United Airlines Elevates Inflight Dining with the Addition of Gluten-Free Choices

CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines is elevating the inflight dining experience with the addition of new menu items, including gluten-free options for premium-cabin and United Economy customers.

On March 1, the company will switch from regular to gluten-free salad dressing on its premium-cabin menu on flights departing the United States to points throughout North and Central America – routes that already have flights offering gluten-free soup. With the new salad dressing, premium-cabin customers may enjoy a complete gluten-free meal on flights where both soup and salad are served.

This summer, United will add gluten-free options for premium-cabin customers on long-haul international flights departing the United States, including salad dressing for all premium-cabin customers and soup in United Global First.

Choice Menu Snack Shop Gluten-Free Options

Also, this month United refreshed the contents of its Choice Menu Classic, Savory and Tapas Snack Shop snackboxes with more premium offerings. At least half of the items in each snackbox are now gluten-free. Starting this spring, the Savory snackbox will be completely gluten-free. Snack Shop selections are available for purchase in United Economy on most North and Central America flights scheduled for more than two hours and flights to and from northern South America.

Additionally, United offers Two Degrees Fruit & Nut Bars as a gluten-free Snack Shop à la carte option. The fruit and nut bars are also available on the airline's Choice Menu Bistro on Board, on flights departing after 5:45 a.m. and before 9:45 a.m. Bistro on Board offers fresh food for sale in United Economy on most flights scheduled for more than three-and-a-half hours within North America and to Central and northern South America.

New Greek Yogurt Options

United has also replaced regular yogurt with Greek yogurt in premium cabins on flights departing the United States to points throughout North and Central America.

This spring, the airline will add Chobani Flip Greek yogurt to the breakfast options on its Bistro on Board menu on p.s. "Premium Service" flights between New York JFK and Los Angeles and New York JFK and San Francisco.

"Our customers are looking for menu choices that reflect their heightened focus on health and good nutrition," said Lynda Coffman, United's vice president of food services. "By introducing new choices for premium-cabin and United Economy customers, we continue to provide a more flyer-friendly inflight experience for travelers."

Premium Wine Service Expansion

In addition, this month United has expanded its premium wine service in United Economy to flights between the United States and Europe. The 375-milliliter bottles of Meiomi Pinot Noir 2012 and Murphy-Goode North Coast 2012 Sauvignon Blanc are available for $15.99 each. Each bottle pours approximately two-and-a-half glasses of wine. The airline first introduced 375-milliliter bottles of premium wine for purchase in United Economy last May on its transcontinental p.s. flights.

Photos of the premium wines, snackboxes and one of the gluten-free soup options are available at http://newsroom.unitedcontinentalholdings.com/foodandbeverages.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,300 flights a day to more than 360 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. United is delivering a more flyer-friendly experience, offering more premium-cabin flat-bed seats and extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S. global carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi, including on long-haul overseas routes. The airline also features DIRECTV® on more than 200 aircraft, with more live television access than any airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 36 new Boeing aircraft and welcome the E175 aircraft to United Express. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2013, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the Best Frequent-Flyer program for 10 consecutive years. Air Transport World named United the Eco-Aviation Airline of the Year Gold Winner in 2013. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 28 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com or follow United on Twitter and Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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SOURCE United Airlines