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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That’s a joke if they charge. They doesn’t compare to any foreign carrier lounge. All premium lounges have free food and booze offerings.
“This really takes the United Club to the level of a non-US airline”
Er, no it doesn’t. All the food is free in every non-US airline lounge I have even been in, and not just the cheap stuff.
Heck, the last time I flew UA internationally in Economy, they were even charging for alcoholic drinks which I have NEVER heard of with a foreign airline.
For that matter the United business class lounge at SFO international G terminal is terrible too. Free wine but you have to pay for other alcoholic drinks, and very average food.
I have one thing to tell United, do you think we are on drugs???
First they want us to pay $450 a year for the privilege to use the club and then they charge insane prices for food and drink. When I have a first class ticket and still can’t use the “Club” it’s very, very wrong.
Sorry but United is all about making as much money off of us as we will tolerate and I really hope that folks that spend the money for the United Club would reconsider and tell United to make it more appealing for the $450 a year they charge.
As usual… What would Delta Do? Delta had (and has) this type food at JFK from a while back, and also when they opened their new SFO SkyClub.
For @huning, at DEN, UA has identical Clubs on the two ends of their concourse. Nothing earth shattering, although their bartenders are terrific folks! Newspapers are in good supply, and wifi is solid.
Can anyone please comment on United Clubs at DEN and IAH (Terminal E)? I’m travelling on UA in 2 weeks to those airports. 🙂