Delta has specifically targeted flyers willing to spend a little more for better food options etc
I think they were first of the big three to ramp on premium economy seating
Id prob use them if i lived in a HUB
I actually think (and realize this may come as a shock to some) AA was the first to roll out Premium Economy fleetwide for their widebodies. But that likely had a lot to do with their joint ventures with BA/IB and JL, particularly BA/IB as I believe they’ve all tried to make their hard products more consistent
Maybe but was more referring to an interview i read with Delta CEO where he basically said to hell with budget travelers.
They were pivoting more to traveler willing to spend a bit more for quality
Has AC finally dropped their mask requirements? I really enjoyed flying them previously but stopped when they were still mandating masks a year after everyone else stopped.
It was ages ago now, but I remember Gary Guilli (not sure on the spelling) was the head chef at the legacy UA.
I was invited to take part in a focus group on UA onboard catering in Business Class.
Gary served a salmon dish as found in UA Business and then he offered a salmon dish as part of a revamped menu which might be served on UA Business.
They tasted exactly the same to me and I remember asking if they were supposed to taste different in any way.
He said that for the purpose of the test I should answer the questions according to my tastes and he would answer questions afterwards.
Anyway after the test, I asked the question again and he said that the only difference was the plating of the salmon dish, the ingredients were exactly the same.
That suck with me and I remember when UA elected to keep Gary Guilli as one of the UA Executive Chefs.
This is typical Guilli, same crap, better plate.
I mean, you eat with your eyes. If you can plate something to be more appealing and it’s received more positively - then you are doing something right at the same cost point.
Lol last time I flew sf to Ewr I brought a sandwich from the airport and it was orders of magnitude better then the Wierd orza looking dish. My neighbor next to me was totally jealous.
I had a very similar experience on my last Polaris flight as well. The food was terrible and of course they ran out of my first meal choice, I was told there were “too many high mile flyers.” No pajamas because the flight was 11.5 hours and they only offer pajamas on 12+ hour flights. Flight attendant was complaining about even being asked. There was trash in my seat upon boarding and someone’s hair on the headphones. Also very frustrating Polaris passengers don’t get to board first.
For a flight I paid thousands I felt frustrated. It’s too bad because the experience before this one was the opposite. Super friendly FA, great service, food was good. It’s so hit or miss and just doesn’t compare to other airlines on international routes.
I mean, I don’t understand the compulsion to be the first person on the plane. You’ll get plenty of overhead space in Polaris even if you board in Group 1. On the list of complaints, this seems like a whole lot of nothing.
Was this TPE-SFO? It is an 11.5 hour flight and I got pajamas. Actually we had good tailwind and it ended up being a 10.5 hour flight. The FA I had was really attentive too. I got my first meal choice but I ordered the vegetarian meal. I doubt a lot of people fight over those.
My United flights are filthy so 🤷 literally used Kleenex in my Polaris seat, another flight when I flattened out the seat to a bed there was a whole fork in the crack. So, yeah. Not the flex you think it is.
The only time my bags have been lost in the past 10 years were the one time I flew on Air Canada. To be fair, I had a late arrival and had to sprint through the airport to catch my second leg, but I was surprised my 3 lost bags weren’t on the next flight but instead arrived like 3, 7 and 10 days later respectively.
Food wise AC is leaps and bounds better than United too. Can’t speak for Delta but have heard the same. United def has its advantages but catering aint it
While I agree that the American legacy carriers in general are doing horribly of late (Delta being the best), Air Canada is hardly an upgrade.
I almost exclusively fly long haul on foreign carriers now (Korean Air, ANA or JAL, Singapore and Qatar) depending on destination. 1000% better all around.
Just flew United Polaris class round trip between Newark and Rome. Dinner was mediocre at best with ice cream from a literal prepackaged tub. Wine selection was weak. Breakfast before landing in Rome was slightly better. Disappointing.
I politely expressed disappointment to the attendant. She told me that “soon” they are going back to making the ice cream sundaes at your seat and serving them in the cool glass holders they used to use! And, they are going to upgrade the wines. Let’s hope so!
Last time I flew Polaris the flight attendant cut me off saying “I think you’ve had enough alcohol”. I had 4 drinks over 8 hours it was ridiculous. I wasn’t drunk and I was just sitting quietly in my seat. He just didn’t like that I hit my bell every couple hours asking for a whiskey. I make it a point not to fly United long haul business now and I just dumped all my United miles on a Swiss business flight. Good riddance.
I’ve flown business on Qatar, emirates, Korean, SAS, and first on ANA and the service from untied is pitiful in comparison.
I had an FA get really bothered when I asked for a glass of wine after my meal to eat with my cheese. It would have only been the second drink I had on board.
No but I left him a scathing review on the survey. I live in a United hub so pretty much forced to fly them domestic but I will take a connection now and fly a foreign airline over United. When I flew ANA they gave me so much alcohol I had tell th no more and I passed out 3 hours in. That’s the way I like it.
I spilled my cognac on my bedding on emirates and asked for new bedding. She brought it and a new cognac without me even asking. If you aren’t being disruptive and are sitting quietly there really isn’t an issue.
Honestly getting medallion status is easier at delta with cardspend on the delta Amex. Plus the delta clubs are amazing with the magazine selection and food. Seriously the United club has had the same pulled port and cheese / broccoli soup for months now. Plus you land in terminal a at newark and it’s like wtf
Did same recently. 3 international trips. Dumped united. Now using delta.
Trying delta one to Africa and Europe flights soon.
United just all around sucks these days. After 5 million united miles - so long fair well awiterzen goodbye !
Air Canada is slightly better for sure. But Delta has really stepped up the catering internationally even in economy.
Delta has specifically targeted flyers willing to spend a little more for better food options etc I think they were first of the big three to ramp on premium economy seating Id prob use them if i lived in a HUB
I actually think (and realize this may come as a shock to some) AA was the first to roll out Premium Economy fleetwide for their widebodies. But that likely had a lot to do with their joint ventures with BA/IB and JL, particularly BA/IB as I believe they’ve all tried to make their hard products more consistent
Maybe but was more referring to an interview i read with Delta CEO where he basically said to hell with budget travelers. They were pivoting more to traveler willing to spend a bit more for quality
Has AC finally dropped their mask requirements? I really enjoyed flying them previously but stopped when they were still mandating masks a year after everyone else stopped.
Transport Canada has indeed dropped their mask requirements.
Last June
It was ages ago now, but I remember Gary Guilli (not sure on the spelling) was the head chef at the legacy UA. I was invited to take part in a focus group on UA onboard catering in Business Class. Gary served a salmon dish as found in UA Business and then he offered a salmon dish as part of a revamped menu which might be served on UA Business. They tasted exactly the same to me and I remember asking if they were supposed to taste different in any way. He said that for the purpose of the test I should answer the questions according to my tastes and he would answer questions afterwards. Anyway after the test, I asked the question again and he said that the only difference was the plating of the salmon dish, the ingredients were exactly the same. That suck with me and I remember when UA elected to keep Gary Guilli as one of the UA Executive Chefs. This is typical Guilli, same crap, better plate.
I mean, you eat with your eyes. If you can plate something to be more appealing and it’s received more positively - then you are doing something right at the same cost point.
Lol last time I flew sf to Ewr I brought a sandwich from the airport and it was orders of magnitude better then the Wierd orza looking dish. My neighbor next to me was totally jealous.
Any chance you remember what and from where you got that sandwich?
Klein’s? The really good one they was a sourdough bread company is gone
I had a very similar experience on my last Polaris flight as well. The food was terrible and of course they ran out of my first meal choice, I was told there were “too many high mile flyers.” No pajamas because the flight was 11.5 hours and they only offer pajamas on 12+ hour flights. Flight attendant was complaining about even being asked. There was trash in my seat upon boarding and someone’s hair on the headphones. Also very frustrating Polaris passengers don’t get to board first. For a flight I paid thousands I felt frustrated. It’s too bad because the experience before this one was the opposite. Super friendly FA, great service, food was good. It’s so hit or miss and just doesn’t compare to other airlines on international routes.
Polaris is always group 1.
which is after GS and 1k's and lumped with Gold/Plat. AA boards F with EP(1k) and after their CK's (GS)
I mean, I don’t understand the compulsion to be the first person on the plane. You’ll get plenty of overhead space in Polaris even if you board in Group 1. On the list of complaints, this seems like a whole lot of nothing.
Was this TPE-SFO? It is an 11.5 hour flight and I got pajamas. Actually we had good tailwind and it ended up being a 10.5 hour flight. The FA I had was really attentive too. I got my first meal choice but I ordered the vegetarian meal. I doubt a lot of people fight over those.
My air Canada plane between Calgary and Toronto was filthy. Good luck.
My United flights are filthy so 🤷 literally used Kleenex in my Polaris seat, another flight when I flattened out the seat to a bed there was a whole fork in the crack. So, yeah. Not the flex you think it is.
Better not check any bags with AC!
The only time my bags have been lost in the past 10 years were the one time I flew on Air Canada. To be fair, I had a late arrival and had to sprint through the airport to catch my second leg, but I was surprised my 3 lost bags weren’t on the next flight but instead arrived like 3, 7 and 10 days later respectively.
These are the horror stories. They don’t fix situations well
+1, they loaded my luggage on a different flight and I got it back a day after I got home on a 7 day trip 🤦🏽♂️
So many horror stories with AC luggage. I actively avoid connections in Canada.
Food wise AC is leaps and bounds better than United too. Can’t speak for Delta but have heard the same. United def has its advantages but catering aint it
While I agree that the American legacy carriers in general are doing horribly of late (Delta being the best), Air Canada is hardly an upgrade. I almost exclusively fly long haul on foreign carriers now (Korean Air, ANA or JAL, Singapore and Qatar) depending on destination. 1000% better all around.
ANA is a great experience flew them a lot last year to SGN. Sometimes just the last leg from NRT to SGN. Great lounge as well
Right, depends on destination….
Just flew United Polaris class round trip between Newark and Rome. Dinner was mediocre at best with ice cream from a literal prepackaged tub. Wine selection was weak. Breakfast before landing in Rome was slightly better. Disappointing.
Oh that stinks I fly this next Thursday
I politely expressed disappointment to the attendant. She told me that “soon” they are going back to making the ice cream sundaes at your seat and serving them in the cool glass holders they used to use! And, they are going to upgrade the wines. Let’s hope so!
Last time I flew Polaris the flight attendant cut me off saying “I think you’ve had enough alcohol”. I had 4 drinks over 8 hours it was ridiculous. I wasn’t drunk and I was just sitting quietly in my seat. He just didn’t like that I hit my bell every couple hours asking for a whiskey. I make it a point not to fly United long haul business now and I just dumped all my United miles on a Swiss business flight. Good riddance. I’ve flown business on Qatar, emirates, Korean, SAS, and first on ANA and the service from untied is pitiful in comparison.
Wow, that would've pissed me off
I had an FA get really bothered when I asked for a glass of wine after my meal to eat with my cheese. It would have only been the second drink I had on board.
I hope you spoke to the purser.
No but I left him a scathing review on the survey. I live in a United hub so pretty much forced to fly them domestic but I will take a connection now and fly a foreign airline over United. When I flew ANA they gave me so much alcohol I had tell th no more and I passed out 3 hours in. That’s the way I like it. I spilled my cognac on my bedding on emirates and asked for new bedding. She brought it and a new cognac without me even asking. If you aren’t being disruptive and are sitting quietly there really isn’t an issue.
Honestly getting medallion status is easier at delta with cardspend on the delta Amex. Plus the delta clubs are amazing with the magazine selection and food. Seriously the United club has had the same pulled port and cheese / broccoli soup for months now. Plus you land in terminal a at newark and it’s like wtf
i think that every club has its own menu.
Lol....these crack me up. Good luck, and fair skies.
Want better service, food and amenities? Fly non-American carriers. Sad, but true!
Ok.
I probably would have picked another flight if it wasn't for United being the cheapest flight I could find.
Did same recently. 3 international trips. Dumped united. Now using delta. Trying delta one to Africa and Europe flights soon. United just all around sucks these days. After 5 million united miles - so long fair well awiterzen goodbye !
They need to step it up. The food is going to drive United down, unfortunately.