30 November 2023 , 16:21
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An airline is launching an onboard snack bar which lets passengers grab their own food and make themselves a drink.
Customers onboard some United Airlines planes will no longer have to rely on the flight attendant hail button when they are in need of a little replenishment.
The walk-up 'Grab-N-Go' station will be trialled on United's new Airbus A321neo planes, which will make its first flight on November 30 from Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Passengers will be able to the station and grab themselves something from a "limited supply of water and the snacks offered during the complimentary service".
Items on offer include fruit bars, chocolate quinoa crisps and savoury snack mix, according to Business Insider. "This new offering is just the latest in United's ongoing efforts to up-level the customer experience for every customer, in every cabin," a statement from United reads.
United is trialling the snack bar (NurPhoto via Getty Images)As it currently stands, guests will not be able to pour themselves alcoholic drinks from the trolley. It remains to be seen if this is something that is introduced if the trial is successful, or if the snack station is rolled out to other United aircraft.
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Robert W. Mann, an airline consultant, has questioned whether other customers may find it inconvenient to have their fellow passengers congregating next to the nearby snack bar as they're trying to sleep or watch a film.
Another bit of innovation to the tried and tested plane layout raised eyebrows when it was unveiled earlier this year. Entrepreneur Alejandro Núñez Vicente caused quite the stir after he unveiled a prototype for a double decker plane layout at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany. In the prototype, seats are spaced out with top and bottom rows instead of all being the same level, with the idea being that it would give passengers more leg room and space than current configurations.
Dubbed the Chaise Longue dual-level airplane cabin, the new layout would mean no overhead bins, with storage between the rows instead. In an Instagram post showcasing the prototype Alejandro Núñez Vicente said he wants to "make the economy class better for all those travellers that can't afford more expensive tickets".
However, not everybody seems to be impressed by the new design. Over on Reddit, some skeptical holidaymakers were quick to point out that the layout of the design means that if you're on the bottom row, you may end up with your face near the proximity of someone else's behind
One person also questioned what solution would be on offer for those who have mobility issues, if they're unable to book a bottom row but can't use the stairs provided in the cabin.
Others were intrigued by the concept, with some praising it as an innovative solution to some of the classic issues we all face such as lack of legroom, or not wanting to cause drama by reclining your seat.