United’s Infamous Dessert Cart Returns to Long-haul International Flights

Flying business class with United is about to get even sweeter.

The Chicago-based carrier has announced it will be bringing back its much-loved (and much-missed) ice cream sundae cart for its Polaris passengers.

The ice cream cart is “currently available on select flights out of San Francisco (SFO) and coming to all long-haul international flights in February,” according to a post on United’s Instagram.

Here’s what you need to know.

United’s Sundae Cart Makes a Comeback

As we enter 2023, United has decided it’s about time its business class passengers got to make their own ice cream sundaes once again.

Flying long-haul with United in business class before the pandemic meant you were guaranteed a visit from the ice cream sundae cart.

Sadly, along with most other perks of flying in business class, the service was removed due to strict COVID-related emergency health and safety protocols.

The news will certainly be welcomed by frequent United flyers at a time when most other airlines have already fully restored their service in premium cabins.

The Instagram post depicts a member of United’s cabin crew wheeling a cart down the business-class cabin with bowls of white vanilla ice cream along with a bunch of toppings and sauces for extra sweetness and flavor.

Hot Tip: Flying United’s business class doesn’t have to be as costly as you might think thanks to the airline’s frequent flyer program — MileagePlus. There are so many ways to earn MileagePlus miles that you could be making your own ice cream sundae in the sky before you know it. 

Passengers can choose from as many of the fruit and candy toppings as they wish. In days gone by, the cart also featured a selection of additional dessert options.

While passengers will have to wait until February to be guaranteed an ice cream sundae on their United business-class flights, those who are booked on long-haul services from San Francisco before then could be in for an ice cream-shaped surprise before the full rollout in February.

Final Thoughts

Nothing says luxury like making your own ice cream sundae while soaring above clouds.

It’s great to see that United is at the stage in its post-pandemic recovery where it feels it’s able to add the finishing touches to the premium service that its frequent business class travelers grew to love in the years before the pandemic.

All that remains to ask is, will you be able to resist?