United Adds New Plant-based Options in the Air & Polaris Lounges

United Airlines is bringing in new plant-based dining options for some travelers.

The Chicago-based carrier has partnered with Impossible Foods to create 2 new dishes suitable for passengers who don’t eat meat.

“We want our food offerings to evolve and change along with people’s preferences – we’re proud to work with Impossible Foods and think our customers are really going to love these new options,” said Aaron McMillan, Managing Director of Hospitality and Planning at United.

Let’s take a look at where you’ll be able to feast on United’s new plant-based dishes.

Move Over, Meat

The 2 new dishes are an Impossible Meatball Bowl and Impossible Sausage.

The Impossible Meatball Bowl — an exclusive creation just for United Airlines — comes as a portion of 3 meatballs consisting of Impossible Beef (made from plants) and broccolini served atop a helping of couscous in a herb-infused tomato sauce.

“It’s exciting to see the airline bring new options to consumers that are better tasting and better for the planet,” said Dan Greene, Senior Vice President of Sales at Impossible Foods. “We think United flyers are going to love having access to Impossible dishes in the air and in the lounge.”

The Impossible Meatball Bowl will be offered to passengers traveling in first class on U.S. domestic flights of more than 800 miles. Eligible customers can now preorder the Impossible Meatball Bowl through United.com or the airline’s app.

And to take a bite of United’s new plant-based sausage dish you’ll have to pay a visit to a Polaris Lounge in Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), or San Francisco (SFO). Notable exceptions are Polaris lounges in Houston (IAH) and Washington, D.C. (IAD).

Hot Tip: United Polaris Lounges are the airline’s most premium lounge offering. You’ll get access if you’re either flying United Polaris on an international long-haul flight or if you’re flying with certain Star Alliance business and first class tickets. 

The Impossible Sausage will be available as an ingredient to add to an omelet and on the buffet as breakfast patties.

The move comes as, according to a United press release, more than half of U.S. consumers are now reducing their meat consumption in favor of plant-based alternatives.

Final Thoughts

United is upping its plant-based ante and providing tasty new options for its Polaris lounge guests and domestic first class flyers.

The Impossible Meatball Bowl and Impossible Sausage sound like appetizing dishes for both carnivores and omnivores alike.

It could only be a matter of time before more plant-based options appear in non-premium cabins, too.