United will expand its complimentary meal service trial in economy class to a second Hawaiian route starting later this month.
Beginning May 15, 2019, complimentary sandwiches will be offered to economy class passengers on flights from Chicago to Honolulu.
Last month, United began trialing free sandwiches on its Houston to Honolulu route, an eight-hour flight. Augmenting its buy-on-board menu, each passenger was offered a four-ounce balsamic chicken sandwich with arugula spread and mozzarella.
https://twitter.com/shipwre66723600/status/1117886023172681728
While hardly a gourmet meal, it is certainly a recognition that both Delta and American offer complimentary food on their longer Hawaiian routes. Hawaii is and remains a very different, primarily leisure-based market compared to Europe, but Chicago to Honolulu is a 9-hour flight. That’s a long time to go without eating for those who did not bring a credit card to buy food onboard.
So how is the sandwich? On Twitter, @shipwreck stated:
The taste isn’t bad and the the bread is not soggy. Although so much bread for a small sandwich. At least UA is trying to be more competitive with AA on the TX to HNL route.
United did not tell me how long the trial will run, but if successful we could see it expand to Honolulu routes from Newark and Washington Dulles as well. Success will be gauged based upon customer feedback in post-flight surveys. Thus, if you enjoy the complimentary sandwiches, be sure to let United know.
> Read More: United’s Free Coach Meals on Domestic Transcons
CONCLUSION
I’m frankly surprised it took so long for United to bring back some form of free meals on these longer Hawaiian routes. Chicago and Houston are clear choices due to competition from American (from DFW in Texas and seasonally from ORD). Whether these free sandwiches stick around or not, it’s nice to at least see the hint of free meals returning to economy class.
What do you think about free sandwiches on United Airlines’ flights to Hawaii?
These flights are from large hubs that United have substantial catering supply facilities at (contracted out but the supply chain is there) – surely it is not that hard for United to cater them with a proper intercontinental food service.
These are 8/9/10hr flights: the nickle and diming is embarrassing.
Wholeheartedly agree. This whole “but it’s a domestic flight…” argument is just so pathetic. DL serves a substantial snackbox-style meal in Y on a 5-ish hour transcon LAX-JFK, and UA can’t be bothered on a flight almost twice as long? I’m not a proponent of total re-regulation of air travel, but I’d defnitely like to see some requirement for both seat pitch minimums (31″?) and food service mandates based on flight window – gate-to-gate – not just flight time.
Agreed as well. IMHO, this isn’t even news-worthy, but the pathetic service UA generally provides (cost-cutting to the max) makes this a “step up”. Sad that this is where US carriers are at.. cost cutting and charging more fees.
Free meal existed on domestic flights ever since the beginning of civil aviation. Now, it sounds like the United just invented it.
But not in the last 10 years on United…
Why don’t they offer free meals on the Honolulu to Dulles and the Honolulu to Newark flight Sucks?
What about the non-stop flights from Denver? Granted, HOU-HNL is 7800 miles, but DEN-HNL is 6720 miles.
I think you mean r/t?
Wow. Big deal. New livery. (Wasted money.) United should concentrate on better customer service. And service higher-quality meal/snack service.
Some European and Asian carriers due it in less than 45mins on some routes. Or is it time to break up the three legacy carriers like ATT was. Or better yet…..foreign carrier cabotage. I’d love to fly an Air France flight to Hawaii. At least I would expect a DECENT meal. Here! Here!
Wow, what a “sacrifice” on United’s part.
How about the 7+ hours from Guam to Honolulu? No food and old United plane.
This is a great and important discussion across the board. I, assuming that UA has eyes all over social media forums like this, have been wanting to express this simple request to my go-to carrier since my family has been flying back and forth from ORD to HNL/OGG for the last 14 years. A 9 hour flight. Great service, but with nothing to serve, besides drinkables. Economy Class with no seat-back screen for IFE. First Class with no menus or amenity kits for just 28 (-2 for crew) passengers to watch over during a flight that is longer than most International/overnight flights. It’s really the little things (soft product) that cause their customers to be happy, inspired to compliment crew/airlines, and make a very long flight seem as if it ‘flew by’. Restoring a true customer service focused business is what we are waiting for….patiently….in the wings. *All puns were intended
Just flew this route last week. They no longer serve free sandwiches. It’s food for purchase only.
I remember back in the late 80s on Pan Am HNL-LAX-JFK I could pre-order a steak in economy!
Pan Am had pre-orders?