Ice cream sundaes are coming again, however United’s catering nonetheless disappoints

There’s a cherry on prime of United’s pandemic-era catering woes.

Beginning in February, the Chicago-based service is bringing again its fan-favorite ice cream sundae cart to all long-haul worldwide flights within the Polaris business-class cabin.

This information was first teased on the airline’s social media channels, and United did not reply to TPG’s request for remark.

United introduced again its ice cream sundae cart on a handful of long-haul flights from its San Francisco hub on Dec. 1, 2022, as a part of a phased method to restoring points of its onboard catering that it minimize in the course of the pandemic. (This included routes to Brisbane, Frankfurt, Singapore and Sydney.)

Ice cream sundaes have lengthy been a staple in premium cabins, giving flyers a candy deal with to finish what’s often a multi-course meal service.

The ice cream is often saved on dry ice within the galley, after which defrosted in the course of the flight by flight attendants. The sundae carts are then arrange for service with a topping bar, often consisting of combined nuts, chocolate and caramel sauces, whipped cream and a few candies and fruits to enhance your creation.

At the outset of the pandemic, the ice cream sundae service was halted as a part of a bigger revamp to onboard eating protocols. United (and its main opponents) have since introduced again many components of the pre-pandemic service, although the ice cream sundae cart has been noticeably absent on United.

Before the cart returned to United, the airline supplied business-class vacationers a scoop of ice cream topped with chocolate brownie bites on most long-haul flights departing from the U.S. Now, nonetheless, with the return of the sundae cart, you’ll choose your required toppings.

Meanwhile, American’s sundae service returned final 12 months, however the airline is creating these Haagen Dazs ice cream treats within the galley after a flight attendant takes your order.

Delta, then again, introduced again three-course meals to enterprise class final March. This included the return of a create-your-own ice cream sundae bar, with the ultimate creation pictured under.

While sundaes are making a comeback, United nonetheless has an extended approach to go to revive its pre-pandemic catering requirements in its premium cabins.

In latest months, the service’s meals choices have drawn criticism from frequent flyers and trade analysts. Comments on United’s announcement in regards to the return of the ice cream sundae cart included flyers asking the airline to “repair the remainder of your Polaris service.”

Others took a stronger tone, saying that “about the remainder of the catering, which might be worse than jail meals…. Your [top-tier Premier] 1K and GS [invite-only Global Services] members are shedding persistence.”

Personally, I’ve taken a handful of Polaris flights lately and have been particularly unimpressed with United’s catering choices. I lately posted in regards to the airline’s catering woes on Twitter, and vacationers typically agreed with my sentiments in regards to the want for United to enhance its catering.

United’s pandemic-era catering issues appear to be restricted in scope to the airline itself.

Both American and Delta have stepped up their premium-cabin choices, and I lately had scrumptious meals on routes from the U.S. to Israel on United’s two predominant opponents.

Even TPG’s founder, Brian Kelly, had a latest encounter with United’s subpar catering, exclaiming on Instagram that “as we speak is the day United formally gave up on catering!”

Kelly shared pictures of what was described as rooster tikka masala, and his submit drew a powerful response, with over 1,000 followers commenting on the unappetizing meal.

The issues have gotten so dangerous that even United’s prime executives have publicly acknowledged that the airline wants to enhance its catering.

“What I might say is that we positively bought slowed down first by the pandemic itself and now by the availability chain challenges which have been there,” chief buyer officer Linda Jojo stated in response to a query about United’s catering on the Skift Aviation Forum in Dallas again in November.

Adding to the complexity is the truth that United contracts with 130 completely different catering kitchens the world over, Jojo added.

Hopefully, United can really handle its catering woes as soon as and for all earlier than the thrill across the return of the sundae cart melts.