Chicago – United Airlines has introduced a new United Economy® meal preorder service, allowing customers to purchase fresh meals such as burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and snack boxes before their flight via united.com or the United mobile app.
The initiative enhances customer choice, catering efficiency, and sustainability, while ensuring travellers receive their preferred onboard meals.
Key Highlights
Preorder Fresh Meals in United Economy
- Available on flights over 1,190 miles
- Applicable across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean
- Customers can preorder meals from five days up to 24 hours before departure
🔗 Learn more: https://www.united.com
Preordering Becomes Mandatory for Fresh Entrées
- From 1 March 2026, preordering will be the only way to purchase fresh entrées in United Economy
- Signature snack boxes, packaged snacks, and beverages will still be available for onboard purchase
Sustainability and Food Waste Reduction
- The preorder model is expected to keep more than 100,000 pounds of unused food out of landfills each year
- Helps United and its catering partners prepare the right amount of food for each flight
Expanded Menu Coming in 2026
- Summer 2026:
- Elevated salads
- Gourmet sandwiches and wraps
- Later in the year:
- Preorder-exclusive premium beverage options
Improved Customer Satisfaction
- United first introduced meal preordering in premium cabins in 2021
- Resulted in a nearly 40% increase in customer satisfaction scores on domestic flights
Executive Comment
Aaron McMillan, Managing Director of Hospitality Programs at United, said:
“We’re continuing to invest in meaningful improvements to our onboard food and beverage program, with a focus on quality, consistency and customer choice. Preordering is a win for everyone – customers board the plane knowing they’ll get the meal they want, our catering partners know exactly how much food to prepare, and it helps reduce food waste.”
How to Preorder
- Customers can preorder Bistro on Board and retail items through:
- United mobile app
- Trips section on united.com
- App users receive a notification when preordering opens
- January menu highlights include:
- Steakhouse Burger
- Tacos Al Pastor
- Fresh Cheese & Fruit Tray
- Everything Bagel Dots
Preordered meals may not be available under certain circumstances.
About United Airlines
United Airlines operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is the world’s largest airline by available seat miles. The airline operates hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
