No Food On United SFO to Frankfurt?

I have yet to be on an overseas flight that didn't serve a meal. My suggestion would be to call the airline and ask about that specific flight. That way you would know whether or not to pick up a sandwich or salad at the airport to carry on the plane. The airlines are nickel and diming us but I don't think it's that bad yet.

Iceland Air doesn't give out food for free and I think other airlines are looking at this too though I haven't heard of any other airlines doing this. Why should you pay for food that you don't want to eat anyway? Bring something you like instead.

We flew on that flight in April. A meal was served, as well as a breakfast shortly before landing.

Rosalyn: Thanks. That's reassuring. Don't know why they don't say that on their website. Just to be sure I'll give them a call.

Confirmed with United. There is lunch on the flight out, and dinner on the flight back (927).
(Do you think I'm worrying too much?)
But their website for status on this flight says just beverage service.
Can't believe anything on the web these days....

UA has incorrect info on in-flight meals on their web site often.

They are actually expanding their meal service on most flights after a major cutback in 2008 - 2009. While I'm not looking to see lobster or prime rib any time soon, not even in 1st class, what I have been served recently is edible.

United some years back tried out the concept of no food included on transatlantic getting as far as an announcement and putting food for purchase on a few flight details. They backed away before actually implementing it.

When we first started flying internationally (many years ago), the airline served wine during the flight for free and as much as you wanted. Then they went to a policy of one free glass and the rest you had to pay for. My last 2 international flights (LAN to Peru and American to France) the wine and alcohol was free and flowing like water. Now mind you a glass or two is plenty for me on a 12 hour flight but my point is that you never know what to expect these days in regard to what the airline will do for you as far as service goes. Per food quality, the food on American this summer was just fine - no complaints.

Hi,

I would not believe what is said of United SFO to FRA as regards to food service. My last two trips, May 2014 (tardy by one hour) and May 2015 (on time) both took off from SFO to Frankfurt, 10-11 hrs direct, had a hot meal offered to us. No extra charge. Had that been the case. I would most likely have turned it down. This was in coach, which I always fly. It was all right, nothing great. Some flight routes 2-3 hrs don't serve nuts either.

Do any US carriers serve nuts anymore due to the allergy thing? Lucky if you see pretzels. I admit I recently bought a package of Bischoff/Lotus biscuits "the airline cookie" at the grocery. Those things are addictive. Great with coffee or tea.

And water is free. It's even bottled water. Important to stay hydrated.

Frisco to Shanghai in May was a 13 hour flight, non-stop. We were served multiple meals, none memorable, but they helped past the time. (We were in the cheap seats.)

American Airlines still serve nuts

Austrian Airlines, Swiss Airlines - my seat was in super cheap economy and we had very good food, bottles of wine, Bailey's Irish Creme (as many as I wanted). American based airlines are just PATHETIC!

Hi Rachel, I love the Bischoff/Lotus biscuits too. If you have a Costco in your area, I bought a 2 pound box for $6.99... so good!

Southwest still does their peanuts in the name of company tradition.

rc,

This would seem to indicate that UA does provide meal service in Economy.....

http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/economy/dining.aspx

Yes. I have confirmed this with UA.
The doubt was raised when I checked the flight status and noticed that it indicated only a beverage service.

Food:
United Global First: Beverage service
United BusinessFirst: Beverage service
United Economy: Beverage service

Thanks. But we may bring some Granola bars just in case.

There is a long discussion of United's international food offerings over on FlyerTalk. If you go to page 30, post 443 of this thread,
a member there has posted pictures of the food he received on a recent IAH-MUC flight. I'm sure what you'll be getting will be similar, if not identical. And, United's website is sometimes buggy, such as occasionally showing regional jets making transatlantic trips.

I try to always fly European airlines. Food is free, plentiful, sometimes I have actually been "full". Alcohol is also free, and as much as you want, even though a couple of glasses of wine is more than enough for me!

I've travelled United SFO to Frankfurt several times and the food is decent, if un-inspired. They come by with other little snacky things throughout the flight and shortly before arrival there's something like breakfast served, and last year I had the misfortune of eating some melon that had gone bad--within about 5 minutes I was frantically trying to extricate myself from the window seat and get to the bathroom. It's amazing how fast people move when you shout "I'm going to be sick!!!!" Lesson learned--stay away from the fruit.

Maybe in the case of United its a case of 'nothing' meaning 'nothing that you would want to eat'.

Fear not--I believe that even airlines are still required to offer sustenance, of some type, to "pax" on flights exceeding a certain number of hours (you may think of yourself as a person but you're a pax to the airline).

I'm a UA mileage holder and my home airport is SFO so I often fly to Italy via FRA. There are 3 daily flights from SFO to FRA, 2 operated by UA and one by Lufthansa, all in code share. But I always choose the one operated by LH. Free food and free alcohol. UA started charging for alcohol on that route years ago. When they start charging for food, I will be done with them. I will pack the stinkiest fish and the stinkiest gorgonzola cheese on board until they stop.

Supposedly, UA is now including wine or beer wirh the meal at no additional cost.
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/economy/dining.aspx

This is quite a change... a few years ago the announced they were going to start charging for meals out of Dulles ... a trial to allow more "choice". That totally backfired and they went back to the regular meals. Now they seem to have added beer and wine back.

We're flying into Copenhagen in a week on Norwegian Air Shuttle.

Travelers can reserve and pay for a hot "airline" meal to enjoy on the trip. They also have $10 sandwiches and cold food items and drinks available for purchase on board. They are flying new Boeing 787's from the U.S., and ordering is on the touch screen entertainment system sliding a credit card through it. And yes, they even charge for bottled water.
Our flight leaves at 11:00 p.m. so most travelers would have eaten dinner already. We will be heavily prepared with sufficient picnic food and our own breakfast foods. We'll also be going through airport security with a number of empty water bottles. When on the airport concourse, we'll fill up the water bottles--some of which will have powdered drink mixes in them.
These are hoops we jump through to get a flight for about half the amount legacy U.S. carriers are charging.

I was on Airtransat a few days ago, and steward told me AT is contemplating doing pay food only only translatic flights. Food in their economy is an abomination, and thank goodness we brought our own. We flew back in prem ec and that food was decent.

I don't think there is any law that says airlines have to feed you for free.

Apparently my recent call to United to inquire as to why they show only "Beverage Service" for flights 903 and 927 non-stop SFO<->Frankfurt has had some effect ... the web pages now show "Lunch" and "Dinner".

It's all a matter of chance. In 2013 and 2014 I flew Lufthansa SFO to Frankfurt, direct, both departures one hour late, therefore, in 2013 the arrival was one hour late. In 2014 the one hour was made up with the flight arriving on time. In 2015 I chose to go with United, SFO to Paris, direct. If I'm to have a lay over, I prefer to be only at a few airports, (LAX, Houston, maybe Toronto), none on the east coast. Surprisingly, the flight left on time, arrived on time. Flight time was 10 plus hours, you get use to it by sleeping.