United Wants More Economy Passengers Ordering Dinner Before Takeoff

United Airlines announced on October 19 that it is widening its economy meal pre-order program to shorter flights. The minimum distance drops from more than 1,190 miles to more than 900 miles. By United’s count, the change reaches roughly 65,000 additional passengers each day across 420 more daily flights in North America and the Caribbean.

Routes that now qualify include Chicago to Houston, Denver to San Francisco and Houston to Washington, D.C. Passengers order through the Trips section of United’s website or app, and the window runs from five days before departure until 24 hours before the flight. Anyone who misses the cutoff is back to whatever is sold onboard.

The menu leans on hearty, hand-held items: sandwiches, burgers, pasta and breakfast dishes, rotated every month. Current picks include a pork mojo burrito, a Chicago patty melt designed by chef Jeff Mauro and a hot honey chicken and waffle sandwich. The airline did not publish prices in the announcement, so travelers should check the app when ordering.

United frames the expansion as part of a broader push to improve the experience across its cabins. Chief Customer Officer David Kinzelman said the goal is to give customers more choice, more convenience and a better experience onboard. For passengers on mid-length domestic hops, it means a guaranteed meal is now possible on flights that previously offered only snacks for purchase.

Sources: TravelPulse, Airline Geeks