A classic United Airlines Eater menu from 1966 showcases how economy class passengers used to be fed on domestic flights.
When Economy Class Included Steak: United’s 1966 Easter Menu
A Flyertalk member shared pictures of a special Easter menu from a 1966 United flight:
Dinner included:
- Hearts of Lettuce Salad
- Roquefort Dressing
- Broiled Tenderloin Steak
- Maitre d’Hotel Butter
- Dauphine Potatoes
- Buttered Green Beans
- Crescent Roll
- Walnut Truffle Cake
- Coffee, Tea, Milk
A few thoughts:
- Beurre maître d’hôtel, a classic French compound butter made from softened butter mixed with finely chopped parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, is my favorite topping for a steak that needs sauce.
- Tenderloin steak in economy class? We mustn’t forget that the ticket price between ORD and wherever this flight terminated was probably magnitudes higher than economy class ticket today, when adjusted for inflation inflation
- The menu indicates this flight originated in Chicago O’Hare, with the menu prepared in United’s ORD Flight Kitchen by Chef Edwin Wirz. I’ve included a photo of Wirz explaining dining options to first class passengers on a United Royal Hawaiian DC-8 flight below.
I happen to think we currently live in the “Golden Age” of air travel, where airline tickets are not limited to the rich and the first class and business class of today greatly eclipses that of past generations in terms of the seat. Even so, it sure would have been fun to be on a flight like the one pictured above or with a special printed Easter menu in economy class.
> Read More: The Golden Era Of Airline Travel? We’re In It.
Each week, my Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over two decades ago.
I remember being served a filet on a DC-10 flight on UA out of ORD in Y. It would have to had been 1978 or a bit later. BTW, AA, for the first time ever, sent me a happy anniversary email (39th). First time in a long time I’ve had status (just gold) in a long time. So, that’s probably why.
I remember Delta would fly DC-10/MD-11 on FLL-ATL. Wild to see the widebodies on such a short route. 2-5-2 seating in the back was intense. Never remember any steak though…
Sounds great until you realize the guy next to you fired up a lung dart while eating.
Those were the true glamorous years of flying that will never come back…
How sweet somebody thought to preserve the Easter menu card!
I’m glad they did!
Mee too
I’m not sure I agree that we are living in a Golden Age of Air Travel (at least for those of us in the back), but I also think memory tends to glamorize what air travel was like in the pre-deregulation days – at least in coach. The back of the bus has always been the back of the bus. And while I flew both PA and TW during the 60s and 70s, I don’t ever recall being overwhelmed by “beef, chicken or “pasta” even then. But I do agree air travel price wise is more accessible, even if that has enabled hordes of badly behaved passengers onboard.
Although it was commercially overshadowed by its rival B707, a salute to the beloved veteran DC-8! It’s gone, but not forgotten!
Thanks for your comment, the DC8 was my all time favorite plane. Back on the good ole days, when people behaved, dressed nicely and showed respect for not only the cabin crew, but each other. After 14 years with UAL, I quit to be a mom, but I still miss those days1
“favorite topping for a steak that needs sauce”
Indeed, a tenderloin, with pretty much no unctuous fat after being subjected to a convection oven would need some love.
“Tenderloin steak in economy class?”
Indeed – when our government pretty much banned competing on price, airlines were left to compete on aspects like catering. You are correct – this is the golden age of air travel – I can get a cheap economy ticket and when I get home have well enough scratch left in my pocket to slap a nice, marbled, ribeye on my grill.
Thanks for Sharing my pictures! My wife’s friend is a retired United employee who has lots of these treasures.
@Rich, please continue to share them! I love stuff like this.
Having a glass of milk with steak my be the most American Boomer thing I’ve ever heard.
LOL. Indeed.