

1. Does anyone know whether these have been recently discontinued?

2. If so, perhaps enough letters may encourage UA to bring them back.

3. Are gluten free meals still available internationally?

--Bob

(this is my first post, although I have been reading the forum for some time)

Jeeves

Bob,

Welcome to Flytalk!

Your first post is a bit obscure. No idea how many UA gluten-frees there are out there. Flyertalkers are a wide and varied bunch. I wish you luck in finding answers.

Jeeves

UAalltheway

Because of them still being offered and such, it appears UA at least still thinks they have them.

A problem with catering, maybe?

cewhitman

You must be in/from Oz. I think the OZ flights MAY be the only ones left with gluten-free meals given that seems to be the only market where folks actually ask for or care about GFML.

On my last flight from MEL (eleven days ago) I saw & sniffed a GFML in C given to the guy next to me.

As for the rest of the flight network, is GFML really an issue anymore?

W

jswong

While Coeliac/Celiac Disease is clearly underrecognised it's prevalence in the U.S is likely to be at least 1% of the Caucasian population (to say nothing of those with Gluten Intolerance but not CD). So I would say it is an issue

Jeff

SeattleDavid

Just want to be clear - this is not about people who happen to request them, but about people with a condition that makes them very sick if they eat gluten - and it affects 1% of the US population (95% of whom do not know it). [If you're wondering how it makes them sick and they don't know it, its because the symptoms are almost invariably misdiagnosed in the US (no longer in Europe or down under)].

Anyway - three years ago you could not order gluten free meals on United and I made quite a fuss with 1k Voice that they were supporting lifestyle diets but not medical ones and they introduced gluten-free meals about two years ago. That said, flight crews (on international flights) have always been great at looking after us (raiding F for a steak without sauce already on it) - and now most meals in C or F seem to come with the sauce on the side if needed.

But gluten free meals do not seem to be an option any more - I booked a flight for next weekend and despite a list of 8-9 special meals, gluten-free was not amongst them.


David

TechOps

They still serve domestic meals?

roadrhino

I was able to order and we received two GF meals to and from Hawaii last week in First Class. My wife was quite happy with the food choices and quality. There was even a GF snack before landing in Hawaii!

dknedlik

I am also a celiac and travel mostly with United. I am under the impression that United will no longer serve the special meal on domestic flights. I can't remeber where I read it, but I did. It doesn't bother me much, even BOS-SFO is surviveable without food. Not too many domestic journey's longer than that. Plus I always stuff a sandwich or something in my carryon anyway.

I have never had a problem with getting GFML on international flights, of course when flying coach I have had them screw it up. I have better luck on Lufthansa or BA to tell the truth, but I stick with United the best I can.

pallensf

any recent updates as to what the Gluten Free meal offerings are now upfront?

xox

Pat89339

I had one in July. Breakfast flight. It was the same meal served for breakfast for the LCML and LFML, with a substitution of applesauce instead of the bagel.

pallensf

Mahalo for the update! :-) xoxo

I too will be on a breakfast flight in a few weeks, SFO-HNL....and the meal looks more than adequate....all washed down with a glass of red....wine that is...lol.

again, thank you!

Patrick

Sterndogg

I am gluten intolerant and it is listed under my special requests when I book the Itin but with UDU in place have never asked a FA for a GF meal when upfront...usually just end up eating the salad hah.

GRU the wanderer

That's not normal. You should contact 1K voice. My mother has the disease and United only dropped the ball once with her. She called and got a $250 voucher.

businesstraveller2

For me it's been hit or miss whether they have GF meal on board for me - and this is with paid F. I did have the very same breakfast as the picture just a few posts up not too long ago.