In 1991, United took their in-flight offerings to the next level for kids through a partnership with McDonalds. We didn’t know it at the time but the 1990s were a great time to be alive. Faced with intense competition and a sagging market, airlines went out of their way to gain your loyalty. Seats were large and comfortable. There was plenty of leg room and (even though we complained about it) nearly every flight had complimentary snacks and meals.
Happy Meal For United’s Happy Travelers
United introduced the McDonald’s “Friendly Skies Meals” for kids. Some kids today might call it a Happy Meal “taken to the heights.” Each meal included either a cheeseburger or macaroni and cheese, apple sauce, raisins, and McDonald’s milk and cookies for dessert plus the all important Happy Meal toy. As a kid, I remember trying one of these meals out on a trip. The burger tasted decent, similar to buying a McDonald’s cheeseburger at the airport and eating it 45 minutes later. It wasn’t cold but it wasn’t super fresh either.
The airline originally tested the option on flights to and from Orlando. They eventually expanded the offering nationwide for a time. In order to receive a meal, you had to reserve one at least six hours in advance. With no internet, it meant that you either had to reserve the meal when you booked your flight or call the 1-800 number and wait on hold before you arrived at the airport.
The Toys Are Still Collectables Today
Although United dropped the Happy Meal option just a few years later, there is one enduring aspect of this promotion. There are many people who collect Happy Meal toys and a number of online reviews of the cartoonish 747 toys that accompanied the meals. You can pick one up on Ebay for $5 to $30.
