United Airlines will further be restoring its premium cabin meal service as of June 2022. That’s pretty exciting, since hopefully it spells the end of those disgusting packaged sandwiches United has been serving for the past year.
In this post:
United domestic first class meal service changes
As of June 1, 2022, United Airlines will be greatly improving its first class meal service. Specifically, the airline will be reintroducing meal trays in domestic first class on flights of 800+ miles. On mainline flights the meal trays will have a hot main course option, while on regional flights the trays will have a cold main course option.
For context, in June 2021, United Airlines slowly began restoring meal service in first class. At the time the airline reintroduced meals on domestic flights of 1,500+ miles, and on hub-to-hub flights of over 800 miles.
However, most domestic flights of under 800 miles were served the dreaded packaged sandwiches. Yes, this is technically hot food, but not the good kind.
So a full service on a tray should be a great improvement for flights between 800 and 1,500 miles.
United international business class meal service changes
As of June 1, 2022, United Airlines will be largely restoring its pre-pandemic service in international business class (known as Polaris). Since the start of the pandemic, United has been serving meals all at once, with main courses generally served covered.
The service will finally be restored to something similar to what was offered pre-pandemic. This includes the reintroduction of a coursed meal offering, including table linens, and mixed nuts and a drink before the meal starts.
Also as of June 1, 2022, United will bring back spirits to international premium economy and economy, to accompany beer and wine. Liquor will be complimentary in premium economy, and will be available for purchase in economy.
Bottom line
United Airlines is further restoring its inflight service as of June 1, 2022. The airline will be bringing back “real” meals in domestic first class on flights of 800+ miles, while the airline will be restoring a coursed meal service in international business class.
While United was largely leading the way when it came to restoring pre-pandemic service at first (in mid-2021), the airline has been lagging a bit since then, as most competitors have restored pre-pandemic service at this point. It’s nice to see United finally catching up there.
What do you make of United restoring service in domestic first class and international business class?
Recently flew 1st class from Cancun to NY, the meal was wonderful! Chicken with rice, vegetables and a salad. The chicken was moist, veggies tender. The salad dressing was just as good but the star of the meal was the chocolate cake which had some sort of raspberry flavoring. Everything was great!!!
Flew today from LAX -IAD. The lunch was pretty awful. Technically it was hot meal but food quality was very poor and looks like United went for the cheapest option they could get away with.
Disgusting
I just flew from Greenville, SC to Denver, Co and got a prepackaged cheese tray for breakfast with a bowl of corn flakes and a banana. On my way back, for dinner I was served the very same prepackaged cheese tray with an over ripe banana for dinner! Get real! The service was lackluster as well. I most definitely will not be flying first class with United again. I could have picked up the meals that I was served in a kiosk on the way to the plane. Waste of money!
Opppps.... that was run out of food.
What happens when you pay additional money for a 5:45 hour flight in first class and they run out of money. No apologies, says this happens all the time. First time first class flyers will not fly first class again.
Just flew round trip in the USA and the two entree options were revolting! The choices were chicken or impossible meatballs. Watching the cabin crew return full plates to the galley. The meals were inedible. Absolutely disgusting food! Shame on you United.
My wife and I flew from Chicago to Honolulu and I have read these reviews and wondered what service would be like in first class. First yes being in the last row in first the choices are not complete, but I do understand. I thought the food was better than economy class and on par for airplane food. I sure do not expect fine dining on airplanes but the short ribs and the chicken dishes...
My wife and I flew from Chicago to Honolulu and I have read these reviews and wondered what service would be like in first class. First yes being in the last row in first the choices are not complete, but I do understand. I thought the food was better than economy class and on par for airplane food. I sure do not expect fine dining on airplanes but the short ribs and the chicken dishes we had were as good as fast-food joints food. The flight attendants were friendly and the service was fine. They checked u=on us to refill our beverages fairly often. I travel a lot for work so have seen a lot over the years. I guess it just comes with setting your expectations properly and being friendly to the flight attendants.
My daughter and I flew on United International Business May 23, 2022 from Dulles to Heathrow and return June 5, 2022. The first class has gotten worse. The flight attendants come through asking for meal choices and did not have enough for all of us. Then after take off they came through with a drink cart and gave us drinks. This is like economy class. The meals were terrible. I had some kind of fish...
My daughter and I flew on United International Business May 23, 2022 from Dulles to Heathrow and return June 5, 2022. The first class has gotten worse. The flight attendants come through asking for meal choices and did not have enough for all of us. Then after take off they came through with a drink cart and gave us drinks. This is like economy class. The meals were terrible. I had some kind of fish in a tomato sauce. There was another plate with I'm not sure what maybe a carb. The dessert was frozen. I was able to have a knife stand up straight. I asked if they could heat it but was told they are not allowed to do it. The breakfast was even worse. There was no cloth napkins, separate plates, or glass. It was just like economy. The flight attendants spent most time in back areas sections. The seats that recline to beds were tiny. Thankfully we are not too tall or overweight. My 6 foot husband would not be able to lie down. I use 620,000 miles for this trip. It was a huge disappointment. I am using other airlines and build my miles with them. There is nothing special in this class.
Just got back from 2 United Polaris trips, on Sunday, 10 July. One from Barcelona to Neward, and then from Newark to LAX. The service on the Barcelona route was good. The food was a 2 on a scale from 1-5! On the Neward to LAX, the service was a 1, and the food was a 1! The Chief Steward seemed to have no idea what was going on. He made odd announcements at odd...
Just got back from 2 United Polaris trips, on Sunday, 10 July. One from Barcelona to Neward, and then from Newark to LAX. The service on the Barcelona route was good. The food was a 2 on a scale from 1-5! On the Neward to LAX, the service was a 1, and the food was a 1! The Chief Steward seemed to have no idea what was going on. He made odd announcements at odd times that made no sense. Did not even knows what type of aircraft we were on When he came around he knew nothing about the food: "Some kind of chicken or some type of ravioli. What do you want? Came back 2 times to ask me what kind of wine I wanted. Threw down the food and that was that. There were two ladies in business class who were very pleasant but overworked. The lady next to me said that she never eats on United and flies several times a month. Terrible food, and on the Neward-Lax potion, very bad service. I used to fly United very frequently, but no more. Food is not the deciding fact but the service was.
All first class meals for the past two months, regardless of cities, have had the same miserable choices. There is no different meal choice even on a round trip so you get the same meal going each way. The choices are the same horrid pepper filled options. Why should I pay first class and not have any meal variation?
I hope this will put pressure on AA to return hot meals in domestic first class on flights 800+ (or even 900+) miles. Currently AA only offers hot entrees on 1500+ mile flights, and the cold options on shorter flights are very bad. A charcuterie plate for dinner? Come on.
Just returned from Italy on United. The coach class food was in edible. Some balls that were supposed to be chicken a cold couscous type salad with No flavor and for a snack, dry unappetizing bread sticks with non dip or sauce, no peanut butter just the dry flavorless bread sticks. Next time can I have a cold sandwich and chips. It would be a huge improvement!!
Nobody flies for the food or chooses an airline because of it
True, but food n drinks do matter for a long distance or overseas passenger. I flew business class (Polaris) in 2021 n 2022 fm Seattle to Delhi, n found food very tepid. I will have to rethink before flying United again if they don't improve food. It's good to learn that they are improving from June 1 I will wait n watch before booking flight for my September trip.
True - but I think people avoid certain airlines because of the food (or lack thereof). When prices and timings are not much different, I would for example choose AF over KL or TK over LH. I have not got many memories of actually GOOD airline meals (save for TK, who are one of the few carriers to actually serve restaurant quality stuff), but plenty of inedible "but why?!" memories.
Not true. I always check meal service and, if it’s poor or non-existent, I’ll choose another airline or fly economy. I’m not saying I represent “everybody,” but neither do you.
@iamhere
Sweeping statement, much???
I do. The hot meal is one of the main things I look for when flying First.
Glad that it looks pretty, Lucky. For me, yet another first class cross country with no gluten-free meal option. OK, only used those expiring plus points to upgrade and it only happened the day, before but United apparently has no ability, and apparently has no intention, to use the information in my United profile to try to make even something modest available. Gluten-free is not a choice but a medical necessity for some people. At...
Glad that it looks pretty, Lucky. For me, yet another first class cross country with no gluten-free meal option. OK, only used those expiring plus points to upgrade and it only happened the day, before but United apparently has no ability, and apparently has no intention, to use the information in my United profile to try to make even something modest available. Gluten-free is not a choice but a medical necessity for some people. At least at this point my expectations are normalized so I bring a couple Kind bars - just like in coach. Lol
They should try harder to be like American Airlines . The food on AA is so delicious that I would rather fly than eat my wife's cooking. American is the only airline that makes me proud to be American.
Full Disclosure: I am CK and my wife is also CK.
Maybe your wife should learn to cook better. Better yet, instead of insisting the woman cook, why don't you do some of it yourself?
@Skyward Geek
Aside from perhaps being trolled or maybe just an old-fashioned joke by 'Razzak'. Which highlights your lack of situational awareness(!). Just where exactly was he "insisting the woman cook"?? I don't see it. Because it's not what he said. So either lighten up and/or actually learn to read the actual words in front of, instead of merely assuming.
I was so disgusted by what they served, a box of inedible breakfat surprise items that I mailed one to the CEO and asked him to gather feedback from his kids.
Never heard from him I hope his kids are ok.
Sad thing I bet a half a dozen United execs signed off on these "meals."
just flew FLL to IHA and then to Seattle... utterly disgusting food, as described, lounge in Houston was crowded, only cheap draft beers available, no Texas craft beer for example. Staff untrained, overworked, couldn't wait to leave.
@Lucky, a small correction:
"However, most domestic flights of under 800 miles were served the dreaded packaged sandwiches. Yes, this is technically hot food, but not the good kind."
should read:
"However, most domestic flights of under 1500 miles were served the dreaded packaged sandwiches. Yes, this is technically hot food, but not the good kind.
"food" still sucks!
I fly every week and have a choice of my meals before 24 hours of departure. Not sure but I’m thinking that this post is misleading have not had a sandwich in over a year. Any improvement will be appreciated. I love UAL (Lifetime 1k).
The sandwiches are based on flight length / time. Also - the ability to choose meals 24 hours prior to departure is limited to specific departure airports so not available when returning from a non-hub for example or if your home airport is not a hub.
So the fact that you specifically haven't had a sandwich in over a year is purely specific to you and your flying patterns, not because United had previously...
The sandwiches are based on flight length / time. Also - the ability to choose meals 24 hours prior to departure is limited to specific departure airports so not available when returning from a non-hub for example or if your home airport is not a hub.
So the fact that you specifically haven't had a sandwich in over a year is purely specific to you and your flying patterns, not because United had previously made some major improvement.
I exclusively fly United and am GS - plenty of things I like about them but their recent catering is not on that list.
Will premium transcontinental routes in Polaris get the upgraded service or will the meals be the same as other domestic first routes?
I wonder if any United executives have flown any Asian or Middle Eastern airlines to see what high class food service can look like? I applaud United for its improvements but it is still way behind what those carriers are doing.
@Rich Watson
Yes, undoubtedly United executives would've flown Asian and ME carriers, and noted the superior product and service. As you imply, their food offering is simply not comparable because United's motivation to truly be among the world's best is absent. The same can be said for the other U.S. legacy carriers. More practically, I think United would be content just being the U.S. leader. But I do like Polaris overall and appreciate the efforts they've made.
even the first class breakfast on Lufthansa Munich to duesseldorf was better than anything I was served on transcontinental flights from the US to Europe. The Europeans just know things better.
Rich we said the exact same thing. We just flew Etihad first class.
Years ago living in Japan our company required us to fly United home, we always booked a code share so it looked like United
The simple answer is NO. US executives and airline managers are completely in the dark about what other airlines in the world are doing. From the food to the service, US airlines are terrible. Especially in the service end.. Having passengers and flight attendants tramp from Economy to Premium to Business to First like hordes of wild bison (Most international carriers keep these cabins locked down and very separate).... to the food quality... to the...
The simple answer is NO. US executives and airline managers are completely in the dark about what other airlines in the world are doing. From the food to the service, US airlines are terrible. Especially in the service end.. Having passengers and flight attendants tramp from Economy to Premium to Business to First like hordes of wild bison (Most international carriers keep these cabins locked down and very separate).... to the food quality... to the service and attitude of the FA.... Its all about price for US carriers.. and sometimes, there is NO PRICE DIFFERENCE.
I remember years ago .. when I had a FIRST CLASS AWARD on Singapore Airlines, and was changing to another day, via telephone, and they tried to put me on United vs. Singapore ... Needless to say.... that did not happen...
Enroute LHR-DEN right now, 26May. Happy to report most all is well in Polaris--including the hot nuts. Still miss the hot towel, though.
First class meal…..!.?.!
So cheap! US airlines company has to grow up in terms of quality.
My GF and I recently flew United Polaris for the first time, from SFO to FRA and we won’t fly them again. Glad they’re upgrading, but they got our money once and we don’t need to give them a second chance. We’ve flown Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM and Lufthansa, all in business class, so that was what we were expecting on UA Polaris. Every aspect of the experience, from lounge to boarding, meals, amenities,...
My GF and I recently flew United Polaris for the first time, from SFO to FRA and we won’t fly them again. Glad they’re upgrading, but they got our money once and we don’t need to give them a second chance. We’ve flown Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM and Lufthansa, all in business class, so that was what we were expecting on UA Polaris. Every aspect of the experience, from lounge to boarding, meals, amenities, all of it was underwhelming and some just disappointing. All the other airlines we’d flown provided a similar level that we assumed UA would provide, especially since the UA ticket cost as much as the other airlines
Surprised, as the Polaris lounge in SFO is one of the nicest business class lounges you'll find (esp in the US).
I'd read that it was nice, but it was the actual lounge, the chairs, the bar, seating, etc. that was nice. The food was generic cafeteria food and most of the time they were out. We ate at the restaurant and it was ok, it seemed warmed up as opposed to cooked. Her son likened it to ballpark food. So, none of it was horrible, but it was surprising to us how average everything was....
I'd read that it was nice, but it was the actual lounge, the chairs, the bar, seating, etc. that was nice. The food was generic cafeteria food and most of the time they were out. We ate at the restaurant and it was ok, it seemed warmed up as opposed to cooked. Her son likened it to ballpark food. So, none of it was horrible, but it was surprising to us how average everything was. To be fair, the service industry is still recovering from the pandemic, but we both felt like average was ok.
The photo of the good ole sundae is misleading, as it still will not return on June 1st.
For our safety I’m sure.
@GDSFRA
Yes, it must surely be an old pic. Do you recall soon after the launch of Polaris how United had numerous incidents with this exact sundae bowl cracking? They also had a similar problem with the oh-so-fancy champagne flute, which customers and crew also kept breaking.
The reintroduction of spirits is a bad idea.
In what regards?
Recently flew across to LHR and returned from CDG in Polaris. Meal service was okay but it was just a bit better than the hot meal service you got on long-haul domestic flights in economy 10 years ago. Still a huge gap in meal service between US and most foreign carriers.
Have my first long haul Polaris flights tonight and next week. Interested to see a before&after (admittedly expectations not super high on food service)
Here’s to hoping this means they also improve the international quality and introduce more variety domestically than the 2 meal options they’ve been stuck on for the past 6+ months…
EWR-HNL in Polaris (767-300) is considered domestic or international in these terms?
Is Hawaii part of the United States? Therein lies the answer to your question.
Even UAL flight all the way from HNL to GUM is "domestic" about 8 hours... another disappointment.... Continental Micronesia was MUCH better