I know the topic of in-flight cookies is near and dear to many of you, including me, so one more story on the upcoming cookie changes at United.
Biscoff Cookies Will Return In May On United
Last week, Live and Let’s Fly broke the news that United would transition from the popular Belgian Biscoff cookies to Oreo Thins starting next month.
While United won’t say why it is making the change, the change has delighted some and disappointed many. Oreo fans and travelers on Kosher diets are happy, while those who loved the sweet taste and crisp texture of the Biscoff cookies are disappointed.
But as I predicted, Biscoff cookies will return to the in-flight line-up. What I did not predict is how soon they will return: in just two months (effective May 1st).
.@eater, you’re one smart cookie.
Internet, we won’t go baking your heart. We have an ongoing rotation of snacks… so here’s how the cookie crumbles for this round:
OREO Thins = on board March 1 🎉
Biscoff = comes back May 1 👏
Stroopwafel = here always 🙌 https://t.co/8DxJa21d0E— United Airlines (@united) February 22, 2020
And while I find that very good news, my question is why cut them in the first place? I understand that United may wish to trial Oreos and probe customer feedback. But if that is the case and stroopwafels are “here always”, don’t you think it makes sense to offer them both and see what customers prefer when given a direct choice?
CONCLUSION
As a frequent United flyer, I am happy that Biscoff cookies will only be gone for two months. In the meantime, I will revert to stroopwafels. And as for my question above, my guess is $ is the primary reason…
> Read More: The Great Biscoff Vs. Stroopwafel Debate
Go to Costco and buy them for $7 Then you can bring as many as you’d like along.
Probably a leverage tool on UA’s part to show Biscoff they are willing to cut them out and piss off their guests if they raise their unit price too much.
This was actually a paid sampling campaign by Mondekez, the maker of Oreos. A lot of brands have long used airlines as prime places to sample products and gauge consumer feedback. I remember JetBlue used to do this regularly around 2008/2009 and a deal with VitaCoco comes to mind.
Not a whole lot of deals like this these days, given the brand is responsible for providing all product, and also providing United with a marketing fee, but still an effective means of marketing given the captive audiences in planes.
Agree with Kevin. United probably got an incentive to pass out Oreos to all their passengers.
I imagine something similar happens with amenity kits where bodycare brands and the airline come to a lucrative deal to get the lotions in (and on) the hands of “luxury” travelers.
i.e. “No, we’re not going to pay you to distribute these cookies aboard our flights… you’re going to pay us, and like it!”
I tried an Oreo once; it tasted of chemicals. I had to discreetly spit It into a napkin and dispose of it in the lavatory . It defies belief that it is a national iconic snack. But I guess anything is possible given the popularity of the unspeakably repulsive Dorito.
The speculoos are the better bet, even though they are Belgian imitations of the superior Dutch originals.
Great news! Stogieguy7 loves the Biscoff….