NEW YORK (AP) — United Airlines is upgrading first-class food options and replacing snacks with full meals on some of its shortest flights.
The carrier has been looking for ways to woo back some of its frequent business travelers who defected to other carriers following a rocky merger with Continental Airlines. United lags behind American and Delta in the number of planes with Wi-Fi, its on-time performance has slipped and a series of computer glitches have left passengers angry.
The meal changes come as American Airlines goes the other way, eliminating hot meals on most flights under 1,000 miles starting Sept. 1.
For United, passengers on flights of at least 800 miles will get hot meals such as chicken and mozzarella on a tomato focaccia roll or turkey and Swiss cheese on a cranberry baguette. Currently, meals are only served on flights of 900 miles or more — trips that usually last close to two hours.
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171-c-17-(Scott Mayerowitz (MAY’-ur-oh-witz), AP Airlines Writer)-“on the plane”-AP Airlines Writer Scott Mayerowitz reports United Airlines is improving first class meal offerings in a push to win over business travelers. (21 Aug 2014)
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172-c-15-(Scott Mayerowitz (MAY’-ur-oh-witz), AP Airlines Writer)-“two hours long”-AP Airlines Writer Scott Mayerowitz reports United Airlines is upgrading its first class food options on some flights. (21 Aug 2014)
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173-c-15-(Scott Mayerowitz (MAY’-ur-oh-witz), AP Airlines Writer)-“get them back”-AP Airlines Writer Scott Mayerowitz reports United Airlines is upgrading its meals in first class while other airlines are going in the opposite direction. (21 Aug 2014)
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APPHOTO NYBZ124: This product image provided by United Airlines shows a Strawberry Fields Salad, one of a variety of the airline’s new first class food options. The Chicago-based airline on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014 announced that it’s upgrading first class food options and replacing snacks with full meals on some of its shortest flights. (AP Photo/United Airlines) (12 Aug 2014)
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APPHOTO NYBZ125: This product image provided by United Airlines shows a Caprese on Asiago Baguette sandwich, one of a variety of the airline’s new first class food options. The Chicago-based airline on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014 announced that it’s upgrading first class food options and replacing snacks with full meals on some of its shortest flights. (AP Photo/United Airlines) (12 Aug 2014)
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