United Club improvements: hot breakfast, menus, beepers

Entry to the new United Club at SFO (Chris McGinnis)

United is tinkering with more robust food service at United Clubs, and reader BH emailed us yesterday with this report from Chicago, O’Hare:

I am sitting in the UA Club in Chicago (near B18) this morning and they are now serving proper food for breakfast at no charge (egg scramble, sausage, toast). A big step up from the yogurt, fruit, and cold cereal (although that is still here). They are calling it Club Bistro. They also have menu ordering for a charge. They give you a restaurant “beeper” and bring it to where you are sitting. I have attached the menu.

Menu from United Club at O’Hare

I am sure that this is very new. Lots of United suits with ID badges wandering around, watching, and talking. I spoke with one of them and she said that they are planning on expanding this to other Clubs.

This really takes the United Club to the level of a non-US airline—a big step forward and I welcome their investment in improving their product.

Anyway, I just thought that you might find this interesting. Keep up the good work.

Thanks, BH! We contacted United about this, and a spokesperson confirmed it, providing a few more snippets about “the official start of our United Club Transformation.”

“We want to become the industry leader in airport lounge customer experience, and the B18 United Club is the first one fully transitioned to our new service partner Sodexo, which currently provides services at dozens of locations including our award-winning LHR (London Heathrow) United Club and Global First Lounge. The new club offers our customers a higher-quality experience including a new bar program created by mixologist Adam Seger and chef-inspired menus from restaurateur Art Smith.”

TravelSkills was in London LHR last year when Sodexo showed off its food service prowess (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

“Breakfast offerings included sausage and eggs, fresh breads, muffins, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola. We’ll also offer seasonal hot food items for lunch along with a build-your-own salad bar and a wider selection of artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. We’re also piloting a for-purchase program with Giordano’s pizza — customers can order from a kiosk and Sodexo will deliver the food to their table.”

Click here for a 3D virtual tour of United’s renovated Club at O’Hare B18

Have you noticed a change at United Clubs? Please leave your comments below.

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