Key Takeaways
• United Airlines switched from Gate Gourmet to LSG Sky Chefs at SFO, causing 835 layoffs and food service disruptions.
• First-class passengers now receive snack boxes instead of hot meals, leading to dissatisfaction and complaints about value.
• LSG Sky Chefs transition issues may persist for weeks, with unions and United collaborating to restore normal meal service.
United Airlines is facing one of its biggest catering problems in years at San Francisco International Airport. As the airline changes its catering provider from Gate Gourmet to LSG Sky Chefs, many flights are leaving without the usual food and drink options. This messy handover has hit first-class travelers the hardest, with snack boxes replacing the hot meals they usually expect. The trouble started in May 2025 and has not just changed the flying experience but also led to the largest layoff in California this year.
Let’s look at how this crisis unfolded, its impact on workers and customers, and why these changes matter for everyone connected to United Airlines at San Francisco International Airport.
United’s Vendor Switch at SFO: What’s Happening?
On May 13, 2025, United Airlines began switching its main food supplier at San Francisco International Airport. For years, Gate Gourmet handled food preparation, equipment, and other catering details. But United Airlines started moving its contract over to LSG Sky Chefs, another big player in airline food service. The switch meant Gate Gourmet lost its work at San Francisco International Airport, forcing it to lay off 835 people—mostly food preparers, dishroom staff, and the workers who set up equipment.
The official start of the transition was a few days later, on May 16, 2025. United Airlines had warned the workers’ union, the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), about the planned change and tried to make plans for a smooth transfer of duties. Still, things did not go as planned, and the result was described by flight attendants as “chaotic.” Flights left without receiving proper meals, and both crew and passengers were left scrambling to deal with the shortfall.
Effects on First Class: Snack Boxes Instead of Full Meals
The most obvious change, and the one sparking the greatest complaints, has hit first-class passengers. People who pay extra for premium seats usually expect a better experience, especially when it comes to food and drinks. Before the current situation, United Airlines offered multi-course meals on long flights, and even on shorter routes, first-class guests could expect something more filling than basic snacks.
Now, because of the service breakdown at San Francisco International Airport, United Airlines is giving first-class passengers snack boxes instead of real meals. These snack boxes are usually reserved for economy class, especially on flights where meals are not practical or when food service is interrupted. For first-class travelers used to hot meals and a wider selection of drinks, getting a small box of packaged snacks feels like a big downgrade.
It’s not just about food, either. For many travelers, the full meal and drink service are part of what makes premium seats worth the price. Without these extras, some are questioning what they are paying for and whether the airline is providing true value.
Inside the Snack Boxes: What’s Included?
United Airlines usually has a few standard snack box options when proper meals aren’t available. Here are the main types:
- Luxe Box: This comes with multigrain chips, olives, crackers, cheese spread, and chocolate-covered pretzels. The whole box features about 607 calories.
- Organic Box: Cheese crackers, granola, apple chips, a fruit stick, and chocolate are included. This box totals around 436 calories.
- Classic Box: Contains a mix of snack items similar to the other boxes, with about 616 calories altogether.
These boxes are made to be shelf-stable and easy to hand out, but they are not much of a replacement for a hot meal. Many first-class travelers have been upset to find these snack boxes instead of what they expect —a real meal on their flight.
What Passengers and Crew Are Saying
The Association of Flight Attendants has told its members to check for missing meals as soon as possible and quickly report any problems. Crew members are working closely with United’s management to deal with issues and try to keep service running as smoothly as possible. But with no hot food to serve, the crew have had to explain the change to frustrated travelers—especially in first class, where angry feelings are easy to spot.
Passengers who have paid premium prices for a better flying experience are not happy about getting snack boxes instead. This is not the first time United Airlines has faced criticism for serving what look like economy snacks in their first-class cabin, but the current change has brought more attention because of so many missing meals and drinks.
Some first-class customers have shared stories online about boarding flights from San Francisco International Airport, expecting a real meal only to find a snack box on their tray. These downgraded meals, along with missing drinks or limited choices, have led to complaints about service quality and value for money.
The Human Side: Hundreds of Layoffs at SFO
Behind the food service problems is a major human story. The change from Gate Gourmet to LSG Sky Chefs meant Gate Gourmet had to lay off 835 workers. For many, this announcement came in March 2025, but the actual layoffs took effect on May 13, 2025. This is the largest single group to lose their jobs in California so far this year.
Most of the affected workers were food preparers, dishroom helpers, and setup crews. Their union, UNITE HERE Local 2, spoke out about the job losses and said most of these workers are union members. There is hope that LSG Sky Chefs, the new provider, will hire many of them as it takes over United’s catering at San Francisco International Airport. For the moment, though, the handover has been rocky, making it unclear how quickly everyone will get back to work.
What Are the Usual Food Rules for United Airlines Flights?
Normally, United Airlines has well-defined standards when it comes to serving food, based mostly on the distance and length of a flight:
- First Class (Shorter Flights): On flights longer than 800 miles or that last at least 2 hours and 20 minutes, United usually offers a meal, such as a sandwich or salad. On even shorter flights, premium packaged snacks are given out.
- First Class (Longer Flights): On transcontinental flights (coast to coast) and flights to Hawaii, guests in first class enjoy a multi-course meal with heartier options. There are usually hot entrées and a wider selection of drinks.
- Economy Class: Most United flights in economy include snacks, like pretzels or cookies. For flights longer than about 3.5 hours, passengers can also buy food from a menu. Sometimes, snack boxes like those currently given to first-class passengers are offered in economy for an additional cost.
People expecting the usual premium meal experience right now are not getting what they paid for. As reported by VisaVerge.com, airline meal standards can be a major point of competition among carriers, especially on routes where business and first-class seats are pricier—or where travelers have other choices.
How Long Will This Go On? United’s Response and What’s Next
United Airlines has said the changes and missing meals are temporary as LSG Sky Chefs takes over and gets up to speed at San Francisco International Airport. The company has tried to prepare for possible problems, putting more staff at SFO to help crew members handle meal shortages or complaints. While more support is helpful, the day-to-day experience for travelers—especially first-class passengers—is still being affected.
The Association of Flight Attendants is working closely with United’s inflight management team. Both sides are hoping to fix problems quickly, with a goal to bring back regular meal service as soon as possible. Still, United says the disruption could last several weeks as LSG Sky Chefs finds its footing and works through the handover problems that come with such a big contract change.
Why Does This Matter for Immigration and Labor?
There’s also an important labor and immigration aspect here. Many airline catering workers are immigrants or come from communities where English may not be the first language. Large layoffs, like the 835 jobs lost at SFO, can have a huge impact on the local economy and on families who rely on these steady jobs. A disruption like this can also shake worker confidence and make future job transitions harder.
Mass layoffs of union members can also change the way labor organizers work with airlines and service companies. How fairly the process runs, how many people get rehired by LSG Sky Chefs, and how workers are treated during the transition all raise questions about labor rights. For workers on employment-based visas or with families tied to their jobs, a loss like this can have ripple effects on their immigration status and their daily lives in the United States 🇺🇸.
Airline catering companies often provide information about job openings and rehiring on their official websites. Workers interested in employment opportunities at LSG Sky Chefs or United Airlines can visit these sites or the official United Airlines careers page for updates on jobs and hiring during this ongoing transition.
What If I’m Flying United Through SFO?
If you have a United Airlines flight out from San Francisco International Airport soon, here’s what you need to know:
- Be ready for possible food and drink changes, even in first class.
- Bring extra snacks if you’re worried about not getting a proper meal, especially for longer flights.
- Check your reservation and United’s official travel alerts for any updates about food service.
- If you have food allergies or special meal requests, contact United Airlines ahead of time to ask about your options.
While this problem is most visible for first-class travelers, delays with drinks, snacks, and warm meals could also happen in economy. For more detailed and up-to-date information about United Airlines’ in-flight food service, visit the official United Airlines onboard dining page.
Looking Ahead: Lessons from the SFO Catering Crisis
Airlines often change suppliers to save money or try a new approach, but the troubles at San Francisco International Airport show that a big handover comes with risks. The switch from Gate Gourmet to LSG Sky Chefs was supposed to improve things for United Airlines and its passengers. Instead, the messy rollout has led to service cuts, unhappy travelers, and hundreds of job losses.
For now, snack boxes are standing in for real meals in first class, and hundreds of former Gate Gourmet workers remain in limbo, hoping for new jobs with LSG Sky Chefs. Both crew and passengers continue to feel the effects of the change, and the recovery could take several more weeks.
For travelers, it’s a reminder that even big, well-known airlines face big hurdles with behind-the-scenes changes. For workers—many of whom are from immigrant communities—it’s a stressful time with job security and future employment at stake.
United Airlines, its new catering partner, and union leaders must work together to replace chaos with stability. As the new plans settle in at San Francisco International Airport, travelers and workers alike hope that service—and job security—will return to normal soon.
In summary, the United Airlines situation at San Francisco International Airport goes far beyond a simple case of missing meals. It’s a story about job loss, union action, service quality, and the real people who work to keep flights running. For more updates on this developing story and immigration matters that affect airport workers, VisaVerge.com will continue to monitor changes and their wider impact.
Learn Today
Catering Provider → A company contracted to prepare, deliver, and serve food and beverages on airline flights, ensuring passenger meals.
Snack Box → A pre-packed selection of shelf-stable snacks, often served when standard hot meal service is unavailable or disrupted.
Layoff → The termination of employment for a group of workers, usually due to business changes rather than individual performance.
Union (AFA, UNITE HERE Local 2) → Organizations representing workers in collective bargaining and advocating for labor rights within airlines and catering companies.
LSG Sky Chefs → A major global airline catering company, recently contracted by United Airlines to provide onboard food service at SFO.
This Article in a Nutshell
United Airlines’ supplier switch at San Francisco International Airport has disrupted food service, leaving premium passengers with snack boxes instead of full meals. The change triggered 835 layoffs and widespread discontent. Both airline crews and travelers face a period of uncertainty while United works to restore regular service and stability.
— By VisaVerge.com
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