United debuts grab-and-go snacks, inaugural details for Airbus A321neo
If you're feeling peckish on your next United Airlines flight, you might just be in luck.
The newest member of the United fleet will also be the first mainline jet to offer a walk-up, grab-and-go snack station.
United's Airbus A321neo, which officially debuts in less than two weeks, will be the first mainline jet to offer economy passengers a so-called grab-n-go station, United confirmed to TPG.
United said this snack station will be stocked on flights longer than 801 miles, and it'll feature complimentary water and snacks following the main service.
The snacks will include a mix of That’s It bars, Undercover chocolate quinoa crisps and a savory snack mix. The walk-up snack bar will only open after the flight attendants complete the first round of snack and beverage service.
United said that the items featured in the walk-up snack bar will be limited and will vary based on the flight distance. Note that they'll exclusively be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The carrier didn't have any pictures or additional details to share with TPG, but it certainly sounds like United is taking a page from JetBlue's playbook with the introduction of this walk-up snack bar.
JetBlue's "pantries," as they're called, also offer snacks and drinks on a complimentary basis. They're found in the galley on some of JetBlue's largest planes that fly medium- and long-haul missions.
United's Airbus A321neo has been a long time coming for the carrier, and it'll now debut in less than two weeks.
The carrier has scheduled the inaugural flight for Nov. 30 from Houston to Chicago. United Flight 321 is scheduled to depart Houston at 5:30 p.m. and land in Chicago at 8:13 p.m.
The airline plans to preview the plane to the media before the inaugural flight at a special event in Houston on that day.
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Aside from the new grab-and-go station, United's Airbus A321neo is expected to feature a similar signature interior to that found on new and recently retrofitted jets, such as the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A319.
The A321neo will offer 20 first-class recliners, 57 extra-legroom Economy Plus seats and 123 economy seats.
Every passenger will enjoy access to seatback screens with Bluetooth connectivity, larger overhead bins, power outlets and USB ports at each seat, and more.
United also confirmed that its A321neos will sport the Airbus Cabin Flex fuselage, which means there will be four cabin doors — two at each end of the plane — and four overwing window exits. The airline added a midcabin lavatory location to assist with traffic flow, and it installed the Airbus XL overhead bins, which should provide room for everyone's full-size carry-on.
Furthermore, those in first class will likely appreciate that the A321neo will have a closet near the forward galley for coat storage.
After the inaugural Nov. 30, United plans to deploy the Airbus A321neo primarily on domestic routes, filling a role similar to its other large narrow-body aircraft.
The map above from Cirium shows the initial routes that United plans for the A321neo in the coming months.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.