.
5/31/25: Updated with recent passenger experiences and compensation received after emailing United. Recent reports indicate that United's international flights from SFO are all being catered (although quality and choice may be inferior compared to previously), but many of United's domestic U.S. flights are still experiencing issues.
United Airlines' SFO catering mess has flight attendants (and some passengers) avoiding United flights departing San Francisco. For well over a week, many United flights departing SFO have lacked a significant contingent of their drinks and snacks. Transcontinental and even some international flights have departed without fresh food for Business Class.
“It’s been a largely unmitigated disaster for the past two weeks due to staffing and other logistics issues,” one flight attendant wrote on Reddit. Another said: ‘Note to self… Avoid SFO.”
Passengers have, understandably, been irate. A few comments:
“Can confirm, I left SFO for a 5 hr flight last week. While in boarding ine, told no snacks or food. If they know this beforehand, they should find alternative means. Inexcusable, people should be fired.”
“Flew SFO-HNL yesterday. It was a 5.5 hour flight, we did not get a warning that there would be no drinks (only water) nor food in flight till everyone boarded. I received a voucher by email, then a text a few minutes later, just as they were closing the door , that gave us a voucher for food at the airport that would expire that day…no way we could exit to use it.”
5/30/25 flight, SFO-HND: “Took my first Polaris flight today in about 8 months and [expletive] there is a noticeable difference in the quality of the food compared to last year. What the hell happened? Route: SFO-HND Dish: Halibut Tasting notes: Inedible.”
5/30/25 flight, SFO-ORD: “In Economy, only beverages today. No snacks or any food provided.”
.
What Kind of Compensation Have Passengers Received?
Passengers who have emailed United their complaints over lack of catering have typically been compensated with a (quite paltry) 5000 United MileagePlus miles. Paid First Class passengers have sometimes been provided $200 electronic travel credit (ETC) after submitting a complaint, for example where only water was on board (no food or snacks were provided).
.
Why is United's Catering Switchover Such a Disaster?
Back on May 15, United Airlines switched to a new catering supplier, LSG Sky Chefs, replacing its previous caterer, Gate Gourmet. Gate Gourmet's multi-year contract ended and United, dissatisfied, declined to renew the contract. Gate Gourmet, angry at not having its contract renewed, declined to assist in a smooth transition by removing necessary equipment. Gate Gourmet also laid off ~1200 workers, and LSG Sky Chefs apparently pays workers significantly less under the new contract with United, which has meant that many workers have sought work elsewhere, not with LSG Sky Chefs.
This doesn't absolve United of blame of course: the original vendor contract should have provided for transition assistance in the event of contract termination, United should have checked what LSG Sky Chefs would be paying workers (since a pay cut foreseeably would lead to a worker shortage as workers went elsewhere), and United should have foreseen the strong possibility that Gate Gourmet wouldn't lift a finger to help with the transition to LSG Sky Chefs during this period, necessitating considerable work arounds and compensation to affected passengers.
.
When Will United's Ex-SFO Flight Catering Be Back to Normal?
There isn't a set date yet. The union that represents United flight attendants has warned that it could last several weeks, into June. In the meantime, we highly recommend that passengers avoid United Airlines on flights departing San Francisco SFO, not only because of the catering snafus, but because of the possibility of delays as crew try to provision these flights, or even crew shortages as United flight attendants try to avoid being staffed on these flights.
If you've recently been on a United flight departing SFO, did you face any catering issues?
Recommended Posts
United Airlines Changes Check-In Time Cut-off
United Polaris Business Class Review, 777-300
Review: United Polaris Lounge San Francisco
If you enjoyed this, join 200,000+ readers: follow TravelSort on Twitter or like us on Facebook to be alerted to new posts.
Subscribe to TravelSort on YouTube for travel inspiration.
Become a TravelSort Client and Book 5-Star Hotels with Virtuoso or Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits