In another sign that pre-pandemic service is returning, United Airlines will start pouring beverages later this month onboard instead of proactively offering full, unopened cans.
United Airlines Reverts To Poured Beverages Over Sealed, Full Cans
Starting on October 15th, United will transition back to pouring beverages in all markets and cabins. For most passengers, this means the end of being offered the entire can of juice or soda automatically. Instead, you’ll be offered a cup of your preferred drink with ice.
For those who used the pandemic to stock up on liquor minis, those will once again be twisted open before serving.
But fret not if you would prefer your own can. Just like before the pandemic, United will accommodate requests for the full can.
You may still see some individual-sized bottles of water as well as individual cans of orange juice after October 15th, as the cutover will be a “soft” one (meaning the old supply will be exhausted before the new supply is added). Domestically, the smaller water bottles will be used for first class until supply runs out. Furthermore, the small bottles will continue to be available on economy class on longhaul flights as part of the mid-flight service.
As part of the return to poured beverages, San Pellegrino sparkling water will be boarded for United Polaris Business for international markets and milk will be returning to international flights. In addition, 1L bottles of wine will be used instead of individual bottles for economy class on international longhaul flights (Premium Plus, United’s premium economy product, will still receive 187mL individual wine bottles).
The Return Of Glasses?
While not officially confirmed (I’ve seen conflicting information and United does not comment on internal memos), it appears that “real” glasses will soon make a return.
The memo notes that in Premium Plus the “tray set-ups will also have wine glasses boarded.” I can’t imagine United means the blue plastic “wine glasses” that have been in use since March 2020.
Another internal source has mentioned glasses are returning however a separate recent memo on service flows makes specific mention of the disposable cups continuing into November in premium cabins.
Should real glasses and ceramic coffee cups return, this would mark a notable step forward in finally restoring a key element of meal service. It seems to me that if it is safe enough for the flight attendants to be pouring beverages once again, it is certainly safe enough to offer real glasses.
CONCLUSION
I’ve been on a lot of flights this year where I’ve observed quite a bit of liquid waste. For many people, the full can is just too much, particularly on short flights. Thus, I think this change makes a lot of sense and appreciate the full cans will still be available upon request.
If October 15th also marks the return of real glasses and cups, the news is even better.
I believe they are bringing back cups and glasses solely due to the fact that United was probably embarrassed when they saw you bring your own glasses…
It’s the beginning of the end!!
More Kirby “service enhancements”. They can now serve 3 people with 1 can of diet coke…
So I assume this means buy on board snacks are back on shorter flights too? Flight status now says snacks available for purchase in economy on shorter flights like LAX-DEN.
Nope, I’ll stick with plastic cups in FC. Never trusted that the glasses are actually clean.
Ever notice how the crew doesn’t drink from the real glasses? Yeah.
What’s disappointing is airlines don’t ditch cups and cans in economy and PE as a matter of safety and cleanliness. It doesn’t make sense why airlines serve drinks in open cups that can spill due to turbulence, normal AC movements, and because of the limited space available to most passengers. One mistake can send liquids all over. A small plastic bottle (Coke has them) is easily capped and uncapped as needed. People don’t have to give up their drinks after meal service because they want to rest and can keep them for later use with small bottles.
J and International F are a little different because if you spill your drink you only get your own pants and seat wet instead of fellow passengers. J compartments offer better storage options for a glass and cup, although, the cup indentations should be much deeper. I only drink water on flights and always buy a 1L bottle of Evian (Buenos Aires took my water bottle at the gate before boarding. Business class almost always has individual bottles so I was ok). I was lucky I did so on Norwegian Premium because they didn’t have bottles. The male flight attendant (obviously not a U.S. flight attendant) offered to pour water into my empty bottle. Having to drink water immediately so you don’t spill it when you recline or take a nap doesn’t make sense.
“Would you like the “Can” Sir?
We continue to offer the entire can… don’t make it sound that this is not an option… as with pre-pandemic levels, when someone asks for a can of juice or soft drinks, you offer them a choice: the can or just a glass.
These days, with the sugar content on many soft drinks, the percentage that opt for the entire can is very low.
This is not a big deal… personally, it’s much easier for me to give out a can of soda than pour it
Not sure I could have made it any clearer…I clearly state cans will still be available upon request.
Ahhh… I just read that line that you wrote, I clearly missed it… my apologies to you Matthew.
No problem. Have you heard anything more about the return of real cups and glasses?
Pouring drinks isn’t the same as having dirty dishes in the carts. Plastic and paper cups are sealed in plastic before use whereas classes and ceramics were always out in the open. Then you have the issue of dirty dishes in the same cart as the clean. Sure, the FAs are supposed to put the dirty below the clean ones but not all flight attendants actually do that. And there’s the dirty glasses that have to go in the drawer right next to a clean one. As I said. Just because United is trying to cut down on waste by pouring drinks doesn’t mean they will bring back dirty glassware and ceramics. I am hoping they don’t.
Personally I wish they’d go the delta route, smaller cans, but less selection. It feels like half the cart are things very few people drink. We don’t need twenty tonic waters on the cart.
Does that mean they will start recycling cans and plastic glasses again? Or well it continue to go into common trash?
United is currently recycling. I’ve done it on my last 12 flights.
I’d like to know when special meals are coming back. I bought my first ever first class ticket for an upcoming flight and was bummed to find out I cannot proactively request a vegetarian meal, which is in line with religious believe and dietary values.
Strangely, United offers Kosher meals on some international flights, but zero other special meals on other flights.
I don’t understand how eliminating special meals reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Clearly, I need to do some research.
Just flew SFO->LHR in Polaris Business last week on United. Got served champagne. Sadly, in a blue plastic cup. That while all other respectable airlines (emirates, qatar, etc) have been back to glass for about a year now. I hate the plastic cups. Give me a real glass, please. I paid for it. And while you’re at it; bring back the dessert trolley.