It’s not that they don’t want to sell it, they don’t want to hear people pitching a fit when they show up to the airport and learn about all the restrictions for the first time. United knows the average consumer, and the avg consumer tends to be a moron in this country. The lack of food available for purchase is very frustrating. The catering in first is often pathetic when flying from an outstation vs a hub. And if the flight is under 900 miles, there is no longer a meal served in first. Even on hub to hub routes like IAH-DEN. We United frequent flyers refer to these things as “Kirby cuts”. But when you live in a hub (DEN), the schedule offerings are impossible to beat for my domestic travel.
The warnings are to avoid complaints, they still get, about the carry on luggage. Americans generally will book the cheapest ticket and not read the restrictions. So when they get to the airport and can't take on their big carryon without a fee, they complain. So in the case of this, they are making sure they really really really know what they are buying.
No airline wants to sell these tickets. They sometimes charge online travel agencies that sell them. They have these fares to compete in fare listings as the cheapest fares against low cost carriers like spirit, frontier, etc. But they do everything they can to upsell you once you pick the route. Its the same for Delta and American.
I agree with you! A few years ago I picked a flight from LAX to MIA on a UA B752 with no food onboard. It is a 5 and a half hours flight. A friend of mine missed breakfast at the hotel. He made the entire trip fasting. Pathetic, outrageous! I wonder why Ryanair and Easyjet sees food as un income source, but on the contrary, UA sees it as a liability. It might have to do with unions, minimum TCP staff, I don’t know. I just don’t get it.
Good insights about liability vs income source. Sometimes I wonder what UA cabin crew do all flight. I know easyJet crew are busy serving customer throughout.
Not sure about a few years ago, but I just flew UA about a month ago from LAX to MCO. It was a late morning flight and they had food for purchase. There were things like gummy bears, Pringles, different sort of snack boxes, a cheese burger, fruit and cheese tray, or a sub sandwich. I ended up getting the sub sandwich for like 11 bucks. I have been on shorter flights on DL and AA and it seems that they all don't sell food for flights that are under 3 hours or so. Off topic but on a side note, I just flew HA LAX to OGG last week it was an A330 that was equipped with the free Star Link wifi. I thought it was amazing. It was so fast and reliable
When I fly United and the hilton only gives me a snack for breakfast, I buy the lounge access. Onboard, I try to buy the takeoff box to have something after the flight.
The lounge would have saved the day, and I had access. But there was no lounge in Reno, and in Denver where I connected, there wasn't enough time. Worst of all worlds, this time!
Drinks and snacks are food. If you are hungry, grab something at the airport. The ticket clearly states no meals. Plus, you are traveling from point A to point B with the CHEAPEST PRICE available. Your goal is to get there as cheap as possible. Grab a hot dog or burger or something at the airport. You have to check in 2 hours before your flight anyway. Do you purposefully starve yourself while waiting to board? If I was as hungry as you, I would buy something to eat.
Geez it’s only a 2 hour flight, 30 mins climbing 30 mins descending, just 1 hour in cruising time. How hungry you have to be that you need a meal? Snacks and drinks is more than enough for short flight like that.
they want you to buy it (and not go to another airline), that's why it exists. But they also would want you to buy a more expensive ticket. It's basically their way of going against low cost carriers that have those tickets as their standard tickets
@@MarkusTravels Yes that makes sense, because the DOD does not contract with JSX, whereas it does with American, Delta, United, Southwest, Jet Blue, amongst others.
It’s not that they don’t want to sell it, they don’t want to hear people pitching a fit when they show up to the airport and learn about all the restrictions for the first time. United knows the average consumer, and the avg consumer tends to be a moron in this country.
The lack of food available for purchase is very frustrating. The catering in first is often pathetic when flying from an outstation vs a hub. And if the flight is under 900 miles, there is no longer a meal served in first. Even on hub to hub routes like IAH-DEN.
We United frequent flyers refer to these things as “Kirby cuts”. But when you live in a hub (DEN), the schedule offerings are impossible to beat for my domestic travel.
Indeed the schedule was very convenient. Although next time I'll choose a longer layover.
The warnings are to avoid complaints, they still get, about the carry on luggage. Americans generally will book the cheapest ticket and not read the restrictions. So when they get to the airport and can't take on their big carryon without a fee, they complain. So in the case of this, they are making sure they really really really know what they are buying.
I don't mind the warning. It's good that they do what they can to communicate the product features clearly.
Nicely done video Markus!
Thanks for watching Rachel!
No airline wants to sell these tickets. They sometimes charge online travel agencies that sell them. They have these fares to compete in fare listings as the cheapest fares against low cost carriers like spirit, frontier, etc. But they do everything they can to upsell you once you pick the route. Its the same for Delta and American.
I would probably have been happier flying one of those ultra low cost carriers on this one!
Military boarding first is incredibly common. You must not fly in the US much if it came as a surprise.
Yes it is common.
I agree with you! A few years ago I picked a flight from LAX to MIA on a UA B752 with no food onboard. It is a 5 and a half hours flight. A friend of mine missed breakfast at the hotel. He made the entire trip fasting. Pathetic, outrageous! I wonder why Ryanair and Easyjet sees food as un income source, but on the contrary, UA sees it as a liability. It might have to do with unions, minimum TCP staff, I don’t know. I just don’t get it.
Good insights about liability vs income source. Sometimes I wonder what UA cabin crew do all flight. I know easyJet crew are busy serving customer throughout.
Not sure about a few years ago, but I just flew UA about a month ago from LAX to MCO. It was a late morning flight and they had food for purchase. There were things like gummy bears, Pringles, different sort of snack boxes, a cheese burger, fruit and cheese tray, or a sub sandwich. I ended up getting the sub sandwich for like 11 bucks. I have been on shorter flights on DL and AA and it seems that they all don't sell food for flights that are under 3 hours or so. Off topic but on a side note, I just flew HA LAX to OGG last week it was an A330 that was equipped with the free Star Link wifi. I thought it was amazing. It was so fast and reliable
When I fly United and the hilton only gives me a snack for breakfast, I buy the lounge access. Onboard, I try to buy the takeoff box to have something after the flight.
The lounge would have saved the day, and I had access. But there was no lounge in Reno, and in Denver where I connected, there wasn't enough time. Worst of all worlds, this time!
Thanks for sharing. Very very basic Eco.
Thanks for watching!
Drinks and snacks are food. If you are hungry, grab something at the airport. The ticket clearly states no meals. Plus, you are traveling from point A to point B with the CHEAPEST PRICE available. Your goal is to get there as cheap as possible. Grab a hot dog or burger or something at the airport. You have to check in 2 hours before your flight anyway. Do you purposefully starve yourself while waiting to board? If I was as hungry as you, I would buy something to eat.
Perhaps you saw that I did have a small meal at Reno.
Thanks for watching by the way!
Geez it’s only a 2 hour flight, 30 mins climbing 30 mins descending, just 1 hour in cruising time. How hungry you have to be that you need a meal? Snacks and drinks is more than enough for short flight like that.
Thanks for watching and leaving your thoughts!
Two hours isn't a long time to not get a meal, though.
I still would expect more from a full-service carrier. Even from a low-cost carrier!
they want you to buy it (and not go to another airline), that's why it exists. But they also would want you to buy a more expensive ticket.
It's basically their way of going against low cost carriers that have those tickets as their standard tickets
They manage to deliver a similar ticketing experience. But they've made the onboard service so much worse then the low-cost carriers.
Do all US based airlines not give priority boarding to US military?
I'm not sure. At least JSX did not when I flew them in December.
@@MarkusTravels Yes that makes sense, because the DOD does not contract with JSX, whereas it does with American, Delta, United, Southwest, Jet Blue, amongst others.
"We're all living in Amerika, Amerika ist wunderbar." -- Rammstein
Classic!
Welcome to every US domestic service on practically every airline. Ironically, an airline like Spirit would have had food available for purchase.
I think Spirit are doing a great job in that department!
Also, dude, just bring food. You seem outraged by the lack of it. Yeah, its a cheap ticket.
Nothing to do with the ticket. Even in first class there was no food. And that is indeed outrageous.
@@MarkusTravels Meh. First time I've ever heard someone say "I really want some airline food"
Come on, you had more than enough time during the layover to grab a sandwich-unless boarding first was more important than eating!
It was a bit important for me to board early, so I could record video without disturbing a lot of other passengers.
Little whiny on the food. I can go 4 hours without food. You're weak! Also anyone that travels frequently knows this and prepares!
Thanks for leaving a comment that will likely appear on my "best of 2024" list! And thanks for watching!
United Airlines sucks
As far as the catering goes, I agree!