United Details Menu, Service Ahead of Premium Plus Launch
This Saturday marks the launch of another chapter in United's long-haul service strategy, with the official introduction of Premium Plus.
The carrier's first true premium-economy product offers passengers far more comfort than traditional economy, with a seat that's similar to what you'll find in domestic first class, but with a leg rest, a large seat-back entertainment system and improved amenities, such as a Saks Fifth Avenue pillow and blanket.
Now, United's providing our first glimpse into the food and beverage improvements as well, in the form of an email to in-flight crew members. The airline also shared a couple of menus with TPG, including a list of all food and beverage options for two long-haul Premium Plus flights.
First, here's the menu for Newark (EWR) to Tokyo (NRT):
And here's the food menu for Newark to Tel Aviv (TLV):
All flights will include these beverage options:
Along with the following alcoholic drinks:
United also provided some instructions to flight attendants, along with tips from crew members who participated in a test flight. Some notable details include:
- Menus (like the one above) will be placed at each seat
- Pre-departure water may be served in a blue cup, time permitting
- Almonds will be served alongside a choice of beverage after takeoff
- The main meal will include a choice of two entrees, plus a salad, bread, ice cream and a cookie
- Beer, wine (187ml bottles — about two glasses) and spirits will be available free of charge
- Entrees and salads may arrive with a lid (it may not be removed, as it is in business class)
- Meal orders will not be prioritized based on status
- A customer may choose a standard economy meal instead, if they prefer
- The pre-arrival meal will include a choice of two entrees as well, plus various side dishes, a biscotti and croissant
Some flight attendants got a first look at the tray setup as well, reflected in this image a crew member provided to TPG.
Premium Plus service will launch on the routes below this Saturday, March 30. Additional routes will follow over the next couple of months, including a second batch on April 29 and a third on May 22, as we've detailed in this post.
| Flight | Depart | Time | Arrive | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA 999 | Newark (EWR) | 6:30pm | Brussels (BRU) | 7:45am |
| UA 960 | Newark (EWR) | 7:40pm | Frankfurt (FRA) | 9:10am |
| UA 179 | Newark (EWR) | 3:15pm | Hong Kong (HKG) | 7:10pm |
| UA 48 | Newark (EWR) | 8:10pm | Mumbai (BOM) | 8:50pm |
| UA 57 | Newark (EWR) | 6:30pm | Paris (CDG) | 7:45am |
| UA 84 | Newark (EWR) | 4:55pm | Tel Aviv (TLV) | 10:15am |
| UA 90 | Newark (EWR) | 10:50pm | Tel Aviv (TLV) | 4:20pm |
| UA 79 | Newark (EWR) | 11:05am | Tokyo (NRT) | 1:55pm |
| UA 917 | San Francisco (SFO) | 11:10pm | Auckland (AKL) | 8:20am |
| UA 888 | San Francisco (SFO) | 10:55am | Beijing (PEK) | 2:20pm |
| UA 58 | San Francisco (SFO) | 1:50pm | Frankfurt (FRA) | 9:55am |
| UA 926 | San Francisco (SFO) | 7:15pm | Frankfurt (FRA) | 3:15pm |
| UA 869 | San Francisco (SFO) | 1:00pm | Hong Kong (HKG) | 6:45pm |
| UA 871 | San Francisco (SFO) | 2:00pm | Taipei (TPE) | 6:45pm |
| UA 954 | San Francisco (SFO) | 7:45pm | Tel Aviv (TLV) | 7:55pm |
| UA 837 | San Francisco (SFO) | 11:30am | Tokyo (NRT) | 2:35pm |
| UA 950 | Washington, D.C. (IAD) | 5:40pm | Brussels (BRU) | 7:15am |
Note that some United flights may offer the new Premium Plus seats without the full service. On these flights, customers will be able to select a seat in the premium-economy cabin for the price of Economy Plus — in which case they'll also be available free of charge to elites.