United lowers its Economy meal preorder threshold to flights over 900 miles

United announced on Oct. 19, 2026 that it is expanding meal preorder in United Economy to shorter flights across North America and the Caribbean. The mileage threshold drops from flights over 1,190 miles to flights over 900 miles. United says the change reaches 420 more flights a day and up to 65,000 more customers a day .

Preordering is done on united.com or in the United app. It opens five days before departure and closes 24 hours before. On united.com, look under "Trips"; app users get a notification when ordering opens. Menu items rotate monthly and include sandwiches, burgers, pasta and breakfast items. The release does not state prices or a separate effective date, and it cautions that preordered meals may not be available in certain circumstances (as of Oct 21, 2026; confirm on united.com).

The number: 900 miles, down from 1,190. What to do: Check your flight's "Trips" page five days out to see whether preorder is offered.

Sources

• United newsroom, Oct. 19, 2026: https://united.mediaroom.com/2026-10-19-United-Expands-Meal-Preorder-to-Shorter-Flights,-Giving-Up-to-65,000-More-Customers-Per-Day-Access-to-Time-Saving-Benefit