A teaser post on Instagram has me wondering if United Airlines might be bringing back McDonald’s onboard? Let’s take a look at the history of their past partnership and whether it could return.
Is McDonald’s Making A Comeback On United Airlines Flights?
Back in the 1990s, United Airlines partnered with McDonald’s to offer “Friendly Skies Meals” for kids. These inflight meals were essentially Happy Meals at 35,000 feet—featuring items like cheeseburgers or hamburgers served with applesauce, cookies, milk, and even a toy.
The promotion started as a fun perk on flights to Orlando and later expanded systemwide. The McDonald’s-branded packaging made the offering especially memorable (even for me as a kid flying the 777 for the first time in 1996). United even collaborated on toy designs, making it a highly coordinated brand effort.
Despite the appeal, the offering quietly disappeared: the reasons weren’t entirely clear, but changing onboard service standards (the elimination of meals onbaord domesitc lights) and rising costs doubtlessly played a role.
Why It’s Back In The Spotlight
This week, United posted a teaser on Instagram showing Grimace, a classic McDonald’s character (Ronald McDonald’s best friend), festooned to its premium economy seat. Both are purple. McDonald’s was also tagged, seeing aviation geeks and nostalgic flyers into a frenzy. Could the partnership really return?
View this post on Instagram
What trip is that? A trip down memory lane?
So far, United hasn’t confirmed any details. It’s possible the teaser is just a nod to nostalgia, or maybe a short-term promo at a hub like Chicago O’Hare, where both companies are headquartered. Or maybe nothing at all? We shall see…
Could McDonald’s Meals Return to United Flights?
I think it would be very smart to bring back Happy Meals onboard United flight:
- Nostalgia Sells: The throwback appeal is undeniable and could generate buzz, especially with families
- Brand Synergy: United and McDonald’s both have deep Chicago roots, making collaboration natural
- Marketing Opportunity: Even if limited to airport lounges or buy-on-board menus, the branding potential is high
If Delta can do it with Shake Shack, United can do it with McDonald’s!
CONCLUSION
The idea of bringing McDonald’s back to United Airlines flights taps into fond memories for many frequent flyers. I’m no sure what this teaser is about, but for those who remember Happy Meals in the sky, the nostalgia is real! I’m amazed at how vividly I recall those McDonald’s meals on my LAX-ORD 777-200 flight…what a clever marketing ploy.
I’m not sure McDonalds aligns with the premium image United is striving to achieve. Shake Shack and McDonalds are leagues apart. I have not eaten McDonalds in more than 20 years, but other than the nostalgia play I don’t know that this would make people want to buy it on board. The recent Economy Class burgers are better than what McDonalds would offer (from my distant memories) and Shake Shack is in First on Delta. I don’t see McDonalds coming up front. Curious to see what shakes out here.
I’d think this would be targeted at kids, not grown-ups, like the original promotion from way back when. I can’t speak for everyone, but my son would be all over this (yes, the BOB burgers are better, but you can’t legislate taste to a 9-year old…).
P.S. Matthew, keep the clickbait story if you must, but PLEASE get rid of the silhouette of the cockroach on your landing page. It’s disgusting and not what I needed to see as I sat down at my desk with my snack…
We hope not; McD’s food is so un healthy for children and adults; from artificial yellow cheese to plain head lettuce (rather than romaine) to greasy fr. fries ; how cheap could they search; it would ruin United’s image further, especially, if they’re trying to capture greater market share from Asian carriers across the Pacific. They need to follow in Singapore Air’s foot steps in food catering & service.
Although I avoid McDonalds , I would accept it ONLY IF : UA hired ‘Sydney Sweeney and her jeans’ for an advertising campaign .
The first airline which hires ‘Sydney Sweeney and her jeans’ will be my first choice .
You beez all racis an sheeet according to the left.
I’d rather have Sydney Sweeney without her jeans on my flight.
You MAGA subjects relish in your immaturity and stupidity. How’s that working for you in real life? I thought so….no wonder you have the time to post such nonsense.
Meanwhile the rest of us keep getting wiser and richer…..
If Mickey Ds offers McRibs in economy, I will return to flying United. Just make sure there’s no pickles or onions on them.
I’d rather the Texas Air Corporation (which current UA really is) stay true to their Texas roots and have some good BBQ or original Carrabba’s on the skies
If we’re keeping with the fast-food burger theme, the natural Texas connection would be Whataburger – which is far better than McDreck, Shake Shake, or In-n-Out. And their breakfast burritos are also far better than any of the domestic first breakfasts that UA is serving right now and I suspect that they’d re-heat rather well
As a native Texan and self-appointed BBQ snob, I’m here to tell you that brisket reheated in an airplane oven would be an abomination of the highest order. However, I wholeheartedly endorse Neal’s Whataburger idea (though since we’re talking about a Houston-based airline, a tie-up with the Pappas cartel arguably makes more sense.
How were our parents convinced that milk and boxes of raisins were healthy things to serve to children?
The McD’s brand has suffered for the past 2 decades as they transformed more into a poor man’s Starbucks. Have you noticed? Bland color palette, lack of children signage, and they even removed most of the playgrounds which, in my neighborhood, attracted vagrants to the areas they removed the playground in.
Parents would have fun drinking coffee or eating burgers while the kids ran around in the play area building nostalgic memories, as Matt put it. Win-win. Yes, McD’s food isn’t health food, but kids can afford to eat some calorie rich food if they burn it off.
The coffee is pretty good, the ice cream (when the machine works!), and breakfast is good. Co-Branded happy meals would be ingenious.
I prefer mickeys coffee to Starbucks. A year or so ago they changed the hamburger formula and the dog wouldn’t touch it.
My wife agrees that the regular patty flavor of McD’s is ok, but not somehow as good as before. I don’t think it’s the issue of them being frozen. A neighbor had some leftover frozen beef patties in his fridge, not fancy or anything, and they came out perfectly fine on the grill. Something is up with the recipe.
That said, their chicken tenders are pretty good, the crispy nuggets have a special flavor to them, and like you said, the coffee is darn good now (like the overheated watered down stuff from my childhood).
Starbucks is turning out to beat Starbucks and McD’s on coffee in that I can get unlimited syrups for free which I take advantage of grabbing lots of Hazlenut and Vanilla flavors in a sugar free coffee which is great for my diet.
FYI, I’ve lost 35 lbs so far on a McD’s double cheeseburger diet: I eat ONE for dinner after a breakfast of banana. NOTHING else before working out after dinner. Muscle build is coming along well, but I’m going to add some protein powder to my post-workout.
I was told that the plain ( dog burgers) were arriving cooked and frozen. However when it was rejected by the chow hound it smelt like those weird fried onions that are a topping for casseroles. Idk, but I’ll take their coffee when needed! Congrats on the weight loss. : )
Bring back obesity, sure.
I’ll take McDonald’s any day over the horrid Indian food UA used to try and force on F pax. Same goes for the vile kale-quinoa hipster chow.