Good Airplane Food on United?
July 22, 2010 6:56 PM Subscribe
What are the best special meal orders on United Airlines' international flights? I haven't been fed on an airplane in years, I want to enjoy the experience.
Economy class IAD-LHR in this case, though any advice is welcome.
Economy class IAD-LHR in this case, though any advice is welcome.
If you wanted to enjoy airplane food, you should have flown Emirates... it's actually half decent as opposed to what American airlines serve.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 7:22 PM on July 22, 2010
posted by treehorn+bunny at 7:22 PM on July 22, 2010
"I haven't been fed on an airplane in years, I want to enjoy the experience."
Then bring your own food.
Seriously, the best airline food I ever had, even in first class, could at best be classified as "not completely vomitous." On an international flight, I prefer to take a couple xanax and a few stiff drinks, whereupon the destination seems to appear magically.
Sorry I don't have a better answer to your question.
posted by mikeand1 at 7:22 PM on July 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Then bring your own food.
Seriously, the best airline food I ever had, even in first class, could at best be classified as "not completely vomitous." On an international flight, I prefer to take a couple xanax and a few stiff drinks, whereupon the destination seems to appear magically.
Sorry I don't have a better answer to your question.
posted by mikeand1 at 7:22 PM on July 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
If you want good food on a U.S. carrier, you will have to bring it yourself. :(
Otherwise, there are usually two choices for economy passengers: something with meat/poultry/fish, and something vegetarian (this is usually pasta). This is not good food. Sometimes it's actively bad. You get a wee entree and usually a wee salad with terrible packaged dressing and a wee roll with "butter", or packaged crackers and cheese.
I have also had special-order vegetarian food (meh) and special-order kosher food (meh). There is no way to get decent food. The system and its tiny packaged rolls will win.
The food on long-haul flights pretty much exists to distract the passengers at intervals and keep them from freaking out.
posted by thehmsbeagle at 7:25 PM on July 22, 2010 [2 favorites]
Otherwise, there are usually two choices for economy passengers: something with meat/poultry/fish, and something vegetarian (this is usually pasta). This is not good food. Sometimes it's actively bad. You get a wee entree and usually a wee salad with terrible packaged dressing and a wee roll with "butter", or packaged crackers and cheese.
I have also had special-order vegetarian food (meh) and special-order kosher food (meh). There is no way to get decent food. The system and its tiny packaged rolls will win.
The food on long-haul flights pretty much exists to distract the passengers at intervals and keep them from freaking out.
posted by thehmsbeagle at 7:25 PM on July 22, 2010 [2 favorites]
Yeah, sorry. Gotta go first to get anything worth looking forward to. Depends on the airline and the flight, even then.
posted by cmoj at 7:26 PM on July 22, 2010
posted by cmoj at 7:26 PM on July 22, 2010
Well let's see. Over on airlinemeals.net a fellow recently flew United Economy from IAD to DEN to OAK. I can't find a way to link directly to the review. It was accompanied by a picture of a curry-type dish with rice. He gave it an 8/10.
The reviewer said "My travel profile specifies Hindu meals because I have found this to be a better choice while in travel than the usual hot-fat, heavily-processed US cuisine. I was not disappointed. The rice was aromatic and properly cooked, the vegetables while generic were not overcooked, and the sauce had some real character to us."
That was on a domestic flight, so I would expect an international one to be a bit better still. On the other hand, the flight was from 2003, so things have probably gone downhill since then.
Another reviewer ordered the vegetarian meal on a 2004 flight from SFO to LHR on United Economy. He rated it 6/10. The meal consisted of "rice, mixed vegetables, salad with lemon, mushrooms, other vegetables, balsamic vinaigrette, apple, lemon cookies" of which the lemon cookies were the standout. However, other vegetarian meals got worse reviews (4/10, 1/10, 6/10 with comment "uninspired but edible").
A reviewer who chose the Asian vegetarian meal on a flight from Singapore to Tokyo gave his meal of noodles, tofu, and fruit an 8/10.
I would personally guess the Hindu option would be a good one, and it should be available on a flight to London. South Asian food tends to be heavy on sauce and spices, which beats dry airline chicken any day.
posted by jedicus at 7:30 PM on July 22, 2010 [4 favorites]
The reviewer said "My travel profile specifies Hindu meals because I have found this to be a better choice while in travel than the usual hot-fat, heavily-processed US cuisine. I was not disappointed. The rice was aromatic and properly cooked, the vegetables while generic were not overcooked, and the sauce had some real character to us."
That was on a domestic flight, so I would expect an international one to be a bit better still. On the other hand, the flight was from 2003, so things have probably gone downhill since then.
Another reviewer ordered the vegetarian meal on a 2004 flight from SFO to LHR on United Economy. He rated it 6/10. The meal consisted of "rice, mixed vegetables, salad with lemon, mushrooms, other vegetables, balsamic vinaigrette, apple, lemon cookies" of which the lemon cookies were the standout. However, other vegetarian meals got worse reviews (4/10, 1/10, 6/10 with comment "uninspired but edible").
A reviewer who chose the Asian vegetarian meal on a flight from Singapore to Tokyo gave his meal of noodles, tofu, and fruit an 8/10.
I would personally guess the Hindu option would be a good one, and it should be available on a flight to London. South Asian food tends to be heavy on sauce and spices, which beats dry airline chicken any day.
posted by jedicus at 7:30 PM on July 22, 2010 [4 favorites]
The food is nothing special, really. I always order "Hindu vegetarian" and it's always been some combination of rice/lentils/beans (meh).
Some more details here.
posted by prenominal at 7:33 PM on July 22, 2010
Some more details here.
posted by prenominal at 7:33 PM on July 22, 2010
Best answer: The veggie meal on United economy westbound from LHR last may was a delicious curry. The halal meal was a similar curry with lamb meat. My SFO eastbound veggie meal was the regular stuff, and nothing at all when they handed out turkey sandwiches.
The meals weren't enough, even after smiling at the stewardesses for seconds. Next time I'll bring sandwiches and empty bottles to fill from the faucets after the security check.
posted by stereo at 7:34 PM on July 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
The meals weren't enough, even after smiling at the stewardesses for seconds. Next time I'll bring sandwiches and empty bottles to fill from the faucets after the security check.
posted by stereo at 7:34 PM on July 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Just make sure the cultures don't clash:
In the 1980s my boss ordered Kosher meals on a Japan Airlines flight.
I was there when the stewardess brought it to him.
It was wrapped in foil, and had "DO NOT DEFROST" in large type on it.
Below that, in small print, were the microwave instructions.
But the airline staff never got past the large type--it was served wrapped and frozen.
On a plate.
He did not eat it.
posted by hexatron at 7:35 PM on July 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
In the 1980s my boss ordered Kosher meals on a Japan Airlines flight.
I was there when the stewardess brought it to him.
It was wrapped in foil, and had "DO NOT DEFROST" in large type on it.
Below that, in small print, were the microwave instructions.
But the airline staff never got past the large type--it was served wrapped and frozen.
On a plate.
He did not eat it.
posted by hexatron at 7:35 PM on July 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Flown United from DEN to LHR. There are no good options. Seriously.
Even with my frequent upgrades I don't ever rely on domestic carriers for their food. Sometimes I'm surprised - as I recently way on A BOS > SFO flight with a good breakfast but most of the time I enjoy a snack and lotsa booze and sleep away my long haul flights.
posted by FlamingBore at 8:01 PM on July 22, 2010
Even with my frequent upgrades I don't ever rely on domestic carriers for their food. Sometimes I'm surprised - as I recently way on A BOS > SFO flight with a good breakfast but most of the time I enjoy a snack and lotsa booze and sleep away my long haul flights.
posted by FlamingBore at 8:01 PM on July 22, 2010
A flight attendant did us a favor when we were flying from Vietnam -> SFO and hooked us up with the Indian Vegetarian meal. It was...palatable.
posted by gnutron at 8:06 PM on July 22, 2010
posted by gnutron at 8:06 PM on July 22, 2010
Bring your favorite hearty sandwich, with plenty of protein and vegetables. If you're taking a long flight and want a hot meal, I always recommend ramen.
posted by acidic at 9:03 PM on July 22, 2010
posted by acidic at 9:03 PM on July 22, 2010
I always go with normal food on international flights – and I fly internationally (US to abroad) multiple times a year. You have to tone down your expectations, of course.
I also do the following, which I swear by: my 3 ounces of carry-on fluid is tabasco sauce. Tabasco spices up and adds flavor to bland entrées and breakfasts and makes everything great. You, of course, can substitute some other spice. Cholula might work out well, too.
Lowered expectations and hot sauce will get you through any international flights. Oh, and be nice to the flight attendants.
posted by barnacles at 9:29 PM on July 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
I also do the following, which I swear by: my 3 ounces of carry-on fluid is tabasco sauce. Tabasco spices up and adds flavor to bland entrées and breakfasts and makes everything great. You, of course, can substitute some other spice. Cholula might work out well, too.
Lowered expectations and hot sauce will get you through any international flights. Oh, and be nice to the flight attendants.
posted by barnacles at 9:29 PM on July 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
I agree with barnacles. It's food to prevent you from dying on the plane. If you want a gourmet meal, have it on the ground.
(Honestly though, I don't mind the food. The pre-landing pizza that AA serves on westbound TATL flights is quite tasty. The partially-japanese meals that they serve on TPAC flights are better than some food I've had in restaurants. And whatever random food you get in First or Business actually looks like real food, and has some flavor. All in all, I can't really complain. But I am not at all picky.)
posted by jrockway at 9:36 PM on July 22, 2010
(Honestly though, I don't mind the food. The pre-landing pizza that AA serves on westbound TATL flights is quite tasty. The partially-japanese meals that they serve on TPAC flights are better than some food I've had in restaurants. And whatever random food you get in First or Business actually looks like real food, and has some flavor. All in all, I can't really complain. But I am not at all picky.)
posted by jrockway at 9:36 PM on July 22, 2010
I always get the Indian (or Hindu, or whatever the specific airline calls it) meal. It's usually a rice curry of some kind, and I think it's usually pretty good.
posted by Bella Sebastian at 10:50 PM on July 22, 2010
posted by Bella Sebastian at 10:50 PM on July 22, 2010
As others have said, the best thing you can get in economy is usually the Vegetarian Hindu meal. Don't count on these being available unless you let the airline know in advance (ideally on their website, but failing that at the check-in desk).
The breakfasts (which you'll be served on flights inbound to Europe) are uniformly dreadful. Bring your own or eat a banana and wait until you land.
posted by caek at 1:26 AM on July 23, 2010
The breakfasts (which you'll be served on flights inbound to Europe) are uniformly dreadful. Bring your own or eat a banana and wait until you land.
posted by caek at 1:26 AM on July 23, 2010
When I'm departing mid-day or later, I like going to any convenient chain restaurant (think Applebee's, Chili's, TGIF, or if you're blessed to be in Denver - Ted's Montana Grill) and ordering a salad with some protein (chicken, bison, etc.) for take-away. They'll give it to you with some plastic cutlery but you can always use what they have on the plane.
Last time I flew United I think it was LAX-LHR and now that I work for a non-profit its always economy class, and as I recall they weren't even offering free booze in economy. Hopefully it'll be the last time I ever have to fly them internationally. Personally I prefer Emirates via Dubai whenever I return to the states these days. I'd gladly be on a plane for 2+ more hours if it means decent service from friendly staff, an edible meal, and plenty to drink. Plus they have like a billion movies.
posted by allkindsoftime at 1:38 AM on July 23, 2010
Last time I flew United I think it was LAX-LHR and now that I work for a non-profit its always economy class, and as I recall they weren't even offering free booze in economy. Hopefully it'll be the last time I ever have to fly them internationally. Personally I prefer Emirates via Dubai whenever I return to the states these days. I'd gladly be on a plane for 2+ more hours if it means decent service from friendly staff, an edible meal, and plenty to drink. Plus they have like a billion movies.
posted by allkindsoftime at 1:38 AM on July 23, 2010
The last time I flew United they did a really nice fruit platter option, which was light but delicious and fresh. It consisted of slices of melon, some strawberries, grapes, pineapple orange, a small banana. There was also cheese and crackers and a dessert. Everyone sitting round me was jealous they hadn't ordered it.
These days I fly American (for convenience) and their food sucks except for the halal and, (hangs head in shame) the pizza, which is oddly addictive.
posted by essexjan at 2:57 AM on July 23, 2010
These days I fly American (for convenience) and their food sucks except for the halal and, (hangs head in shame) the pizza, which is oddly addictive.
posted by essexjan at 2:57 AM on July 23, 2010
I (a vegetarian) definitely agree that the best meal to order is Asian Vegetarian/Hindu. I've done a fair bit of flying over the years and--without question--the worst meal I have ever had was a vegetarian meal on United flying from Sydney to LA. In fact, both meals on that flight were dreadful. Dinner was a small portion of mushy rice with about two tablespoons of flavourless tomato paste and breakfast was a mystery substance that could have been potato or egg (I still have no idea) with lukewarm tomatoes. They were absolutely dreadful. Be ye not so foolish! I've been ordering Asian veg meals ever since and, while airplane food is never going to be super delicious, they at least have some flavour. Oh, don't forget that special meals must be ordered at least 24-48 hours in advance!
posted by lumiere at 5:36 AM on July 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by lumiere at 5:36 AM on July 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
No one seems to have mentioned that special meals often/usually get handed out first, which can be awkward if you're waiting 20 minutes for the damn drink cart to get to you! :) Bring your own water in this case...
To request a meal, just call the normal reservations line and request your meal. Do it at least a few days in advance, though!
posted by mdonley at 6:40 AM on July 23, 2010
To request a meal, just call the normal reservations line and request your meal. Do it at least a few days in advance, though!
posted by mdonley at 6:40 AM on July 23, 2010
I always make sure to order vegan. I get my food before everyone else and it's typically something delicious and not too processed. Vegetarian for a lot of places means noodles covered in cheese, which isn't usually the best body fuel when you're on a long flight.
posted by theraflu at 6:41 AM on July 23, 2010
posted by theraflu at 6:41 AM on July 23, 2010
It's almost definitely changed by now, but being lactose-intolerant I used to order the vegan meal on United when flying to Houston from Denver when I was in grad school, and it was one of the better airline meals I've had, which admittedly isn't saying a lot. At the time it was some sort of rice dish with asparagus accompanied by, I think, bread and a salad.
posted by telophase at 8:28 AM on July 23, 2010
posted by telophase at 8:28 AM on July 23, 2010
Flying United in Business class, I got reheated bread with slices of tomato and cucumber. Same for the next meal. And the next. Thankfully, Business class meant very helpful flight attendants who got me a cheese tray and some nice cheesecake.
Flying Air Canada in Economy, I've consistently gotten tasty Indian-inspired meal. Rice + curried chickpeas with salad, compote, and a granola bar. Or rice + mini veggie samosas + veggie curry. I've never been disappointed.
Lesson? I will never fly United again.
posted by snoogles at 6:08 PM on July 23, 2010
Flying Air Canada in Economy, I've consistently gotten tasty Indian-inspired meal. Rice + curried chickpeas with salad, compote, and a granola bar. Or rice + mini veggie samosas + veggie curry. I've never been disappointed.
Lesson? I will never fly United again.
posted by snoogles at 6:08 PM on July 23, 2010
(This is ordering Vegetarian, sorry I didn't specify!)
posted by snoogles at 6:08 PM on July 23, 2010
posted by snoogles at 6:08 PM on July 23, 2010
I've had the vegan meal on United once before and it was AMAZINGGGG.
I don't even remember what exactly it was, but it did come with an awesome vegan chocolate chip cookie.
This was a few years ago though and airline meals have gotten cut back pretty far since then.
posted by CarolynG at 8:15 AM on July 24, 2010
I don't even remember what exactly it was, but it did come with an awesome vegan chocolate chip cookie.
This was a few years ago though and airline meals have gotten cut back pretty far since then.
posted by CarolynG at 8:15 AM on July 24, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by nevercalm at 7:20 PM on July 22, 2010