3D-Printed Mystery Meat in a Bowl of Sadness Triggers Global Backlash Over United Airlines First Class
A United Airlines passenger's first-class meal has shocked millions after the Google scientist who received it claims he was served '3D-printed meat.' Peyman Milanfar, who leads Google's computational imaging team, posted a stunning image of the dinner he received on a long-distance flight while in the plane's premium cabin. Describing the meal as a 'bowl of sadness,' Milanfar revealed a bowl of mixed greens, sliced cucumbers, a large uncut tomato, small blocks of yellow cheese, large green seeds, and chunks of an unrecognizable pale sliced meat. 'Between the 3D-printed mystery meat, the cafeteria cheese cubes, and the whole tomato I need a chainsaw to cut, this is genuinely unbelievable,' Milanfar posted on his X account on January 4.
Public Firestorm and Side-By-Side Comparisons With Competitors
The post quickly went viral this month, with over 15 million views, and sparked fierce criticism of United Airlines' service, especially from fellow flyers. 'That seems like it was meant for a turtle, not a human,' one person said, replying to Milanfar's post. 'Somehow this looks less appetizing than a lean cuisine,' another social media user joked. 'Throwing a whole tomato into the bowl is insane,' an X user commented. Meanwhile, others on social media snapped their own pictures of what United's competition was serving on board their flights, revealing a stark difference in the menus and presentation by some international carriers. Flyers on Delta, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates responded to Milanfar's midflight horror by showing off trays with easily recognizable slices of beef, chicken, or turkey, sides of rice and beans, and plates of salad and cheese separated from the rest of the meal. One eagle-eyed X user also asked why Milanfar's whole uncuttable tomato had a triangular shape. According to United, the airline provides complimentary meals in First Class on most domestic flights longer than about 1,450 kilometers, which would include flights like Milanfar's that lasted over five hours. United's website called the meal a 'hot entrée,' served with salad, bread, a dessert, and drinks. The airline has also noted that they offer a variety of meal options passengers can sometimes pre-order in advance, including grilled chicken, beef meatballs, or other entrees. Despite the Google scientist's claim that the food he was served appeared to be 3D-printed, no airline, including United, has said they use 3D-printed foods in their in-flight meals. Passengers on other airlines quickly shared their meals, showing off plates with easily recognizable options, including meat, seafood, salads, and cheeses. Flyers on social media mocked the United Airlines meal, comparing it to a plate of food for someone's pet animal. United has not publicly provided detailed ingredient lists for specific meals or disclosed where their meat comes from on their official website. However, in 2022, the airline did announce that they had formed a new collaboration between Impossible Foods to serve more menu items that include plant-based meat alternatives, including the company's 'Impossible Meatball Bowl.' Aaron McMillan, United's Managing Director of Hospitality and Planning, said in a statement at the time: 'We want our food offerings to evolve and change along with people's preferences.' 'The quality of food choices at the airport and in the sky are a really important part of the customer experience, so we're invested in making sure our menu items exceed their expectations,' McMillan added. Unimpressed with their First Class offering, Milanfar challenged the airline to refund the cost of his ticket, pledging to give all of the money to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides chef-prepared meals to victims of disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and wars. 'Let’s turn this culinary disaster into a humanitarian win. Ball's in your court,' the Google researcher posted on January 5. Milanfar has not said publicly if United Airlines has responded to his social media post.
Policy, Partnerships and the Humanitarian Challenge
The airline has not publicly confirmed or denied whether they use 3D-printed meats in their in-flight meals. The Daily Mail has reached out to United Airlines for comment regarding their meal policies and ingredients and is awaiting a response. According to United, the airline provides complimentary meals in First Class on most domestic flights longer than about 1,450 kilometers, which would include flights like Milanfar's that lasted over five hours. United's website called the meal a 'hot entrée,' served with salad, bread, a dessert, and drinks. The airline has also noted that they offer a variety of meal options passengers can sometimes pre-order in advance, including grilled chicken, beef meatballs, or other entrees. However, no airline, including United, has said they use 3D-printed foods in their in-flight meals. In 2022, the airline announced a new collaboration with Impossible Foods to serve more menu items that include plant-based meat alternatives, including the company's 'Impossible Meatball Bowl.' Aaron McMillan, United's Managing Director of Hospitality and Planning, said in a statement at the time: 'We want our food offerings to evolve and change along with people's preferences.' 'The quality of food choices at the airport and in the sky are a really important part of the customer experience, so we're invested in making sure our menu items exceed their expectations,' McMillan added. Unimpressed with their First Class offering, Milanfar challenged the airline to refund the cost of his ticket, pledging to give all of the money to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides chef-prepared meals to victims of disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and wars. 'Let’s turn this culinary disaster into a humanitarian win. Ball's in your court,' the Google researcher posted on January 5.
