United Airlines Brings Back Free Kids’ Meals Just in Time for Holiday Travel

You might be jealous that you can’t order the grilled cheese for yourself

Traveling with kids is definitely more of a trip than a vacation, and nothing demonstrates that more than when we board an airplane with our little ones. United really wants to make those long-haul flights easier on parents, and one of the ways they are doing that is by bringing back kids’ meals.

At the start of the pandemic, many airlines, including United, did away with in-flight meals as a way to reduce contamination. United re-introduced meals on long-haul flights last year but still had not brought back special menu options for children until now. On flights that are 2,000 miles or longer in cabins with complimentary meal service, pre-ordered kids’ meals are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

What meals are available for kids on United?

• Breakfast: United offers a breakfast meal of French toast with sausage, fruit, and a croissant on select domestic flights (including Hawai’i), international flights departing the U.S., and international flights returning to the U.S.
• Lunch and dinner: Kids can enjoy chicken tenders with fruit, a dinner roll, and a dessert on select domestic flights (including Hawai’i) and international flights departing the U.S, or a grilled cheese sandwich with fruit on international flights returning to the U.S.

The United kids’ meals can be reserved when booking a ticket or you can add a request to an existing reservation using the United app at least 24 hours prior to the flight’s departure (they are not available to be ordered onboard). In addition to kids’ meals, United offers Asian vegetarian meals, gluten-intolerant meals, Kosher meals, and vegan meals.

On your next United flight, ask a flight attendant if they have a Children’s Travel Kit available for your little one. These kits have been created in partnership with Ranger Rick and include an activity book with crayons and a toy. Check out this handy guide for more information on what’s available for families on United Airlines.