Last month, United altered their meal service program in North America. For the most part, the changes were good, but one sore spot was the elimination of fruit and cheese plates from flights between Chicago and IAD, DCA, PHL, HPN, BWI, EWR, and LGA.
The elimination of meals on the ORD-LGA route was particularly questionable considering American and Delta had ramped up service on the route, even offering full meals on their regional jets in First Class.
In response to the competition, full meals have returned on United, at least for breakfast. "Snack" is listed for flights departing after 10am and it is not clear whether that means the return of the fruit and cheese plate or something more substantial. While LaGuardia is the only airport affected by this change, it is a step in the right direction.
This was a move that UA had to make and should and have made sooner. Next time, I’d like see UA lead rather than follow.
I had the “more substantial” option on a 5pm flight in F today. Turkey panini (passable), small side salad, Sun Chips, and a cookie. Big upgrade over the cheese/fruit plate!
The FA said that F pax were complainint about only getting a “bag of chips” on the flight (AKA snack mix).
@UA-NYC: Thanks for the update. Now they’re on-par with AA, perhaps even a step ahead.
No food whatsoever on the 10.56am ORD-LGA. nothing. not even a microbag of stale pretzels. in F. I got a can of coke, which differentiates the first class from coach the same way USAir does it. And Southwest.
@jumpingenes: Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear that UA is not providing anything outside meal windows.
It seems to me that travelers departing between 10-11a and 2-4p should no be denied a meal, simply because the departure time falls outside the time most sit down for a meal.