One of the best gauges I have for picking up on travel trends are the emails I get from TravelSkills readers. And over the course of the last few months, I’ve been getting more positive emails (and photos) about United meals than before. Which means good things are happening in the those kitchens and galleys, I hope.
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For example, several readers have let me know that United’s new Lobster macaroni and cheese is an awesome new addition. And even though it might not photograph well, it reportedly tastes good!
United’s new lobster mac and cheese- -not too pretty, but tasty! (Photo: PM)
“I recall a post you made recently that mentioned the Lobster Mac on United as part of their upgraded domestic first meal service. On my flight from ORD-SFO today it was offered as an option. I have to say I was hesitant, but the alternative was tofu, rice and peas. The broccoli rabe didn’t survive the reheat, but I have to say the mac was shockingly tasty. I ate every bite, as did the other folks sitting around me. On Monday I flew SFO-BOS and the meal was even better. Service started with a full-sized, mixed green salad with quinoa, followed by a great chicken dish with curry and rice with porcini mushrooms. All topped off with lemon sorbet!” –P.M.
I’ve long been wondering when United would move on from its standard breakfast omlette with the greenish triangle potato wedges. According to TravelSkills reader B.D. better breakfasts are at hand:
United’s hearty new first class breakfast (Photo: B.D.)
“Hey Chris: I knew you would appreciate a shot of United’s new breakfast on my flight from SFO to Atlanta today. It was a nice hearty portion, which I appreciated since I skipped breakfast in my rush to the airport today. I can’t remember what it was called, but it was really delicious mix of eggs, potatoes, sausage and sauteed veggies. Bravo to the new chef in Chicago! I’m not sure if this was a special flight or not, but I hope I get this again.” –B.D.
A Cuban Sandwich in United First class (Photo: TJ)
Update: T.J. wrote to us about the sandwich pictured above: “Yesterday from DEN-PHL had a choice of a cuban sandwich or salad with chicken (which looked sizable and edible from across the aisle). While the cuban appeared like a big blob of dough, it was actually quite tasty. I was surprised. The bowl was a cold salad (orzo?). Of course it probably had 5000mg of sodium to make it taste good, but it was good!”
Over on YouTube, Jetsetter describes his recent United meal like this: “There were three choices Lobster Mac and Cheese, Beef Salad, and Indian Tofu. I had the Lobster Mac and Cheese which was really good! The little salad was impressive. It was a mesclun mix salad with strawberries, mandarin oranges, and blue cheese in it. Dessert was the best thing. It’s no ice cream sundae, but I’m so happy to see ice cream back on these flights. It was a strawberry sorbet. Oh yeah the bread plate. I give UA two thumbs up. I also show the beef salad which the people across the row had.” JetSetter made a good video of the meal service here.
I do know that United has been announcing several changes in food service in the air and at its United Clubs, which we have diligently reported here. As a matter of fact, this week the carrier announced that starting June 1 it would enhance international economy class meals, providing three courses, and perhaps even more notable, that it would bring back complimentary wine and beer (sorry, boozers, the hard stuff is not included). Here’s what United said in a press release (regrettably without photos of the meals):
United added that on super long haul overnight flights, it will enhance the complementary pre-arrival meals, too: “Depending on the market flown, United Economy customers will receive a croissant with jam, a warmed sandwich or a hot meal served with fruit and a roll. On flights where a hot meal is available, new options, such as cinnamon-swirl French toast and a Tuscan skillet with scrambled eggs, will join current offerings.”
Related: Wake up and eat your ice cream! (Must see comments…)
So what do you think, hungry flyers… are meals on those long hauls on United or other airlines getting better? What do you think about the economy class meal service enhancements? Please leave your comments below!
Love or hate an inflight meal or any other aspect of a recent trip? Send us a reader report and we might publish it on TravelSkills!
Yes, perhaps I should try it out, I usually purchase something to bring aboard (then become one of those passengers with an aromatic meal!)
Obviously presentation is not a forte of United executive chefs. The appearance of that mac & cheese, for example, could have been so easily perked up with the addition of chopped red peppers, etc. or at least a contrasting color garnish. (Wannabe #foodie here.)
My mother used to say that chefs tend to be able to cook a steak well, because they place so much attention on this. A much better judge of their skill, she believed, is how well they cook their vegetables.
In fairness, though, that sad broccoli rabe no doubt came about by catering level oversight issues.
I remember several grotesque front-of-cabin meals coming out of Delta’s Atlanta facility, including a breakfast consisting of brown apple pieces and other in extremis fruits that were never meant to be served that way.
I have wondered for the last couple of years if United really, really cares.
I think that they fell the savings for being crappy is worth the abuse that they get when all of their regular flyers pile on them in these forums.
We don’t see bad things being said with some airlines like Jet Blue, Southwest and Virgin. But United the whole world hates them.
My theory and it’s that way for me, we have so many miles invested in their frequent flyer program that we continue to fly a far worst airline. Example of this, I just booked United to Europe, again for the frequent flyer points and the fact that I am only 30,000 miles from being a million mile flyer and gold status for the rest of my life.
I just got back from Cancun on United First. 6 hour flight, horrible service, disappointing food (3 oz chicken, 3 Tbls rice and veggie. No butter for bread, no beverage napkins) I responded to United’s email for feedback, never heard a word. Not a surprise.
But that food has gotten more expensive. In a way it’s best to get a deli sandwich to take along instead of paying the high cost of some of United’s sandwich’s and pay for options.
It’s funny how all of this is coming about because of more competition. First on domestic flights, even Virgin is getting better at first class than United. Their food in first class was awful, most of the time nothing more than a hot sandwich. Gosh even Jet Blue’s mint class is better than United in first class.
Now on International flights.
Adding free meals and free alcohol is a costly move and one that shows that other airlines that they compete with offer this and are getting folks to change. I am making plans for a european trip in business class and noticing that it’s easier in finding flights at a cheaper fare than last year, even with the euro being low.
United never, ever does anything “nice” unless their is reasons of competition involved. Like everyone has said on flights to Dubai, we are seeing better airlines in Emirates. In going to Asia, finding out that airlines like ANA, Singapore and Cathay Pacific do a better job.
Even to Europe, airlines like Virgin Atlantic are better and I am trying to fly business class on Lufthansa as part of a code share with United. One last item, by wife went to South America on Copa and found that experience better than United.
So if your thinking that United is doing this to make our flying experience better, it’s not they are being forced to do all of this because the competition is better and they are losing passengers like me that have been loyal to United for years.
Thanks, Jon! For some reason that photo did not come through. Can you send it the chris@travelskills.com and I may add it to this post. — Chris
I agree the domestic front-of-the-bus meals have improved since UA announced the menu changes some months back. Yesterday from DEN-PHL had a choice of a cuban sandwich (pic below) or salad with chicken (which looked sizable and edible from across the aisle). While the cuban appeared like a big blob of dough, it was actually quite tasty. I was surprised. The bowl was a cold salad (orzo?). Of course it probably had 5000mg of sodium to make it taste good, but it was good!
The recent announcement of the upgraded meals and complimentary beer/wine on trans-oceanic flights is welcome news too. I’m surprised it took this long, as I know plenty of business associates who have been migrating to non-US airlines for their international travels.
The US legacy airlines are finally realizeing that they have to compete with newer US carriers and also with the Middle Eastern and Asian airlines that have wonderful service and food.
Hey Hungry: I did not read anything about this in the press release, so doubtful. — chris
Will they reinstate “special meals”, vegan, low salt, kosher, etc with this upgrade? They were cut out of most United flights.
Hey, Lo. Did you see the part about upgraded meals in economy class? –chris
I have had a couple of the upgraded domestic first meals and agree it is not only improving, it is objectively getting GOOD. The fresh pay-for options in last class have also improved in quality and variety.
This is great for those of you up in the front, meals in the rear (when offered) are another story!
Saying United is getting better food is like saying the Government is getting better at saving money