Air travel for economy passengers has significantly changed over the past few decades.
Things like free checked bags, adequate legroom, and a complimentary meal for flights lasting more than two hours used to be included in your ticket price.
Now, in comparison, those are considered perks, often coming at a significant price increase.
What we don’t see very often, however, is airline staff actually addressing this or taking any responsibility for it. In a video posted last year that gained traction again after repost account @journey123411 shared it, that’s exactly what a United Airlines pilot did.
The video, originally shot and posted by Nancy Kaatz (@im_so_nancy), which got over 4.4 million views, shows the pilot apologizing to passengers for the lack of any food, snacks, or drinks beyond water on a roughly four-hour flight.
“The United pilot apologizing bc there’s only water as an option on this 4 hour flight,” she wrote in the video’s text overlay.
What Did The United Airlines Pilot Say?
“First and foremost, we have not done you right,” the pilot begins. “I am disappointed in my company and the way that we failed you today.”
According to him, the issue came down to a recent switch in catering.
“They switched us over to a new company, and they do not have it together yet,” he says, encouraging passengers to include that in their feedback.
He adds that if it were up to him, there would have been food available at the gate to make up for it. Despite the situation, he tries to reset the tone of the flight.
“I’d like to put together a team today of you and me and my crew… let’s have a great time doing it,” he says.
“He’s so cute I love him but like @United Airlines c’mon…. This ain’t your first rodeo,” Kaatz wrote in the video’s caption. “No snacks or drinks other than water?! I literally just flew 12 hours from Japan and now have to sit on this flight for another 4 hours.”
Commenters React To The Pilot’s Response
In the comments, viewers had mixed reactions, with some appreciating the pilot speaking up while others downplayed the situation.
“Good man for stepping up instead of having a stewardess do it,” one person wrote.
“I get being mad about this on a long haul flight, but THREE HOURS?!? Nah, I’ll survive with just water,” another added.
Some focused on a different part of his speech.
“Bro casually threw in there that he used to fly A10’s. Friendliest badass in the sky,” a third wrote.
Others questioned a detail in the original video, pointing out that the pilot announced a flight time of three hours and three minutes, while Kaatz described it as four hours.
“So not a 4 hour flight?” one user asked.
However, Kaatz clarified in the comments that she was also counting taxiing and tarmac time.
Does United Airlines Usually Provide Food On A 3-Hour Flight?
On domestic economy flights, United Airlines typically offers free snacks like quinoa crisps, snack mix, or a stroopwafel on routes between 300 and 500 miles.
For longer flights, those over 1,190 miles, or about two hours, passengers can purchase additional food, including hot meals on select routes.
International flights usually include more perks, such as complimentary meals and drinks.
@im_so_nancy_ He’s so cute I love him but like @United Airlines c’mon…. This ain’t your first rodeo…no snacks or drinks other than water?! I literally just flew 12 hours from Japan and now have to sit on this flight for another 4 hours …. 👀 #united #unitedairlines #unitedflight #airlineproblems
BroBible has reached out to United Airlines and Kaatz via email for comment and additional details.