Free snacks are back at United Airlines. Yes, in economy

Ben Mutzabaugh | USA TODAY

Free snacks are back at United Airlines. Yes, in economy.

The Chicago-based carrier announced Wednesday that it’s restoring that once-common airline perk beginning in February.

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“We’re refocusing on the big and little things that we know matter to our customers and shape how they feel about their travel experience,” Jimmy Samartzis, United’s vice president of food services and United Clubs, says in a statement. “We’re bringing back complimentary snacks that are a nod to our global presence. They also add that extra level of service our employees will be proud to deliver and will make a big difference for our customers.”

The free snacks will be offered on all of United's flights in North America, the Caribbean and between Honolulu and Guam that did not already have a complimentary meal or snack option in coach class. The move comes as new United CEO Oscar Munoz has tried to put customer service in the spotlight at the carrier, acknowledging earlier this fall that "the implementation of the United and Continental merger has been rocky for customers and employees."

As for the reintroduction of free snacks, United says coach-class customers on flights that depart before 9:45 a.m. will receive a morning stroopwafel, which the carrier describes as “a Dutch, caramel-filled waffle that pairs perfectly with coffee or tea.”

For flights that depart after 9:45 a.m., economy customers will get “packaged savory snacks, such as an Asian-style snack mix of rice crackers, sesame sticks and wasabi peas or a zesty-ranch mix of mini pretzel sticks, Cajun corn sticks and ranch soy nuts.”

The free snacks will be offered in tandem with United’s for-pay “Choice Menu” items. Those items range from small snacks like Chex Mex ($3.99) and Pringles ($3.99) to more robust breakfast, lunch and dinner options that cost up to $9.99. The availability of the Choice Menu options varies by flight.

United's Latin America flights that already had free meals in coach will not receive the new snacks since the airline will retain its current complimentary offerings in those markets.

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