United Airlines unveils 'new, improved' lunch, dinner and beverage options

United Airlines unveiled (21-Aug-2014) "new, improved" lunch, dinner and beverage options, offering travellers "chef-inspired meals and premium beverages that elevate their in-flight experience." The changes include the following:

• Premium salads for customers flying first and business within North America from Aug-2014;
• Premium sandwiches and wraps for first and business customers within North America from 01-Sep-2014;
• Prosecco sparkling wine in premium cabins from autumn 2014;
• Introduction of premium-cabin meals to flights of shorter duration from 2015;
• Fresh meal options for premium-cabin customers on United Express flights from 2015.

The carrier will continue to offer pasta or chicken/beef options for customers on transcontinental and on longer mid-continental dinner services. By mid-2015, United plans to further enhance its in-flight dining by launching redesigned menu concepts and expanding premium-cabin meals, upgrading premium-cabin meal service on domestic and international United Express services, and "significantly" enhancing United Economy meals and beverages on long-haul international services. United's vice president of food services Lynda Coffman stated, "These changes mark the beginning of an extensive overhaul of our North America and international food service, offering travelers a level of service above that offered by our peers." [more - original PR]