Go to:

https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/new ... j=81444431

What does this mean?

While DL and AA are offerring free meals on certain domestic flights in Y, UA is still not doing this.

aircountry wrote:

Is UA charge foods for international flights?

Yes, on flights to Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean.

United Airline wrote:

Go to:

https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/new ... j=81444431

What does this mean?

While DL and AA are offerring free meals on certain domestic flights in Y, UA is still not doing this.

But in E+, UA is on the transcons. I think the general US consumer has grown accustomed to not getting meals on domestic flights and don't choose their flights based on that...especially on the quality of the food that is being served.

aer wrote:

aircountry wrote:

Is UA charge foods for international flights?

Yes, on flights to Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean.

I think food is free onboard flights to South America. Also beer and wine.

They don't even offer free spirit like DL, AA etc. On CX, SQ, QF, KL, LH these are given!

aircountry wrote:

United Airline wrote:

aer wrote:

Yes, on flights to Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean.

I think food is free onboard flights to South America. Also beer and wine.

They don't even offer free spirit like DL, AA etc. On CX, SQ, QF, KL, LH these are given!

My friend flew Virgin Australia from LAX to Brisbane on 77W still offer free meals and when return back to LAX on UA and charged meal. I dont understand and I thought it is free meal on international flight include australia to LAX, SFO and IAH. I want to make sure UA still free meal on SYD to IAH then I can fly on UA to IAH. QF still free meal in all flights include international.

UA absolutely offers three free meals on flights from the USA to Australia; international flights over ten hours get a hot meal after take off, a cold mid flight sandwich snack, a full hot meal served prior to arrival. In addition to the three complementary free meals, on flights to Australia and Singapore, passengers can also buy snack boxes to tide them over between the three free meals. Maybe this is what your friend is referring to.

United offers two (or three, if flight time is over ten hours) free meals on all international flights, as well as unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, beer, and wine. Cocktails are complementary to those with certain frequent flyer tier status, and are otherwise available for purchase ($8 or $9?).

Meals are available for purchase on domestic flights; domestic includes all of North and Central America, as well as Hawaii and the Caribbean (with the exception of EWR-LAX, EWR-SFO, and BOS-SFO, routes on which a complementary hot meal is served in economy plus)

These “big adjustments” consist of the following:
- removing tomato juice and Sprite Zero from beverage options
- some cutbacks to first class meals on domestic flights under four hours (i.e. some flights going from hot meal to cold meal <sandwich or salad of some sort>)

UA777EWRTLV wrote:

These “big adjustments” consist of the following:
- removing tomato juice and Sprite Zero from beverage options
- some cutbacks to first class meals on domestic flights under four hours (i.e. some flights going from hot meal to cold meal <sandwich or salad of some sort>)

Pfft...that's rubbish.

These are small items and yet they want to cut.

I am flying DL and AA a lot more lately. Also European/Asian airlines which offer a lot more for the same if not less price.

Many are quick to point out DL doing Y meals. But the free meals are only on JFK-LAX/SFO/PDX/SEA/HNL, DCA-LAX, SEA-BOS/RDU/MCO/FLL, BOS-SFO/LAX, ATL/MSP-HNL. In other words, only main transcontinental routes. That said, at least it is something and an improvement. At least I've generally noticed while DL has tomato juice, I rarely see it served (generally Blood Mary is preferred). I am surprised no one else seems to follow DL on free spirits in Y+, as well as premium snacks over a certain number of miles. As to UA- I find it sad. UA could do more if they wanted to as CO did at one time.

From a service perspective, I'm seeing fewer and fewer reasons to fly UA. Still, my choice of airline mainly depends on the price of the ticket.

UA777EWRTLV wrote:

These “big adjustments” consist of the following:
- removing tomato juice and Sprite Zero from beverage options
- some cutbacks to first class meals on domestic flights under four hours (i.e. some flights going from hot meal to cold meal <sandwich or salad of some sort>)

What is the point if first class if all the amenities go? No pillows, no meal , it's basically becoming spirits big front seat. Sad

slcdeltarumd11 wrote:

UA777EWRTLV wrote:

These “big adjustments” consist of the following:
- removing tomato juice and Sprite Zero from beverage options
- some cutbacks to first class meals on domestic flights under four hours (i.e. some flights going from hot meal to cold meal <sandwich or salad of some sort>)

What is the point if first class if all the amenities go? No pillows, no meal , it's basically becoming spirits big front seat. Sad

You do get a meal. It just may not be a nuked rubbery omelette. Now it will be sandwich, fruit tray and cheese plate.

Delta provides F meals by flight distance in miles, and UA by scheduled duration so the comparison is a little awkward, but review these links to see what you can expect snack/cold/hot. If a 1,400 mile flight is less than 4 hours on United, Delta might have provided more. If a 875-mile flight on United is longer than 2:20 and at dinner, UA might have provided more.

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/conten ... ining.aspx

https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US ... class.html

The most glaring example of no free meal is on the flights to Hawaii, EWR to HNL is about 11 hours and still no free meals. They often run out of certain paid food items on this flight. Meals should be complimentary on flights to Hawaii, like DL and AA.

hohd wrote:

The most glaring example of no free meal is on the flights to Hawaii, EWR to HNL is about 11 hours and still no free meals. They often run out of certain paid food items on this flight. Meals should be complimentary on flights to Hawaii, like DL and AA.

That is an example people point to often. IIRC, UA is #1 to Hawaii and Delta #5. Passengers don't seem to be voting with rumbling stomachs.

MIflyer12 wrote:

Delta provides F meals by flight distance in miles, and UA by scheduled duration so the comparison is a little awkward, but review these links to see what you can expect snack/cold/hot. If a 1,400 mile flight is less than 4 hours on United, Delta might have provided more. If a 875-mile flight on United is longer than 2:20 and at dinner, UA might have provided more.

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/conten ... ining.aspx

https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US ... class.html

Yes, I'm an airline geek, but a hot omelet with Bailey's & coffee at 30,000ft = bliss....

Oops, somehow quoted the wrong post.

MIflyer12 wrote:

hohd wrote:

The most glaring example of no free meal is on the flights to Hawaii, EWR to HNL is about 11 hours and still no free meals. They often run out of certain paid food items on this flight. Meals should be complimentary on flights to Hawaii, like DL and AA.

That is an example people point to often. IIRC, UA is #1 to Hawaii and Delta #5. Passengers don't seem to be voting with rumbling stomachs.

Was on UA's HNL-ORD overnight flight recently. Most people just brought food with them. TBH, if I had been hungry I would have done the same--would have preferred a packed poke dinner over anything that UA could cater (even for free).

A cheese plate is considered "lunch", some fruits and a scone or muffin, or a wrap that is 1/3 or less of a McDonald's wrap is considered a full "meal" for flights under 4 hours. The main implication here is that most of the domestic routes are under four hours, so this is the new standard of catering for F. Even the FA's are deeply embarrassed by these changes.

Spiderguy252 wrote:

UA777EWRTLV wrote:

These “big adjustments” consist of the following:
- removing tomato juice and Sprite Zero from beverage options
- some cutbacks to first class meals on domestic flights under four hours (i.e. some flights going from hot meal to cold meal <sandwich or salad of some sort>)

Pfft...that's rubbish.

Agreed that it’s rubbish. While certainly not good news, Just clarifying that these are overall relatively minor changes, not glaring major overhauls in the onboard product.

I sense a riot in the UA first class cabins! Seriously though, this kind of cheap skate stuff won't sit well with the folks who pay $$ or for frequent fliers who could obtain status on a competing carrier and enjoy better service on the route.

I didn't realize EWR-HNL had no meal service. Its a long as a TATL flight from the West Coast for pity's sake.

Bizarre change for F meals. I personally rarely eat them, but I know I'm in the minority, and the majority will have something new to (rightfully) complain about.

UA777EWRTLV wrote:

These “big adjustments” consist of the following:
- removing tomato juice and Sprite Zero from beverage options
- some cutbacks to first class meals on domestic flights under four hours (i.e. some flights going from hot meal to cold meal <sandwich or salad of some sort>)

I thought tomato juice was the most popular drink in the sky - why would they remove it? Sounds like UA again shows no connection with the world. Friendly skies are less and less friendly at United.

SonomaFlyer wrote:

I didn't realize EWR-HNL had no meal service. Its a long as a TATL flight from the West Coast for pity's sake.

Yes, it is. But do you think many people fly EWR-ATL-HNL to get a free lunch in coach from Delta?

Disappointing to see more cuts as I enjoy eating on planes, but with all the U.S. carriers cutting back lately with F meals, it's not surprising to see the trend continue. Food just isn't a big enough deal to make the airlines care. It's one of the few cost items an airline can control, and so it's a logical cut item if cutting is the goal.

Noise wrote:

From a service perspective, I'm seeing fewer and fewer reasons to fly UA. Still, my choice of airline mainly depends on the price of the ticket.

Winner, Winner, Chicken dinner.

MIflyer12 wrote:

SonomaFlyer wrote:

I didn't realize EWR-HNL had no meal service. Its a long as a TATL flight from the West Coast for pity's sake.

Yes, it is. But do you think many people fly EWR-ATL-HNL to get a free lunch in coach from Delta?

A few are. And many are flying Hawaiian from JFK.

Personally, I think this is just the beginning. Not just for United, but for all the US3. With fuel prices now going up, be glad we get some cheese and fruit. But honestly, I grew up in the restaurant industry. Cheese was far and away the most expensive ingredient we used on a daily basis. It is not cheap. Surely, they’re not saving that much more money than the old spinach omelette w/ egg beaters they served before... So not really sure, I understand these changes. But also, maybe someone else can answer, but will they still have the hot biscuit/Cinnamon roll basket? That was my favorite!

TEY1330 wrote:

A few are. And many are flying Hawaiian from JFK.

Considering that ATL-HNL capacity is at its lowest in many years and below the level seen when ATL-HNL also didn't have free meals, there must not be too many defectors.

Very disappointing, especially considering the same “streamlining” was done to the Polaris service starting May 1st. Most of the service enhancements that were touted at the introduction of Polaris have now either been reduced or eliminated.

The problem at United is that although the ugly head of the snake (Smisek & Co) is gone, the body of the snake lives on in the same lower, middle, and even some upper management that worked under SMI/J. We are back into the miserable “Project Quality” days but with a positive spin put on it. There was short lived relief when Oscar first came on, but now with Kirby onboard the slashing has resumed with a vengeance. As much as I hate to say it, at least Uncle Jeff was upfront and we expected to get screwed left and right. Now the C suite blows smoke up everyone’s behind while tending to the same mission that was started under the previous CEO. IMHO UA has always been saddled with too many chiefs, if there are cuts that need to be made it should come from the bloated middle and upper management ranks. Instead UA will continue to make the pizza cheaper and cheaper until they find just above the point where people won’t pay for it anymore. It ain’t cardboard crust, but it’s getting closer every day.

These views above represent my personal opinion only and are not those of my employer or United Continental Holdings.

United Airline wrote:

Go to:

https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/new ... j=81444431

What does this mean?

While DL and AA are offerring free meals on certain domestic flights in Y, UA is still not doing this.

UA offers free meals in Y+ on Premium transcontinental service routes.

aer wrote:

aircountry wrote:

Is UA charge foods for international flights?

Yes, on flights to Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean.

Region 1 basically. However, their choice menu fresh choices are of much higher quality then AA or DL, IMHO.

United Airline wrote:

aer wrote:

aircountry wrote:

Is UA charge foods for international flights?

Yes, on flights to Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean.

I think food is free onboard flights to South America. Also beer and wine.

They don't even offer free spirit like DL, AA etc. On CX, SQ, QF, KL, LH these are given!

UA provides free beer and wine on international flights. It does charge for hard liquor, just like AA, but unlike DL. Overall the US 3 are still pretty consistent. Try flying LH or KL between the US and region 1, good luck. Unless you're taking Air China from Houston to Panama or Air France from Miami to Port-au-Prince, it won't happen.

ual763 wrote:

slcdeltarumd11 wrote:

UA777EWRTLV wrote:

These “big adjustments” consist of the following:
- removing tomato juice and Sprite Zero from beverage options
- some cutbacks to first class meals on domestic flights under four hours (i.e. some flights going from hot meal to cold meal <sandwich or salad of some sort>)

What is the point if first class if all the amenities go? No pillows, no meal , it's basically becoming spirits big front seat. Sad

You do get a meal. It just may not be a nuked rubbery omelette. Now it will be sandwich, fruit tray and cheese plate.

I won't miss the omelette one bit. Even that cheerios / milk / banana / nuts / cranberry / yogurt tray was better than the omelette. As for NK, the buzzballs are just gross and the "cheese tray" can be had at any Kroger's for $2.99

MIflyer12 wrote:

That is an example people point to often. IIRC, UA is #1 to Hawaii and Delta #5. Passengers don't seem to be voting with rumbling stomachs.

That's because the premium cabin went to Classified in EWR before takeoff and enjoyed the nice and reasonable breakfast there, along with their 20% off.

GSPSPOT wrote:

Yes, I'm an airline geek, but a hot omelet with Bailey's & coffee at 30,000ft = bliss....

I don't like dark roast, so whether it's Fresh Poo or Illy, I'll still go with the double baileys on the rocks

jetero wrote:

Bizarre change for F meals. I personally rarely eat them, but I know I'm in the minority, and the majority will have something new to (rightfully) complain about.

Agreed, but let's see how the new meals are before condemning them. It matters less and less. If you're flying out of SFO or IAH, you'll stop at the Centurion club anyway, if you're flying ex-EWR it's Classified, at DEN it's Timberline, at IAD it's TK lounge and at LAX it's pancakes at AS or *A lounge. That practically only leaves ORD as a domestic hub with a serious food gap, unless you like deep dish pizza or Nuts on Clark.

davescj wrote:

I am surprised no one else seems to follow DL on free spirits in Y+, as well as premium snacks over a certain number of miles. .

AS does give 1 (and they are very strict on that) adult beverage in Y+ on each pass of the beverage cart in domestic, As for a premium snack on AS in Y+, you get a little box with a chocolate candy and a package with 6 gummi bears.

I am most certain these changes are the result of managing excessive provisioning/waste due to passenger behavior and preferences.

I am happy to keep the Stroopwaffle and lose the Tomato Juice, for example. The Bloody Mary mix will always be there for my morning tomato juice cravings.

Separately, I had no idea EWR-HNL does not offer a complimentary meal to Economy Passengers. It was also mentioned EWR-HNL stocks limited quantities of buy-on-board items available for purchase. This must be the longest flight in the world without complimentary meal service. Passengers making short-transfers won’t have the option to buy something at the airport, for example. Further, if the originating city of the connecting passenger had a departure time of 6am, for example, most or all food/beverage concessions are closed at the 4 and 5 o’clock hour.

AirAfreak wrote:

I am most certain these changes are the result of managing excessive provisioning/waste due to passenger behavior and preferences.

I am happy to keep the Stroopwaffle and lose the Tomato Juice, for example. The Bloody Mary mix will always be there for my morning tomato juice cravings.

There is a lot of provisioning waste across the board at the US3 but I can't imagine that Sprite Zero and Tomato Juice were causing much waste. Its not something that is never consumed, just rarely. AA has the same issue with Diet Mist Twist, so that solution is just order less.

That being said, the usage of Bloody Mary mix versus straight up tomato juice I would estimate at 5-to-1 but there are still those that want regular tomato juice and its not like removing three cans per drawer (or whatever UA stocked) is going to buy them that much more room for items that they actually need.

alasizon wrote:

AirAfreak wrote:

I am most certain these changes are the result of managing excessive provisioning/waste due to passenger behavior and preferences.

I am happy to keep the Stroopwaffle and lose the Tomato Juice, for example. The Bloody Mary mix will always be there for my morning tomato juice cravings.

There is a lot of provisioning waste across the board at the US3 but I can't imagine that Sprite Zero and Tomato Juice were causing much waste. Its not something that is never consumed, just rarely. AA has the same issue with Diet Mist Twist, so that solution is just order less.

That being said, the usage of Bloody Mary mix versus straight up tomato juice I would estimate at 5-to-1 but there are still those that want regular tomato juice and its not like removing three cans per drawer (or whatever UA stocked) is going to buy them that much more room for items that they actually need.

I don’t have the exact number of aircraft in service with UA, but in my headspace, I was imagining an airline with 100 aircraft as an example. With a minimum of 1 daily movement by each of the 100 aircraft, a single can of tomato juice gets stocked onto each aircraft daily for a single beverage service during a period of 30 days. That equates to approximately 3,000 cans of tomato juice per month or 36,000 cans per year. In my opinion, UA is making a sensible change to remove a single can of tomato juice (as per the article) to match supply with demand.

Three free meals on flights to Australia and no free meal between New York and Hawaii. That is really sad.

Last monday on my KLM flight from Stockholm to Amsterdam I got two tasty sandwiches and three drinks at no extra charge. The flight lasted about 1,5 hours. I am happy that 'my' airline still serves food and drinks in economy, even on short flights. I read that they are even expanding the service, providing hot meals again in economy on the longer European flights.

Sometimes Europe and the U.S. are really worlds apart.

MartijnNL wrote:

Three free meals on flights to Australia and no free meal between New York and Hawaii. That is really sad.

Last monday on my KLM flight from Stockholm to Amsterdam I got two tasty sandwiches and three drinks at no extra charge. The flight lasted about 1,5 hours. I am happy that 'my' airline still serves food and drinks in economy, even on short flights. I read that they are even expanding the service, providing hot meals again in economy on the longer European flights.

Sometimes Europe and the U.S. are really worlds apart.

The worst has to be British Airways. Only luke warm tap water is free in Economy shorthaul.

MartijnNL wrote:

Three free meals on flights to Australia and no free meal between New York and Hawaii. That is really sad.

Last monday on my KLM flight from Stockholm to Amsterdam I got two tasty sandwiches and three drinks at no extra charge. The flight lasted about 1,5 hours. I am happy that 'my' airline still serves food and drinks in economy, even on short flights. I read that they are even expanding the service, providing hot meals again in economy on the longer European flights.

Sometimes Europe and the U.S. are really worlds apart.

Yes, we are approximately three worlds apart in terms of airline catering thanks to the 11-hour EWR-HNL flight being the world’s longest domestic flight without a complimentary meal. KLM is a lovely airline which I have thoroughly enjoyed for the handful of times I’ve flown with them. *^•^*

Most of my American friends don't seem to care. Asians and Europeans do.Why?

The race to the bottom continues.

I've had trouble figuring out what Delta's real rule is about serving meals in F. They claim it's by distance, I've heard also it depends on the time of the day... but I've definitely been on flights where everyone was surprised there's no food.

And yeah, I'm someone who is likely to fly EWR-ATL-HNL or some other middle connection point to avoid United.

AirAfreak wrote:

I am most certain these changes are the result of managing excessive provisioning/waste due to passenger behavior and preferences.

I am happy to keep the Stroopwaffle and lose the Tomato Juice, for example. The Bloody Mary mix will always be there for my morning tomato juice cravings.

I don’t think I’ve been on a flight with a Stroopwaffle in a good 4-6 months. I’m certain it disappeared when the pretzels showed up. They don’t even offer stroopwaffles in the snack basket line up. I asked about it a few surveys ago, but never heard anything.

Go to: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/exp ... n-food.jsp

Actually American Airlines offers free spirit on flights to and from Japan, Hong Kong, Sydney and Auckland.

United Airline wrote:

Most of my American friends don't seem to care. Asians and Europeans do.Why?

Because most of us are OK with not drinking on flights or, alternatively, paying for a drink or two. And we don't have to stuff our faces with two sandwiches and three alcoholic drinks on a 1.5 hour flight from Stockholm to Amsterdam.

From what I heard from a UA flight attendant, when UA took away free alcohol completely in Y as well as hot meal onboard certain international flights, it was mainly Australians who complained a lot about this. Many Asians and Europeans too. Then free wine and beer came back.

doug_or wrote:

739er wrote:

Winner, Winner, Chicken dinner.

Are we talking about a cold chicken salad or a hot entre?

Just wanted to know more about said prize and how it compares to UA F catering.

Does DL serve hot meals onboard transcon flights? AA?

Alcohol is not free in DL economy class within North America I guess?

739er wrote:

Winner, Winner, Chicken dinner.

Are we talking about a cold chicken salad or a hot entre?

Just wanted to know more about said prize and how it compares to UA F catering.

United Airline wrote:

Most of my American friends don't seem to care. Asians and Europeans do.Why?

This we “don’t seem to care” perception is due to the low expectations we as American Consumers expect within the aviation marketplace. Additionally, I think Americans are grateful to have even two weeks of paid annual leave so the reduction of a service item is low on the list of battles to choose from, overall.

Pbb152 wrote:

Because most of us are OK with not drinking on flights or, alternatively, paying for a drink or two. And we don't have to stuff our faces with two sandwiches and three alcoholic drinks on a 1.5 hour flight from Stockholm to Amsterdam.

The flight left Stockholm at lunchtime. I think it is great that KLM serves you lunch at that time. I don't have to buy food and it saves me time, because I can eat and drink while being in the air. My drinks were non alcoholic. Beer and wine were an option, also free of charge, but I opted for something else.

I am not completely sure what "stuff our faces" means, but the food was very healthy. Whole grain bread and the eggs used came with a three star quality mark.

You can always decline the food and drinks offered to you. For me the included onboard catering is one of the reasons to choose KLM above Norwegian or SAS. Their higher number of daily flights compared to the competition is another reason. It gives you more flexibility when something goes wrong.

ryanov wrote:

I've had trouble figuring out what Delta's real rule is about serving meals in F. They claim it's by distance, I've heard also it depends on the time of the day... but I've definitely been on flights where everyone was surprised there's no food.

And yeah, I'm someone who is likely to fly EWR-ATL-HNL or some other middle connection point to avoid United.

DL seems to have taken the meal window times off the website, or at least I cannot find it currently, but traditionally the hours were:

B'fast/lunch is 5 - 130pm, supper 4-8 pm. Realistically, b'fast ened by 1030, but meals were basically 5 - 830/9 AM unless a fairly long flight.