I've heard a lot about the Obento meal on Trip Reports by people who flew in F and C.
A friend of mine who is by no stretch of the
imagination a VFF, is flying SFO->NRT in a
couple weeks. I've already promised to drive him out and take him to the Int'l RCC to give
him a proper sendoff. Would it be possible
for him to order an Obento even though he's
on a discount E fare?

Thanks!
JD

I would assume that that would be impossible, unfortunately.

*HighFlyah*

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"To Fly High, Fly and STAY *UNITED* - that's the only way to do it."

Even on a full Y ticket I don't think he can get the Obento meal. AFAIK United makes them available only in F and C. If your friend is lucky enough to get an operational or any other kind of upgrade to C and wants the Obento then he should ask a flight attendant to save one for him and *maybe* there'll be one available -- they go quickly and UA doesn't load enough of them to meet the demand. I've had UA run out of Obento even when I was in F.

The obento meal can be preordered (in F or C) as a special meal.

One question about the Obento: am I correct that it's the same in F and C?

*HighFlyah*

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"To Fly High, Fly and STAY *UNITED* - that's the only way to do it."

Can I order Obento ahead of time? For someone that likes Asian food, should I order it ahead of time for both the outbound and return trips?

Do you have the means to get past security in order to access the RCC? I.e., do you have to be ticketed to clear security at SFO? I'm not sure myself, but raise it in the hope of potentially saving you inconvenience.



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Who is John Galt?
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If you want to be assured of an obento, IMHO it should definitely be ordered ahead of time... They only stock less than a handful besides the pre-orders.

Since the International RCC is beyond the security screening, it will not be possible for you to accompany him into the RCC unless you also have an international flight that day. Unless, of course, you have a fully refundable ticket

I don't think it is the same in first & C. A few weeks ago, I had asked the FA (in C) if she had tried the obento. She hadn't and I was actually planning on ordering the salmon instead, but I guesss she thought I really wanted it, cuz she brought me the Obento and said she had got it from first class. (The whole thing was a little confusing). Anyway, while I'm a big fan of sashimi, there are just too many weird things in the Obento for me to feel like I've had a good meal.

I had to whimper and whine to get the western desert (cheesecake)

From the "Special Needs - Meals" section of United.com:

According to United International Reservations, a few of these are loaded on each qualifing flight for general distribution within the respective F and C cabins, on a first come, first served basis.

But if any F or C passenger wants to be assured an Obento, they may pre-order the same Obento Box as a "Special Meal" at least 24 hours in advance by calling United International Reservations.

Economy passengers can not order an Obento as a Special Meal.

I think mooching one from C or F as is suggested above might be your only option.

Definately call ahead. There's nothing more disappointing than wanting one, forgetting to pre-order one, and not being able to get one.

As far as I know, Obento is not available in Y, and the C and F meals are the same except for the tray & silverware, etc. (and some dessert/tea option?).

I have never had UA's obento meals but I had Economy's Asian meal selections for several occasions. They were awful.

Of the other carriers, I was really impressed with the Japanese meal selection from ANA. I only had C meals but I heared that the F class has freshly cooked rice as well.

Although, I enjoyed the ANA's meals temedously, I never though they would serve sashimi (actually it was a brazed bonito tataki) and other "non-heat added" items on board. Also, my wife and I thought that some of the items seem bit too exotic for non Japanese passengers.

I usually cook my own obento before boarding UA's long-haul economy class. I have much better food that way :-)

[This message has been edited by Atuchan (edited 11-28-2001).]

Funny you should say that. ANA served me the best piece of meat I've ever had on an airplane and close to as good as I've had anywhere. It was blood rare and cut like butter. I was really surprised and impressed. Other times their western selections have seemed a little indifferent, and the Japanese meals, as you say, a little out there for me.