Fall 2008 Catering Changes at UA
Oct 11, 2008, 8:50 pm
#1111
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I can't believe I haven't come across a hot thread on this topic (or maybe I just missed it). On my transcon flights this week the meal in C was a snack box or "fresh choice"--the exact same items offered in coach--only they were free. Even the flight attendants were embarassed and encouraged every passenger to write to UA about it.
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Fall 2008 Catering Changes at UA
The TransAtl changes have been rescinded
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 11, 2008 at 9:10 pm Reason: corrected link
Oct 11, 2008, 9:06 pm
#1112
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I flew C class p.s SFO-JFK on 6th Oct and there was still a hot meal offered ^. (Got a new version of skykit b/c my 1st choice meal was not avail - with no prompting- FA just provided it when delivered my 2nd choice ^)!
I am hoping (and guessing) that this means the p.s service was spared this new enhancement
to C class service!
If this is incorrect, please advise.
Thanks.
I am hoping (and guessing) that this means the p.s service was spared this new enhancement
to C class service! If this is incorrect, please advise.
Thanks.
Oct 11, 2008, 9:08 pm
#1113
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I can't believe I haven't come across a hot thread on this topic (or maybe I just missed it). On my transcon flights this week the meal in C was a snack box or "fresh choice"--the exact same items offered in coach--only they were free. Even the flight attendants were embarassed and encouraged every passenger to write to UA about it.
This is really scraping the bottom of the barrel for UA. They did still serve a meal in F, but if all C means now is a bigger seat then they have seriously devalued the product. Given that a lot of C passengers are upgraded 1Ks and 1Ps, I see this change as a direct slap in the face regarding their loyalty.
Virgin America is looking better all the time...
This is really scraping the bottom of the barrel for UA. They did still serve a meal in F, but if all C means now is a bigger seat then they have seriously devalued the product. Given that a lot of C passengers are upgraded 1Ks and 1Ps, I see this change as a direct slap in the face regarding their loyalty.
Virgin America is looking better all the time...
Oct 11, 2008, 9:21 pm
#1114
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
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Posts: 14,259
This is only on flights with three classes of service domestically. This is 16 flights daily in United's entire network, no more. The rest are two-class cabins where, if you're upgraded, you get a standard hot meal, as usual.
I realize that the F seats on those planes aren't as nice, so you essentially have a choice if you're able to fly on either a two- or three-class cabin aircraft: international comfy seat, or domestic F seat with a hot meal.
I think a lot of people believe it's wayyy more than 16 flights a day.
I realize that the F seats on those planes aren't as nice, so you essentially have a choice if you're able to fly on either a two- or three-class cabin aircraft: international comfy seat, or domestic F seat with a hot meal.
I think a lot of people believe it's wayyy more than 16 flights a day.
I understand the weird illogical foodie comments. It's so true...the food really is average in every sense of the word but I think it's the enjoyment of being served a meal in flight that thrills some of us.
Oct 11, 2008, 9:27 pm
#1115
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
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Are all 3 mealtime services standardized?
The breakfast offering for domestic C class:
No linen service but coffee cups and saucers are still used.
Plastic tray with plastic utensils. Three different wedges of cheese, two packets of Pepperidge Farm crackers (4 crackers total), about 20 grapes and three wedges of melon, a prepackaged apple danish, strawberry yogurt cup.
What has been the lunch and dinner offerings?
No linen service but coffee cups and saucers are still used.
Plastic tray with plastic utensils. Three different wedges of cheese, two packets of Pepperidge Farm crackers (4 crackers total), about 20 grapes and three wedges of melon, a prepackaged apple danish, strawberry yogurt cup.
What has been the lunch and dinner offerings?
Oct 11, 2008, 9:48 pm
#1116
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I wish. All (4) widebody C flights we had booked have been downgraded to 2-class (either 777 or 757).
Oct 11, 2008, 9:57 pm
#1117
Join Date: Nov 1999
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I think the issue can look completely sensible if you take it from another perspective. Think of it this way (admittedly very UA-corporatespeak view here):
"3 class widebody aircraft are not really supposed to be serving the domestic market. You lucked out by getting one on your flight today, and being able to upgrade no less, from regular old economy to an international business class seat. If we had operated the route as we otherwise would have, you would probably be stuck on a 757 or 737, back in E+ not having been upgraded at all because there are fewer F/C seats in those aircraft. So be grateful that you got a much better seat than would otherwise have been possible, and the coach class meal for free. "
But then, the problem is that people don't view this as an improvement from domestic economy, but as a downsizing/degradation of true 3 class service.
"3 class widebody aircraft are not really supposed to be serving the domestic market. You lucked out by getting one on your flight today, and being able to upgrade no less, from regular old economy to an international business class seat. If we had operated the route as we otherwise would have, you would probably be stuck on a 757 or 737, back in E+ not having been upgraded at all because there are fewer F/C seats in those aircraft. So be grateful that you got a much better seat than would otherwise have been possible, and the coach class meal for free. "
But then, the problem is that people don't view this as an improvement from domestic economy, but as a downsizing/degradation of true 3 class service.
Last edited by TA; Oct 11, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Oct 11, 2008, 10:05 pm
#1118
Join Date: Jul 2005
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And yet when I do a C dummy booking for next May on 902/903 (DEN-IAD-DEN) .bomb still says Lunch/Dinner (respectively). Shouldn't it say "Lunch box" or "Dinner box"?
JJ
JJ
Oct 11, 2008, 10:32 pm
#1119
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Precisely. Business class without a real meal service? Come on! Seems like the only thing falling faster than United's service and product is the price of oil. Management needs to start rethinking these bad, knee-jerk decisions quickly before those of us who spend 10's of thousands a year on them for business travel look elsewhere.
Oct 12, 2008, 12:24 am
#1120
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Precisely. Business class without a real meal service? Come on! Seems like the only thing falling faster than United's service and product is the price of oil. Management needs to start rethinking these bad, knee-jerk decisions quickly before those of us who spend 10's of thousands a year on them for business travel look elsewhere.
Oct 12, 2008, 12:31 am
#1121
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Oct 12, 2008, 1:51 am
#1122
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: UA General
Posts: 334
Help...
I'm doing a mileage run and will be doing plane hopping pretty much all day long, and since I have a few e500s on hand to upgrade to C, picking planes with *HOT* meals to upgrade will be important to me. How can I tell which of my flights is a 2 cabin aircraft?
6105 LAX - SEA Depart: 7:45am
0876 SEA - DEN Depart: 11:27pm
0938 DEN - ORD Depart: 3:48pm
Thanks!
6105 LAX - SEA Depart: 7:45am
0876 SEA - DEN Depart: 11:27pm
0938 DEN - ORD Depart: 3:48pm
Thanks!
Oct 12, 2008, 2:08 am
#1123
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Oct 12, 2008, 5:27 am
#1124
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Posts: 3,387
I'm doing a mileage run and will be doing plane hopping pretty much all day long, and since I have a few e500s on hand to upgrade to C, picking planes with *HOT* meals to upgrade will be important to me. How can I tell which of my flights is a 2 cabin aircraft?
6105 LAX - SEA Depart: 7:45am
0876 SEA - DEN Depart: 11:27pm
0938 DEN - ORD Depart: 3:48pm
Thanks!
6105 LAX - SEA Depart: 7:45am
0876 SEA - DEN Depart: 11:27pm
0938 DEN - ORD Depart: 3:48pm
Thanks!
Oct 12, 2008, 6:32 am
#1125
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