Let's Take a Day Trip

When flying first class, I always look forward to the food options available on board. It’s one of those small perks that can completely change the tone of a trip—especially on an early morning departure.

Recently, my son and I took a trip to Burbank, California, on United Airlines, departing from Chicago O’Hare with a connection through San Francisco. To my surprise, we were upgraded to first class about 14 hours before our 6 a.m. departure—even with only Premier Silver status. That upgrade alone set the tone for what turned out to be a really enjoyable travel day.

Since we were already outside of the 24-hour window to preselect our meals, we had to go with whatever was being offered onboard. Our flight attendant came by and mentioned lemon ricotta pancakes. If you know me, you know I’m a pretty basic eater, so I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect—but I figured I’d give it a try.

Once we reached cruising altitude and the turbulence settled, breakfast service began. What arrived in front of us honestly caught me off guard.

The pancakes were presented in a clean white dish, looking more like something you’d get at a sit-down brunch spot than on an airplane. Two perfectly round, golden pancakes sat side by side, with a warm blueberry compote surrounding them and a light citrus glaze that subtly hinted at the lemon flavor.

They looked good—but the taste is what really sold it.

The pancakes were soft, fluffy, and surprisingly rich without being heavy. The ricotta added a smooth texture and just enough depth to make them feel elevated, while the blueberries brought a natural sweetness that didn’t overwhelm the dish. It was balanced, flavorful, and honestly one of the better in-flight breakfasts I’ve had.

On the side was a chia seed pudding topped with fresh fruit—pineapple, kiwi, and shredded coconut. While it looked fresh and colorful, I’ll admit I didn’t try it. In that moment, I stuck with what I knew, especially after seeing how good the pancakes were.

Overall, I was genuinely impressed. For a meal we didn’t even get to choose ahead of time, United delivered something that felt thoughtful, well-prepared, and satisfying. It’s moments like this that remind me how much a first-class upgrade—even a last-minute one—can elevate the entire travel experience.

And for a 6 a.m. flight? I’ll take fluffy pancakes like that every time.