United Airlines will launch new dishware in its premium cabins starting in May, first on longhaul flights and later on domestic flights.
United Airlines Will Update Dishware In Premium Cabins
A memo to flight attendants by John Slater, United’s Senior Vice President of Inflight Services, notes that new plates, bowls, utensils, and glassware are coming:
We’re thrilled to share that we’re launching brand-new dishware to take our customers’ dining experience to new heights! Starting in May, new plates, bowls, utensils, glassware and more will bring a fresh touch of elegance to international flights. Domestic flights will see the same tableware transformation in June.
The transition will begin in May 2025 with international flights followed by domestic flights in June.
Might it look like this?
> Read More: United Airlines Teases New Polaris Business Class Tableware
New Dishware Is Fine, But Focus On The Food, Please…
I give United a lot of credit for greatly improving its beverage menu in recent months. Not only have the wine selections broadened, but the quality has improved. United now serves Laurent-Perrier La Cuvé Champagne. Cocktails have been added, as has Cold Brew from illy.
In terms of drinks, I’d say the only thing United is missing is espresso and fresh-squeezed orange juice (one can dream…).
But the food is another matter. Yes, the food has become marginally better onboard…but I think most frequent United flyers would agree that both domestically and internationally, the food still lags behind all major competitors (including Alaska, American, Delta, and JetBlue). There are glimmers of hope–like the recently-upgraded meal service on premium transcontinental routes–but sorry, the quality of the chicken, beef, fish, and pasta onboard…and even little things like the salad and bread…leave much to be desired.
I guess I’m one of the few people who like the dishes and glasses now (pictured above)…I think they are fine and more unique than on American or Delta…but really it’s more about priorities. New dishware is fine, but I’d certainly like to see United upgrade the qualities of its meals first.
It’s really the little things. Like when you order a salad onboard, would it kill United to offer a choice of dressings? And maybe some nice crusty bread? And a protein on the side that does not taste like processed deli meat? It’s all about the budget…for a little bit more United could offer nice bread and butter or the sort of chicken and beef I would eat at home, not the sort of processed meat that I would not feed to my emotional support dog…(I jest).
United has a great opportunity to build upon so many recent improvements and offer better food onboard…the sort of food like the short ribs on Delta that I actually look forward to.
CONCLUSION
United will introduce new dishware, including glasses, starting in May and I’m curious if the change will be more of an evolution or revolution. In the meantime, though, the most important thing United can do is focus on the quality of its food, just as it has more recently focused on the quality of its beverages. Without that, the new dishware really won’t mean much.
images: United Airlines
i wonder if we can buy the old dishware???
you cannot; it’s being donated to the charity they partner with.
Well that sucks!
I’m more interested in them introducing better food than better dishware.
Amen!! Crappy food in new dishware.. big deal.
Just as long as they get rid of those awful TV-dinner style plates I see this as a win.
I agree. While I am happy to have meal service, those plates just look and feel… odd.
Does having to plate the catered meals mean the return of the dedicated galley FA? Or is UA handing the empty dishes to pax and having a buffet line?
Premium dishware won’t save people from the dog chow that is UA catering.
Did they buy this new ‘premium product’ at IKEA? I have some just like it, bought it in the sale.
Are you talking about the top picture or the bottom picture?
I appreciate the Polaris wine upgrade, it takes United off my ‘no buy’ list – the quality of the food on my recent LAX-LHR improved – decent quality balik style smoked salmon.
If they can get to a proper sized salad vs a small cup, preferably served as its own course with dressing choice, and elevate the main a bit (even if a smaller portion) they have a winner.
Domestic first food needs a lot of help. Commodity level offering, or worse than the standard on others.
And yet it isn’t impossible to have fresh squeezed orange juice – or restaurant-quality food for that matter.
If a smallish airline like Gulf Air can do these things, so can United. Their catering, especially out of FRA, was top-notch in J. Pasta was perfect, and the freshly-squeezed orange juice was fantastic too.
It’s amazing how your readers
Bitch about absolutely everything.
The size of an airline line United requires major logistics and replacing dish-ware is a big undertaking
The revised menus are in the works. The catering and provisioning food supplies in stations that provide catering is a whole different logistical issue.
The revised menus are coming. Stop complaining about the dumb stuff. NO one chooses a flight or an airline based on catering but you sure bitch about the inconsequential crap.