When passengers book a long-haul international flight, onboard dining becomes more than a convenience, it’s part of the overall travel experience. United Airlines, one of the largest carriers in the U.S., knows this well. From economy passengers to business travelers in United Polaris, the airline has steadily improved its inflight catering services, particularly on intercontinental routes.
This guide offers a detailed breakdown of what travelers can expect from United’s food menu on international flights, including what’s served in each cabin class, how menus vary by region, and how special meal requests are handled.
What meals does United Airlines serve on international long-haul flights?
United Airlines provides up to three meal services on long-haul flights exceeding 8 hours, depending on the time of day and route. The airline classifies these as:
- Main meal shortly after takeoff
- Mid-flight snack or light refreshment
- Pre-arrival meal (typically breakfast or a second hot dish)
Meal type and quality vary significantly by cabin class. Economy offers a basic meal with limited choices, while United Polaris Business Class delivers a more elevated dining experience with multiple courses and curated wines.
Special meals catering to dietary, religious, or medical needs are available in all classes but must be ordered at least 24 hours before departure. This applies to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, and other medically restricted diets.
What food is served in Economy Class on international flights?
Passengers flying in United’s international Economy Class receive a hot main meal within the first 90 minutes after departure. The tray includes:
- A hot entrée (e.g., pasta or chicken dish)
- A side salad or grain-based side
- A bread roll with butter
- Dessert, often a packaged brownie or mousse
- A full beverage service, including soft drinks, tea, coffee, beer, and wine
About halfway through the flight, United typically offers a snack such as a sandwich or packaged item like a granola bar or chips. A second hot snack or breakfast is provided prior to landing, depending on arrival time.
Examples from recent flights:
- Amsterdam–Chicago: Pasta with tomato sauce, green salad, bread, and a cookie. Mid-flight croissant sandwich. Pre-arrival breakfast pastry and yogurt.
- Frankfurt–Newark: Chicken with rice and vegetables, side quinoa salad, brownie. Mid-flight cheese snack box. Pre-landing scrambled eggs with fruit.
Economy meals are consistent but basic. Passengers note improvements in taste and packaging since 2022, though options remain limited.
What does United Premium Plus offer in terms of meals?
United’s Premium Plus sits between Economy and Business in both seat comfort and inflight dining. Passengers in this cabin receive:
- A multi-course meal on real porcelain dishware
- A choice between two entrées, often inspired by regional cuisines
- Real cutlery, cloth napkin, and glassware
- Complimentary beer, wine, and premium spirits
Service mimics Polaris standards in presentation but offers fewer choices. Meals are more substantial than in Economy, and snacks are often warm (e.g., grilled panini, hot pretzels).
Sample Premium Plus meal:
- Starter: Couscous and beet salad
- Entrée: Grilled chicken with creamy polenta or vegetable lasagna
- Dessert: Salted caramel mousse
- Pre-arrival meal: Egg and cheese frittata with roasted potatoes
Feedback from frequent flyers indicates Premium Plus meals offer better seasoning, texture, and freshness than Economy offerings.
What does United Polaris (Business Class) serve on long-haul flights?
Polaris Business Class is where United showcases its premium dining program. The service includes:
- Pre-departure beverages (champagne or signature cocktail)
- Multi-course meals, including appetizer, entrée, and dessert
- Mid-flight snack options such as tapas boxes, noodle bowls, or sandwiches
- Pre-arrival breakfast or brunch service
Meals are plated restaurant-style, not in pre-packaged trays. A rotating menu designed by chefs and wine consultants emphasizes quality ingredients and regional inspiration.
Example Polaris meal on a Europe–US route:
- Appetizer: Smoked salmon with dill cream and capers
- Main: Short ribs with mashed potatoes and roasted carrots, or seared sea bass with herb rice
- Dessert: United’s signature ice cream sundae trolley with toppings
- Cheese plate and fruit available on request
Polaris also offers a self-serve snack bar and personalized wine pairing recommendations. The wine list typically includes selections from California, France, and South America.
What special meals can be pre-ordered?
United allows passengers to request special meals for health, religious, or dietary reasons. These must be selected at least 24 hours prior to departure via “My Trips” on the United website or mobile app.
Available meal types include:
- Vegetarian (Lacto-Ovo, Asian, Jain)
- Vegan
- Gluten-Free
- Kosher
- Halal
- Diabetic
- Low-sodium
- Low-fat
- Child meal
- Low-lactose
Special meals are available in all cabins but follow a standardized layout. Kosher meals are typically provided by certified caterers such as Borenstein or Stogel, while halal options follow strict sourcing guidelines.
These meals are often simpler in presentation but meet strict preparation standards.
How does the food menu vary by international route?
United adapts menus to match regional preferences, with noticeable differences on flights to Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Typical variations include:
- Asia-bound flights (e.g., to Tokyo or Singapore): Miso soup, rice bowls, noodle dishes, green tea
- Europe-bound flights (e.g., to Amsterdam or Frankfurt): Pasta, roasted meats, cheese plates, crusty bread
- Latin America-bound flights (e.g., São Paulo, Buenos Aires): Chicken and rice, black beans, tropical fruit, dulce de leche desserts
Seasonal ingredients and holidays also influence menus. For example, Polaris flights to Europe may feature holiday-themed desserts in December.
How fresh and nutritious is the food onboard?
United’s inflight meals are prepared 12–24 hours before the flight by contracted catering providers like Gate Gourmet and DO & CO. Dishes are chilled and loaded onto aircraft in insulated carts before being reheated in convection ovens at cruising altitude.
Nutritional profile:
- Main meals average between 600–800 kcal
- Salt content ranges between 1.8–2.5g per serving
- Balanced options (low-fat, high-protein) are available in special meal selections
Meal freshness varies by cabin, with Polaris and Premium Plus receiving higher-quality ingredients and more careful plating.
The airline has invested in improving the quality of reheated dishes by reformulating sauces and switching to higher-retention packaging.
Are snacks and drinks included during the flight?
Yes, complimentary snacks and beverages are available across all cabins on long-haul international flights.
Inclusions by cabin:
- Economy: Complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks. Water and coffee service every 2–3 hours. One packaged snack per service period.
- Premium Plus: Expanded beverage list with premium wines and liquors. Hot snacks such as empanadas or wraps.
- Polaris: Access to a dedicated self-service snack area in the galley. Warm items like noodle cups and charcuterie boxes available on request.
Alcohol is complimentary in all cabins except Basic Economy (on select domestic routes). Passengers can also bring their own non-alcoholic snacks onboard.
How does United Airlines rank for inflight dining?
According to Skytrax ratings and user reviews from platforms such as TripAdvisor and FlyerTalk, United Airlines has made steady improvements in inflight catering since 2022.
Ratings overview:
- Polaris Business Class meals: 4/5 stars
- Premium Plus meals: 3.5/5 stars
- Economy Class meals: 3/5 stars
Frequent flyers note significant upgrades in the Polaris menu, especially on transatlantic and Pacific routes. United’s use of DO & CO catering on select Polaris routes has been positively received, drawing favorable comparisons to Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines.
Compared to Delta and American Airlines, United ranks competitively in Business Class but lags slightly in Economy meal quality.