Key Takeaways
• United Airlines switched catering to LSG Sky Chefs at SFO on May 14, 2025, causing food shortages on flights.
• First and business class passengers receive cold snacks; economy class mostly gets only water; compensation is inconsistent.
• United expects catering issues to last several more weeks; operational problems include improper deliveries and food delays.
United Airlines Faces Prolonged Catering Crisis at San Francisco International Airport
United Airlines is facing a major catering crisis at its San Francisco International Airport (SFO) hub, affecting thousands of travelers and causing widespread frustration among passengers and crew. The disruption began on May 14, 2025, when United switched its catering provider from Gate Gourmet to LSG Sky Chefs. What was supposed to be a smooth transition has instead led to food and beverage shortages on many flights, with no clear end in sight.
What Happened: The Start of the Crisis
On May 14, 2025, United Airlines began working with a new catering company, LSG Sky Chefs, at San Francisco International Airport. The change was meant to improve the food and drink service for passengers. However, almost immediately, problems started to appear. Flights began leaving SFO without enough meals, snacks, or drinks for passengers. Some flights had no food at all, and others had only water to offer. Even ice was missing on many flights.
United Airlines had hoped these issues would be fixed quickly. But as of May 27, 2025, the problems are still happening. According to internal messages seen by news outlets, the airline now expects the disruptions to last for several more weeks.
How the Crisis Affects Passengers
The catering crisis has made flying with United Airlines from San Francisco International Airport a much less pleasant experience for many travelers. The problems are not limited to one group of passengers—they affect everyone, from those in first class to those in economy.
First and Business Class Passengers
- Hot meals have been replaced with cold, pre-packaged snack boxes on many flights, even on long trips across the country or to other countries.
- The premium service that United Airlines promises to its top-paying customers has been downgraded, hurting the airline’s reputation with frequent business travelers.
- Some passengers have received electronic travel certificates or extra airline miles as compensation, but this is not consistent. Many travelers report getting nothing at all.
Economy Class Passengers
- Food options for purchase are limited or not available at all on many flights.
- Beverage service is often restricted to just water, with no coffee, tea, or soft drinks.
- Most economy passengers have not received any compensation for the lack of food or drinks.
- Many travelers only find out about the catering problems after they have boarded the plane, leaving them with no chance to buy food in the airport.
Jake Decker, a passenger from the East Bay, told ABC7 News that he was not told about the food shortage until after he boarded his flight to Denver. He said he was especially worried for “seniors or traveling families that are expecting to feed their kids or people who would have to take medication.”
Operational Problems Behind the Scenes
The switch from Gate Gourmet to LSG Sky Chefs has caused more than just empty stomachs. It has also created chaos for United Airlines staff and flight crews.
- Some catering deliveries have arrived in garbage bags instead of proper food containers, raising concerns about food safety and cleanliness.
- Used food carts from previous flights have been left on planes, making it harder for crews to serve passengers.
- Long-haul international flights have been delayed while waiting for food to be loaded, causing missed connections and further frustration.
- On some flights to places like Hong Kong, only economy class meals have been loaded, leaving first and business class passengers without the meals they paid for.
United Airlines has tried to respond by:
- Notifying some passengers in advance when meals will not be available.
- Giving $15 vouchers to some affected passengers so they can buy food in the airport before boarding.
- Working closely with LSG Sky Chefs to fix the problems.
- Focusing on stabilizing and recovering their catering services.
A United spokesperson said, “United is working to transition our catering provider in San Francisco. Most flights depart on time and with the expected meal service. Whenever we know that an expected meal will not be available, we will notify our customers prior to their flight. We are working to ease this transition and return to our regular catering service in San Francisco as soon as possible.”
Voices from the Front Lines: Stakeholder Perspectives
United Airlines
United Airlines has admitted there are problems but insists that most flights are leaving on time with the expected food and drink service. The airline has not made a public apology but says it is “closely monitoring the situation and working to return operations to normal.”
LSG Sky Chefs
LSG Sky Chefs, the new catering company, also recognizes the challenges. A spokesperson said, “We recognize the challenges that can come with a transition of this size and scope. We’re working as quickly as possible to deliver the full-service catering experience United’s customers have come to enjoy from their SFO hub. We will continue to work closely with United to quickly restore full catering services.”
Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA)
The union that represents United Airlines flight attendants has sent an internal memo to its members. The memo warns that “additional catering or service modifications” may continue for several weeks. The union says United management gave them a detailed plan for handling the transition, but the plan has not worked as expected.
Flight Attendants
Flight attendants are on the front lines of this crisis. Many have shared their frustration and embarrassment online. They say it is difficult to explain the situation to angry or disappointed passengers, especially when they have little information themselves and few resources to offer.
Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture
This catering crisis could not have come at a worse time for United Airlines. Earlier in 2025, the airline announced a $150 million investment in food and beverage improvements. United claimed that customer satisfaction had gone up by 12% in the first quarter of the year. The airline also announced that San Francisco would be the base for its new “Elevated” cabin concept, with new Polaris suites on flights to London and Singapore.
The current crisis threatens to undo much of that progress. Passengers who paid for premium service are now getting less than what they expected. United’s reputation with business travelers and frequent flyers is at risk. If the problems continue, some customers may choose to fly with other airlines in the future.
How Did This Happen? Industry Analysis
Industry experts believe that United Airlines may have rushed the switch to LSG Sky Chefs. Clint Henderson, an airline analyst at The Points Guy, said, “It sounds like, to me, United may have cut over caterers a little too soon. So they’ve got to get this resolved. And, unfortunately, it sounds like this is going to drag on for some weeks.”
Changing catering providers is a complex process. It involves not just preparing food, but also making sure it is delivered to the right flights at the right time, following strict safety and cleanliness rules. When things go wrong, the impact is felt by everyone—passengers, flight crews, and airport staff.
What Passengers Can Do
If you are flying with United Airlines from San Francisco International Airport in the coming weeks, experts recommend:
- Bring your own food or buy food in the airport before boarding your flight.
- Check your email and flight status for any updates from United about catering issues.
- If you are affected by a lack of food or drinks on your flight, ask the crew if compensation is available, such as a voucher or extra miles.
- If you have special dietary needs or need to take medication with food, plan ahead and bring what you need with you.
For more information about your rights as an airline passenger, you can visit the official U.S. Department of Transportation website: Airline Passenger Rights.
What’s Next for United Airlines?
United Airlines says it is working hard to fix the catering crisis at San Francisco International Airport. However, internal messages suggest that the problems could last for several more weeks. There is no official timeline for when things will return to normal.
The airline is under pressure to solve the crisis quickly. If the problems continue, United risks losing loyal customers and damaging its reputation as a premium carrier. The crisis also raises questions about how airlines manage big changes behind the scenes and how they communicate with passengers when things go wrong.
Lessons for the Airline Industry
This situation at San Francisco International Airport is a reminder of how important food and drink service is to the overall travel experience. For many passengers, especially those on long flights, having a meal or a drink is not just a luxury—it is a basic expectation.
Airlines must plan carefully when making big changes to their operations. They need to have backup plans in place and communicate clearly with both staff and passengers. When things go wrong, quick and honest communication can help reduce frustration and keep customers loyal.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the United Airlines catering crisis shows how even well-planned investments in customer service can be undone by poor execution and lack of preparation. The airline industry is highly competitive, and passengers have many choices. Airlines that fail to deliver on their promises risk losing business to competitors.
The Human Side: Real Stories from Passengers and Crew
The crisis has real consequences for people. Passengers like Jake Decker have been caught off guard, worried about how they will manage long flights without food or drinks. Families traveling with children, seniors, and people with medical needs are especially affected.
Flight attendants, too, are under stress. They must deal with upset passengers and try to provide good service with limited resources. Many have shared their experiences online, hoping that the airline will listen and make changes.
What Should United Airlines Do Now?
To regain trust, United Airlines should:
- Communicate clearly and honestly with passengers about what to expect on their flights.
- Offer fair compensation to all affected passengers, not just a select few.
- Work closely with LSG Sky Chefs to fix the problems as quickly as possible.
- Support flight attendants and staff who are dealing with the fallout from the crisis.
- Review and improve their planning processes to prevent similar problems in the future.
Final Thoughts and Practical Takeaways
The United Airlines catering crisis at San Francisco International Airport is a reminder that even small details can have a big impact on the travel experience. Passengers expect reliable service, especially when they pay for premium tickets. When airlines fail to deliver, the effects are felt by everyone involved.
If you are flying with United Airlines from SFO soon, bring your own food and drinks just in case. Stay informed by checking your flight status and email for updates. If you are affected by the crisis, don’t hesitate to ask for compensation or support.
For the latest updates on airline operations and passenger rights, always check official sources like the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The situation is still developing, and United Airlines will need to act quickly to restore confidence and keep its customers happy. Passengers, crew, and industry watchers will be paying close attention to how the airline handles the coming weeks.
Learn Today
Catering Provider → A company responsible for preparing and delivering food and beverages for airline passengers during flights.
LSG Sky Chefs → A global airline catering company currently supplying United Airlines at San Francisco International Airport.
Premium Service → Enhanced food and drink offerings provided to first and business class passengers on flights.
Flight Connections → Scheduled times allowing passengers to transfer between flights during their travel journey.
Compensation → Reimbursement or benefits given to passengers affected by service failures, such as vouchers or miles.
This Article in a Nutshell
United Airlines’ catering crisis at San Francisco Airport disrupted flights since May 14, 2025, causing food shortages and passenger frustration. The airline switched providers to LSG Sky Chefs, but problems persist with cold snacks replacing hot meals, affecting all classes and delaying international flights.
— By VisaVerge.com
