United finally expands its domestic first-class meal service
Good news for travelers booked in United Airlines' domestic first-class: The airline is significantly expanding the number of flights that feature hot meals.
Starting June 1, the Chicago-based carrier will cater hot meals on all mainline flights more than 800 miles, a spokesperson confirmed to TPG. For United Express flights, which are on regional jets that lack ovens, a cold meal will be served on a tray.
The move comes nearly a year after United became the first major U.S. airline to return hot meals to domestic first class. Since then, United has lagged behind its competitors in both the range of routes that feature hot meals and the variety of the meals.
Currently, United offers hot meals only on hub-to-hub mainline routes more than 800 miles long, a threshold in place since last June; routes of that length that aren't between hubs feature a choice of a sandwich or snack box. The airline caters hot meals on other routes more than 1,500 miles long.
Earlier this year, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines both brought back hot meals on flights more than 900 miles long, so United's move to an 800-mile threshold for all flights means it will offer meals on a greater range of routes than either of its full-service competitors.
On shorter routes, United has been catering warm sandwiches, which will now be eliminated, the United spokesperson said. Many travelers, myself included, agree that the sandwiches are tasty but have poor nutritional value.
Then there's the issue of variety. When hot meals initially returned to United last June, the airline catered two sets of breakfast meals, and two sets of lunch and dinner meals on mainline flights. Breakfast flights featured a Belgian waffle or an egg scramble, while lunch and dinner meals featured chicken with orzo or a vegetarian enchilada. The only significant change in the past year occurred when Italian ragu over polenta replaced the vegetarian enchilada. The lack of variety has become something of a running joke among some crews and frequent travelers. On one recent flight, the purser, acknowledging my Premier 1K status, joked that she knew I was already aware of the two lunch options. She was right.
More: Hot, plated meals are officially making a comeback on Delta flights
Now, the airline will address that issue, too.
"We're working to build more entrée variety in the Domestic First menu and can share more about our upcoming menu offerings in the weeks ahead," the United spokesperson said.
More: Hot food is back on American — here's what it was like on day 1
Finally, United is taking another step toward returning its international Polaris business class to its pre-pandemic normalcy. Since 2020, the airline has been serving everything on a single tray. Starting June 1, this will become a three-step sequence, according to United:
Step 1: Pre-meal beverage/cocktail snack/lay table linen
Step 2: Main meal tray with plated entrée
Step 3: Dessert
While still not as elaborate as pre-pandemic service, which featured a chilled appetizer (oftentimes tuna or smoked duck), this move is definitely a step in the right direction as travelers return to the skies and demand something closer to normal service.
Bottom line
United fell behind its competition in recent months when it came to domestic first-class catering, offering less variety on far fewer routes than Delta and American. Starting next week, United will offer hot meals on shorter flights than both airlines and promises more variety soon. United's frequent flyers will surely welcome this news.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees