United’s bringing back plated meal service in domestic first class
Premium-cabin passengers traveling with United this summer are in for a big (culinary) upgrade.
On Wednesday, United announced that it's bringing back plated meal service for domestic first-class flyers starting on June 15.
The new meals will include a choice of entrees, as well as a side dish and dessert. United teased some of the menu items in its announcement, including:
- Breakfast: Egg scramble with plant-based chorizo OR Belgium waffle with bourbon berry compote, served with a side of a peach-flavored Greek yogurt parfait.
- Lunch/dinner: grilled chicken breast with orzo and lemon basil pesto OR vegetarian enchilada with chile verde, served with a side of Spanish rice.
For dessert, United's partnering with Chicago-based Eli's Cheesecake on a chocolate pie flavor called "Pie in the Sky."
To minimize contact and promote safety, all meals will be served individually wrapped on one tray. First-class passengers can also enjoy a full selection of complimentary beverages, including new alcoholic options, like mango-flavored White Claw or Breckenridge Brewery Juice Drop Hazy IPA.
When the new meals launch on June 15, they'll exclusively be available in the forward cabin on domestic routes over 1,500 miles and on hub-to-hub flights over 800 miles or two hours or longer. United's seven domestic hubs are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO) and Washington Dulles (IAD).
United didn't have any pictures to share of the new meals, but they'll almost certainly be an upgrade compared to the snack boxes and hot sandwiches that are currently offered on select routes.
These sandwiches have received poor reviews from both readers and TPG reporters alike. On a recent United flight from Chicago (ORD) to Bozeman (BZN), TPG's Zach Honig selected the 650-calorie carved chicken sandwich, only to find it filled with more cheese than chicken.
When United reintroduces first-class meals, it'll become the first of the Big 3 U.S. airlines to do so. American serves fresh snacks and light bites in the forward cabin, while Delta only offers pre-packaged snack boxes, though the Atlanta-based carrier is planning to offer fresh boxed meals beginning in early July, with more details to come.
Related: Here's what food and drinks you can expect on your next flight
First-class passengers aren't the only ones receiving a meal upgrade — United's also expanding its buy-on-board alcohol and snack program to even more domestic flights this summer.
Starting June 1, coach passengers on flights over 800 miles will be able to purchase any of the following:
- White Claw Mango ($8)
- Breckenridge Brewery Juice Drop Hazy IPA ($8)
- Kona Brewing Co. Big Wave Golden Ale ($8)
- Michelob Ultra ($8)
- Stella Artois ($8)
- Red, white and sparkling wine options ($9)
Roughly two weeks later, on June 15, United will then expand its for-purchase snack options for flights of similar length, including:
- Pringles ($4)
- Trü Frü Banana Bites ($5)
- Food Should Taste Good Chips & Salsa ($5)
- GourmetNut Mega Omega Trail Mix ($5)
- Tapas ($10), Takeoff ($10) or Recline ($8) snack box
Previously, these snacks and drinks were only available on select premium transcon routes and on flights to Hawaii.
As United expands its revamped dining offerings, the carrier will exclusively accept contactless payment through the United app.
When the flight attendant passes by your row, you'll be asked if you want to purchase a snack or drink. If you do, the crew will pull up your profile on a mobile tablet and charge your stored payment method. Receipts will be emailed, keeping the purchase process completely touchless — in line with guidance from the Cleveland Clinic.
Top-tier Premier 1K and invite-only Global Services members seated in coach will continue to receive a complimentary snack box and alcoholic drink, subject to availability.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.