United Airlines is now offering passengers the option to pre-order snacks and beverages. The airline proudly states that it is first and only US airline to offer economy customers the option to pre-order snacks and beverages. It states that this service is a reflection of the customer transformation experience that is currently underway at the airline.
Pre-order snacks and beverages
Passengers travelling on United Airlines – irrespective of what cabin of service they are flying in – can use the airline’s Mobile App and the Website to pre-order meals, snacks and beverages up to five days before they’re scheduled to travel.
Toby Enqvist, Chief Customer Officer, United Airlines, said:
Our new pre-order option reflects the customer experience transformation taking place at United – customers in our economy cabins will have an easy, convenient way to choose their snack or drink, and our flight attendants can move through the cabin faster, delivering more personalized service. This new feature also builds on our existing contactless payment technology, which has enabled us to safely resume our inflight food and beverage program on select flights.
How does this work?
Five days prior to departure, passengers will see an option in the Reservation Details section of the United app or on United.com to pre-order food and beverage items available for their specific flight. Additionally, passengers will also receive an email notifying them when pre-order is available.
Those flying in economy class can pre-order snacks and beverages from United’s buy-on-board menu. They will be asked to enter their credit card information but will not be charged until the items are served to them onboard.
Passengers travelling in the premium cabins can select their meal option directly from the United app or website. Once they make their selection, they will get a receipt emailed to them.
Furthermore, for passengers who are looking to purchase drinks and snack items while onboard, United’s contactless payment platform allows them to store their payment information in a digital wallet on the United app and on United.com prior to departure. Once on board, passengers can access a menu to view available items either on the United app or in Hemispheres magazine. Rather than handing the flight attendant a credit card, the flight attendant will ask for the passenger’s name and seat to confirm the card on file. Once confirmed, passengers will receive their products and the card on file will be charged.
Stay up to date: Sign up for my newsletter to never miss latest Aviation and Travel news.
About United’s new Buy-On-Board menu
The Chicago-based carrier recently unveiled its refreshed buy-on-board menu, which includes a wide variety of food and beverage offerings including:
- Adult Beverage Options: Mango White Claw; red, white and sparkling wine, and new beer options such as Breckenridge Brewery Juice Drop Hazy IPA and Michelob ULTRA.
- Three New Snack Boxes: A Tapas snack box with European-inspired offerings; a Takeoff snack box with high-protein options; a Recline snack box with movie theater themed treats.
- A la Carte Snack Options: Including chips, dips, trail mix and chocolate-covered dried fruit.
The carrier also introduced brand-new meal offerings to customers seated in domestic premium cabins on flights over 1,500 miles and hub-to-hub flights over 800 miles.
- The ‘enhanced’ meal service includes a choice of entrees – including fresher options like egg scramble with plant-based chorizo and grilled chicken breast with orzo and lemon basil pesto – sides and dessert.
- United has also teamed with Eli’s Cheesecake to create a uniquely United chocolate pie flavor called “Pie in the Sky.”
- The meals will be served on one tray, with items individually wrapped, to limit person-to-person contact.
United’s pre-order technology is available now for flights departing on or after 2nd August 2021. The technology will initially be available on flights from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport, Sacramento International Airport, Orange County’s John Wayne Airport and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The airline states that it will expand this technology to all flights over 1,500 miles by early fall.
Meanwhile, United is heavily investing on Carbon-Free aircraft. The airline recently announced that it will buy up to 50 Supersonic aircraft from BOOM Aerospace. The Chicago-based carrier is also investing in airplanes that have lower carbon emissions. It includes the airline’s recent order of 200 Boeing B737MAX and 70 Airbus A321neo aircraft. It is also eyeing flying electric aircraft by 2026.
The airline recently added nearly 150 flights to Warm-Weather cities for Winter season and three brand-new Transcontinental routes.
Featured image by United
What do you think of United introducing the option to pre-order snacks and beverages? Let me know in the comments section below.
Follow IH Aviation and Travel on Social Media on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.