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Home » Meal of the Week » Impressive: United’s Free Coach Meals on Domestic Transcons
Meal of the WeekUnited Airlines

Impressive: United’s Free Coach Meals on Domestic Transcons

Matthew Klint Posted onDecember 6, 2017November 14, 2023 5 Comments

Upgrades are much more difficult when you purchase a same-day ticket. Yesterday was one of those days. Three urgent meetings in New York today meant a last-minute redeye yesterday. While my upgrade never cleared, it gave me a chance to sample one of United’s free meals in EconomyPlus on premium transcontinental flights. My midnight snack will be the subject of this week’s Meal of the Week.

Back in May, United expanded its premium transcontinental service to Boston and introduced complimentary meals in EconomyPlus. Thankfully, I typically score an upgrade on these routes so last night was my first time in economy class since the changes were made.

The redeye left at 10:40p, arriving into Newark at 6:20a earlier today. Although I wasn’t all that hungry, I simply could not pass up the opportunity to sample the food.

Service began shortly after takeoff with two choices offered: macaroni salad or chicken wrap. I took the wrap and was pleased to see the following placed before me:

food on a tray on a tray

It was actually the perfect “midnight snack” (that’s what the FA referred to the meal as). The wrap was light and it was not the nasty banquet-style chicken inside. In fact, the chipotle sauce inside the wrap made it something I would even eat at home.

a burrito in a pan

The meal came with fresh fruit, something sorely lacking on international United flights in economy. the grapes, cantaloupe, and honeydew were ripe as well.

a trays of fruit and cheesecake

Finally, the chocolate cheesecake was a perfect dessert. Admittedly, it was so rich I did not finish it, but very tasty…

This is on a 4hr40min domestic redeye…count me as impressed.

Before 8pm, United serves hot meals in EconomyPlus.

CONCLUSION

Last night’s snack was a very pleasant surprise. Within minutes of eating it I dozed off and did not awake until final approach into Newark.

Missing an upgrade is no fun, but at least United keeps you reasonably well fed in EconomyPlus.

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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5 Comments

  1. Mitch Cumstein Reply
    December 6, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    Everyone is waiting for your response to Swiss’ refusal to honor the first class awards and you’re blogging about chocolate cheesecake?

    • Matthew Reply
      December 6, 2017 at 5:26 pm

      All today’s posts were written early this morning before the latest Aeroplan news. I’ve been in meeting all day and about to go into my next one. A full, detailed, and scathing response will come tomorrow.

      • Sexy_Kitten7 Reply
        December 6, 2017 at 9:02 pm

        LOL Good! I have my scathing comment prepared too! Not kidding 😉

  2. Tennen Reply
    December 7, 2017 at 2:43 pm

    That actually looks pretty decent! 😮 As a 1K, could you also have gotten an additional drink + snack if you had wanted to?

    • Matthew Reply
      December 7, 2017 at 3:03 pm

      Yes, 1K were entitled to a free snack box and drink as well.

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