Airline Shifts In-Flight Service Model To Improve Efficiency
United Airlines has expanded its meal preorder program to Economy passengers, allowing travelers on longer flights to select fresh meals before departure. The change marks a significant shift in how United handles onboard food service, with preordering becoming the only way to purchase fresh entrees starting March 1, 2026. United estimates the change will reduce food waste by over 100,000 pounds annually. The airline first introduced meal preordering in its mobile app for premium cabins in 2021, which led to a nearly 40% increase in customer satisfaction scores. This latest expansion applies the same concept to Economy, with plans to add more menu options later this year. The development was first reported by AeroTime.