United Airlines Will Introduce New Dishware In Premium Cabins

United Airlines will launch new dishware in its premium cabins starting in May, first on longhaul flights and later on domestic flights. This story has been updated with new photos and a more specific timeline.

United Airlines Will Update Dishware In Premium Cabins

A memo to flight attendants by John Slater, United’s Senior Vice President of Inflight Services, notes that new plates, bowls, utensils, and glassware are coming:

We’re thrilled to share that we’re launching brand-new dishware to take our customers’ dining experience to new heights! Starting in May, new plates, bowls, utensils, glassware and more will bring a fresh touch of elegance to international flights. Domestic flights will see the same tableware transformation in June.

The collection launches in Polaris and United Premium Plus on international flights, premium transcontinental, and long-haul Hawaii flights on May 5, 2025. It will then roll out to domestic, Canada, short-haul Latin and Micronesia routes on June 5, 2025.

The current dishware currently looks like this:

It will be donated to charity.

I originally figured the new dishes might look like the image below (used in a 2024 Polaris advertisement):

But instead, a source tells me that it will look like the picture on top (and the two just below).

I’ll reserve judgment until I see it for myself.

> Read More: United Airlines Teases New Polaris Business Class Tableware

New Dishware Is Fine, But Focus On The Food, Please…

I give United a lot of credit for greatly improving its beverage menu in recent months. Not only have the wine selections broadened, but the quality has improved. United now serves Laurent-Perrier La Cuvé Champagne. Cocktails have been added, as has Cold Brew from illy.

In terms of drinks, I’d say the only thing United is missing is espresso and fresh-squeezed orange juice (one can dream…).

But the food is another matter. Yes, the food has become marginally better onboard…but I think most frequent United flyers would agree that both domestically and internationally, the food still lags behind all major competitors (including Alaska, American, Delta, and JetBlue). There are glimmers of hope–like the recently-upgraded meal service on premium transcontinental routes–but sorry, the quality of the chicken, beef, fish, and pasta onboard…and even little things like the salad and bread…leave much to be desired.

I guess I’m one of the few people who like the dishes and glasses now (pictured above)…I think they are fine and more unique than on American or Delta…but really it’s more about priorities. New dishware is fine, but I’d certainly like to see United upgrade the qualities of its meals first.

It’s really the little things. Like when you order a salad onboard, would it kill United to offer a choice of dressings? And maybe some nice crusty bread? And a protein on the side that does not taste like processed deli meat? It’s all about the budget…for a little bit more United could offer nice bread and butter or the sort of chicken and beef I would eat at home, not the sort of processed meat that I would not feed to my emotional support dog…(I jest).

United has a great opportunity to build upon so many recent improvements and offer better food onboard…the sort of food like the short ribs on Delta that I actually look forward to.

CONCLUSION

United will introduce new dishware, including glasses, starting in May and I’m curious if the change will be more of an evolution or revolution. In the meantime, though, the most important thing United can do is focus on the quality of its food, just as it has more recently focused on the quality of its beverages. Without that, the new dishware really won’t mean much.

images: United Airlines