United to serve free beer, wine, hot meals in coach on long flights

United Airlines will give coach class customers a little love this spring: It’s bringing back free beer and wine, and serving three-course meals on its long-haul flights.

United will overhaul its food and beverage service for economy passengers on transatlantic and transpacific itineraries as well as flights from the U.S. to Argentina, Brazil and Chile, the airline announced Wednesday.

The service is scheduled to begin June 1.

For three-course meals, economy fliers can expect to start with cheese and crackers options or bruschetta chips.

Main course dishes include a turkey meatloaf in barbecue sauce, Tuscan ravioli with red pepper sauce and a stir-fry dish with udon noodles and vegetables. Sides and extras include artisan breads, salads and, for dessert, gelato, sorbet, ice cream or mousse.

Beer and wine are free, though passengers also have the option of buying a cocktail or half-bottle of premium wine.

If you don’t like the food or you’re still hungry, you can always buy something else. The airline is bringing its Choice Menu Snack Shop to long flights. Snacks cost $3.99 for items such as Chex Mix or gummy bears, and $7.99 to $8.99 for snack boxes with cheese, crackers and additional items.

United and its United Express service operate more than 5,000 flights a day, the airline announcement says. It served 138 million passengers on almost 2 million flights in 2014.