Well that was fast. United Airlines is restoring blankets on domestic flights in a swift reversal of policy.
Blankets Return To United Airlines
Yesterday I wrote about United’s decision to remove blankets in domestic first class, where polyester blankets were traditionally available on all mainline flights, and on redeye flights, where all passengers still received blankets.
But the feedback must not have been positive, because United has reversed course and even plans to “expedite” the return of blankets onboard:
Fueled by customer and employee feedback, we are expediting the return to standard provisioning of our on-seat bedding and amenities.
On November 1 (earlier, depending on the provisioning location), the blanket tote on domestic flights and all blankets on red-eye flights will return to our previous provisioning numbers. Red-eye flights will have on-seat blankets provisioned on all seats, and the supplemental blanket totes will return to their previous standards.
It was pointed out that American Airlines and Delta Air Lines ditched blankets during the pandemic on domestic flights and have not brought them back. Blankets may not be game-changers but are nice to have if you do not have room for your own in your hand baggage.
The blankets will be the same size and material as before (blue polyester).
My original story from October 12, 2023 is below.
As it attempts to become “the best airline in the world” and compete with Delta Air Lines for a revenue premium over competitors, United Airlines has curiously eliminated blankets from domestic flights in both economy and first class.
United Airlines Temporarily Eliminates Blankets In All Cabins On Domestic Flights
A memo on cabin provisioning was shared with Live And Let’s Fly suggesting that blankets will be eliminated on most domestic flights in both economy class and first class (what United calls its front cabin within the USA):
All flights in all cabins, except international, Hawaii and premium transcontinental (EWR-SFO/LAX) flights will not have blankets on customer seat
This parallels an earlier memo that blankets would no longer be boarded on redeye flights (where economy class passengers still received blankets) and first class blankets would be eliminated effective September 27, 2023.
A United spokesperson confirmed these changes and was unable to offer an explanation for why the blankets were being removed, but did stress that this is a temporary change and blankets will return soon.
You may still see some blankets as supplies are exhausted, but expect a gap between now and the end of the year, which leads me to my point below.
Blankets Matter. A Chance To Make Them Better.
The blankets United has used up until now on domestic flights are pretty bad. Think see-through gauze (blue polyester). Sure, they were better than nothing, but they were too small and much too thin.
As United looks to go premium, one way it can do so is to start offering far better blankets in first class on all flights and a more decent blanket in economy class. If the budget does not allow for that, United can at least start selling a decent blanket as part of its buy-on-board menu, much like JetBlue does.
Unless I am on a premium transcontinental flight, I bring my own blanket when I travel domestically. That takes up a lot of space in my bag. I would love to see United offer its premium bedding in first class on any transcon redeye flight. That would set United apart quite nicely.
CONCLUSION
United Airlines has eliminated blankets on domestic flights in all cabins for the foreseeable future, with the exceptions of premium transcontinental and Hawaii flights. While United pledges to bring back blankets soon, it is not clear why there is a gap at this point.
If you are traveling on a United Airlines redeye flight, bring your own blanket!
With all of the polaris 1.0 bedding that’s out there, they could stick with their environmental commitment and reuse them on domestic flights. Probably not going to happen but better than all of that just going to waste.
“first class (what United calls its front cabin within the USA)”
With all the cutbacks can it really keep it that?
Sorry, meant to say can it really keep calling it that…
@Aaron … Domestic first class is slightly better seats and leg room . That’s it .
I get that, but there really isn’t anything first class about it anymore.
As this demonstrates, Kirby runs his mouth, but not the airline.
Have to agree…
Delta eliminated blankets domestically in first-class at the pandemic. They’ve never brought them back and are now filling up the cabin on almost exclusively paid first-class tickets. So instead of being better, United is just copying.
American did the same thing. The first class blankets went away in March 2020 and there’s been no sign of them returning (much like the previous catering)
That’s not entirely true….Delta has brought back pillows and blankets (navy blue fleece) on quite a few domestic First flights; had them on my last five non-LAX/SFO transcon flights from JFK in the last month.
I say get rid of all of that germy covid filth
The less material around, the fewer places BEDBUGS can hide.
I’m not sure why you need blanks on anything besides overnight flights. I get announced when I have to store blankets/pillows on transcons in the overhead bins, which I have to do most of the time.
Polaris 2.0 marketing costs have to come from somewhere. Kirby cuts yet again.
Blankets are returning Nov. 1st
Says who? Not my contacts at United.
check again.. it was revised this morning
Bad Idea. With all the winter coats, not necessary.
Of all the cuts airlines are making, getting rid of blankets seems pretty reasonable to me. I don’t generally sleep during the middle of the day, but it amazes me how many people seem to want to sleep on midday domestic flights.
The “blankets” that Delta and United had were more like scarves. On a cold flight, they were handy to have. Before the pandemic, Delta didn’t even launder the blankets. They threw them out after every flight.
Kirby-ed.
I BYOB anyway. The product is substandard and I don’t trust the airlines. I received a packaged blanket that had hair all over it once and decided never again…
It makes sense, I have a blanket as a souvenir. It used to be a heavy material and I wonder how much lighter the airplane would be without the blankets. Not to mention laundry costs. Bring your own jacket if you are cold. And keep the airspace temperature cool so that it reduces irritability among the passengers.
Studies show that if you keep your body cool (and eat less) you will live longer, not to mention the fact that people become more irritable and anxious in a warm environment. Bring your own jacket.
Why would anyone rely on airline for a blanket on a domestic flight? Most stopped offering years ago esp in economy.
That said they were useful when somebody barfed on the seat or to deal with large spills. So eliminating them entirely is stupid.
Go to Five and Below-get your own blanket and travel pillow.
My mother often gets cold while flying. She almost always asks for a blanket. It was a kind service to have blankets aboard. Let’s get rid of ALL the little things that make a trip better, and charge more too. Great business move.
I can see eliminating them in Coach (except for purchase), but ‘first class’ is a huge mistake. As a ‘first class’ flyer, removing blankets is just another reason to not pay extra to sit at the front of the plane. Given the prices charged to sit up there, the least thing an airline can do is provide a blanket if needed no matter where the plane is going. It’s part of what makes sitting up front a ‘premium’ product.
“Best airline in the World”..? Ha! Comical, United.
When you’re even remotely close to SQ service or EK soft deliverables…feel free ask me to pay for your “premium” seats. Until then, stop pretending your int’l biz cabins are competitive.
Keeping calling out the Scott Kirby cuts and United may get better.
While making record profits, the motto of airline passengers in the US is BOHICA.
In late July 2023, on a flight from Dulles to San Diego, the seat belt light was still on and I was seated in the first row extra legroom of economy The temperature was very cold, and I asked a flight attendant for a blanket. I was told , “they are for 1st class”. Shortly later, she brought me one. I am a Mileage Plus member since 1984 , and received a “flight feedback” email. I wrote of my experience. Never got a reply.
As of June 2024, they have still not brought back blankets redeye flights in economy at least. So I’m not really sure what their definition of “soon” is.