At long last, the full ice cream sundae service is returning to United Airlines Polaris business class…but only on a few routes to begin.
“Signature” Ice Cream Sundae Service Returns to United Airlines Polaris Business Class…On Four Routes To Start
Starting December 1, 2022, United will reintroduce its full ice cream sundae service on the following routes from San Francisco (SFO) in Polaris business class:
- Brisbane (BNE)
- Frankfurt (FRA)
- Singapore (SIN)
- Sydney (SYD)
In a memo to flight attendants, United explain that the return of ice cream sundae service is based upon both passenger and flight attendant feedback.
Based on customer and flight attendant feedback, we’re revamping the Polaris dessert service and are bringing back a new three-tier dessert cart for our signature ice cream sundae service. Cheese plates with fruit and tarts will be included as additional dessert options offered.
The three-tier dessert cart was a staple of Polaris service prior to the pandemic.
Currently, United offers a “pre-dressed” ice cream dish in Polaris business class, typically vanilla ice cream with a single topping sprinkled over it.
United calls this a “soft launch” and while I understand it wants to ensure the return to a full-service dessert cart runs smoothly, I hope other longhaul routes will not be kept waiting for too much longer.
CONCLUSION
It is great to see, even if only on four routes to start, that United is restoring its full ice cream sundae service. I realize that Americans’ love for ice cream sundaes is not shared around the world, but like warmed mixed nuts, there is always something special about an ice cream sundae on a plane. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines brought back thier full ice cream sundae service months ago, so this move only begins to match what competitors have previously brought back. United will also reintroduce hot towel service on December 1st.
United is introducing other positive meal service changes on domestic routes, which I will share tomorrow.
the last 4-5 sundaes i had on United had such bad freezer burn, and even as they melted tasted icy/watery. Pretty baffled by how poor the UA catering is. I’ve always been used to AA being inedible, but UA is levels below.
Seems like UA management is at least acknowledging the poor catering and will work to improve it. A step in the right direction.
I flew LHRLAX a few days ago on UA and the ice cream served was a white brick. Or perhaps titanium. No options for topping.
So glad to hear. The ice cream on the inaugural BNE flight was terrible. The texture was all off like a “frozen dairy dessert”.
I really do wonder why they have to “ramp up” the service with limited routes. It’s not like this is a novel new addition to the service, it’s been a staple of all Polaris routes before.
Fully agree. This “soft” rollout is a joke. Do it or don’t, this kind of limited rollout makes no sense.
Will be interesting to see how much Covid-19 transmission rates increase as a result of this change. Perhaps it would be better to hold off on serving sundaes until Joe Biden defeats this virus once and for all.
Like your pic this schtick is getting old.
Incorrect–seeing this news from today: Leaders of the Group of 20 (G-20) have issued a joint declaration promoting a global standard on proof of vaccination for international travel and calling for the establishment of “global digital health networks” that build on existing digital COVID-19 vaccine passport schemes. https://yournews.com/2022/11/17/2455617/g-20-promotes-who-standardized-global-vaccine-passport-and-digital-health-identity/
*YAWN* Such a lazy attempt at humor. Sad AF.
@Matthew, any word on UA reintroducing destination-specific menu items? For example, the Japanese meal option on Japan flights.
Anyone gonna be on the IAD-CPT inaugural tonight?
There is a skill to serving the perfect inflight ice cream sundae. It does however start with a premium brand of ice cream. The ice cream comes on board frozen hard as rock wrapped in dry ice. Timing and love will present any business/first class guest the perfect sundae specially prepared and served by a caring and friendly cabin crew member. Love love love!! It was my favorite item to prepare and serve on flights. So, if hate and discord is present in a company starting from the top, how do you think your ice cream sundae will taste?
I hope that there are more dessert options other than ice cream or fruit & cheese of which both are becoming trite.
There will be a tart as well.
why it only offered to Singapore line not to Taipei? not Happy about it.
Seems like UA is coming to terms with the fact that its catering is poor and not up to the low bar set by DL and AA. The selection of routes though is a bit odd, but presumably its a logistics issue. One would think some other markets other than SFO-FRA would have sundaes, like LHR and some of the Africa routes which are among the carrier’s longest. Brisbane is a new route, with no competition right now. Seems UA still struggles with some of the basics.
maybe it’s the planes on these routes? – I know FRA is mainly a 777-300 .. I’d expect Sydney to be the same.
I flew DFW – LHR last week and the desserts weren’t that good either. Flying isn’t as good as it use to be with all airlines
UA has light years to go with all aspects of their service. How they stayed in biz is beyond me. Compare European biz class services to LH, BA, AF…. There is no comparison. Mc Donald’s vs. a 5-star restaurant. Can’t hide behind Covid forever.
Polaris is not fit for anyone over 6’ or over 180 lbs. it’s claustrophobic. God forbid your shoe size is more than an 11 (male)
I give them credit for on time performance and attempts to uplift crew/client interaction.
Rotten sundaes will not save the day.
Lastly, I nominate them for least stylish flight attendant uniforms.
I have to say that my recent AF flight (first time in over a decade flying them long haul) was pretty disappointing in terms of the food, particularly the main course. It was some of the most boring beef I have ever had on a plane- perhaps adequate for Y, but I was in business. The pre-arrival omelette was also totally unremarkable, as it was devoid of any toppings (I don’t get why they couldn’t at least include a bit of chopped mushroom, green pepper, and/or chive). I did enjoy the foie gras starter, but that’s obviously not everyone’s cup of tea.
It wasn’t a bad flight, but it hasn’t made me want to fly with them again either- and my standards are so low that I am probably going to choose TAP next time!
I flew AA First LAX DCA yesterday afternoon with 3 course dinner after initial drinks and nuts.
Ice cream sundae with chocolate and raspberries no whipped cream or nuts is what I ordered Wonderful
Stick to AA then Bill, leave us alone then!!
Facts! Enjoy your Oasis cabin on AA!
Just remember you are eating all that sugar in the dairy. And is dairy really that good for you? It is inflammatory to your metabolism and increases your insulin response. Bad for your health. But nobody cares about that. Enjoy.
This all that sugar and dairy no thanks.
To me as a 1K, it’s really not a big surprise that it will take several years (just a guess) to get the ice cream/dessert cart back systemwide in the Polaris cabin the way it was. Why? That is exactly how long it took – several years – to get United Polaris service started systemwide in the first place. United really needs to get out of it’s own way.. that’s the REAL problem; as Matthew mentions, American and Delta both started 0ffering this exact service MONTHS ago.
I have flown three round trip Polaris flights in the last 12 months and the food has been horrific. As much as I like ice cream, they need to focus on improving their entrées before desserts.
Just please for the love of god never take away the pre-landing microwave cheeseburger with a side of a packaged muffin…because, you know, the teenager in me just lives for this in J.
The teenage me would rather have a packaged peanut butter brownie as a side for my microwave cheeseburger.
I wonder how much of the appeal is having a customized sundae prepared for you at your seat. Objectively, a sundae is a decent dessert. the equivalent of comfort food given you can it doused with lots of sugary sauces. There are lots of better airline desserts out there (on Turkish, ANA, JAL, Air France, Austrian, even British Airways), but I guess having it as a service goes a long way to it’s appeal.
Tend to agree. I never get the whole Sundae on a plane obsession with U.S. carriers as the ice cream normally has freezer burn or is rock hard. I nice pastry or cake selection I find to be much better.
A good start – keep up with the improvements – look forward to it rolling out more widely
If you want an ice cream sundae go to Baskin Robbins…..
is the FA union protesting the return of the sundaes?
What about Melbourne!!!!
Are we supposed to applaud this mediocrity? Restore Polaris catering to when it was first launched.