United Airlines is gradually bringing back more special meal options after the pandemic. Next month, it will reintroduce the ability to order children’s meals on longer domestic and international flights.
Children’s Meals Returns To Special Meal Option On United Airlines
In a memo reviewed by Live and Let’s Fly, United Airlines has told flight attendants it will reintroduce the option of ordering a children’s meal (CHMML) as one of its special meals types on select flights effective November 1, 2022, including:
- Flights more than 2,000 miles that offer a complimentary meal service
- Includes Hawaii and international long-haul flights
These will be available in all cabins of service, as long as a free meal is served. So, for example, while such a meal would be available in economy class on a London to Newark flight, it would not be available on a flight from Newark to San Francisco, even though that flight is more than 2,000 miles, because United does not serve free meals on that route.
Currently, United serves complimentary meals on long-haul international flights and select flights between Hawaii and its hubs east of Denver (West Coast is excluded).
The menu will include chicken nuggets on domestic flights and a grilled cheese sandwich on international flights. Both will be served with potato chips, a fruit cup, and dessert. On longer flights, pre-arrival breakfast will include French Toast with sausage, fruit, and a croissant (one of the current standard offerings).
If you do wish to request a children’s meal or any special meal on United, you must do so at least 24 hours in advance on the United mobile app or on united.com. I have been ordering more special meals lately and find that the meal request does not always “stick” when ordered on the mobile app and your safer bet is to order on united.com.
A Lufthansa children’s meal is pictured above. My policy is NEVER to order a children’s meal, since I find the selection even less healthy and filling than a standard airline meal. Furthermore, my children prefer to pick at a steak or piece of fish than chicken nuggets or a grilled cheese sandwich. I’d like to see a heather option for children.
Then again, I still think back fondly to the McDonald’s Happy Meals I enjoyed onboard as a kid…
CONCLUSION
United Airlines is bringing back the option of ordering children’s meals on flights that offer a complimentary meal service. This option will go live on November 1, 2022.
Do you order children’s meals for your kids?
Would I? No as my child eat what we ate with age appropriate concessions. However, it will probably be a welcome option for some families.
But STILL no printed menus, appetisers or sundae cart in Polaris..
Printed menus have returned.
Not on my flight EWR to JNB on 10/25 although the options looked identical to yours on the CPT flight.
But if you can pre order domestically why not internationally ex EWR?
Printed menus are nearly as outdated as Skymall
They would be if the airline offered the option to pre order online or even pull up via QR code etc…
This child in the photo appears sad. Blue generally represents boys, so it is likely the child either feels uncomfortable presenting as male or does not like wearing a material that reminds it of the oppression associated with that gender. Their caregiver should try other colors and fabrics.
Well, this won’t end well…
STFUYDB
American served a children’s meal during the pandemic. They called it a “fruit and cheese plate.” I believe it was catered by the Lunchables Corporation.
Nice, glad to see more and more meal service return.
Unrelated to meals, but starting on Nov 1, transcon flights operated on a 757 don’t show lie flat seats on the seat map. I assume that is just a glitch? The plane type is a 757-200, all of which have lie flat seats. Matthew do you know any reason why this might be?
I do know something about this. Will have something up in the next couple of days.
To be honest, a child meal sounds appealing for adults.
I’m confused – which domestic flights would qualify?
I see only Hawaii:)
Not on my flight EWR to JNB on 10/25 although the options looked identical to yours on the CPT flight.
But if you can pre order domestically why not internationally ex EWR?
My daughter doesn’t eat most of it, sadly. I found the fruit meal on Lufthansa went over great with her (6 years old).
Yep, fruit meal is a great option.
My “children” are now in their late 30’s When they were pre kinder-gardeners, United served McDonald’s Happy Meals in economy, even for short flights (say Denver to Los Angeles.) They loved them. Of course, back then, most domestic flights had free meals in “coach.”
My “children” are now in their late 30’s When they were pre kinder-gardeners, United served McDonald’s Happy Meals in economy, even for short flights (say Denver to Los Angeles.) They loved them. Of course, back then, most domestic flights had free meals in economy.