Post #269604 by PremEx on Thu, Nov 30, 2006 12:21 PM

So, PremEx, let's get to the important question: How do the Mai Tai's on the flights taste? I wouldn't expect them to be as good as the real deal since I'm sure they're made from a mix. But they might be good enough to make the trip enjoyable.

They're excellent for semi-scratch ones...IMHO, and we always look forward to them! They use the Trader Vic's Mai Tai Mix (not the pre-made Mai Tai with booze already included stuff). In First Class they start with Trader Vic's Mai Tai Mix, fresh squeezed lime juice, then a float of Trader Vic's Dark Rum (sometimes they substitute Meyer's Dark Rum...must be an inventory issue), garnished with a United Tiki swizzle-stick with pineapple spear, lime slice, and a cherry. In a real Mai Tai glass. Most often they also have Trader Vic's Silver Rum onboard too, and they ask if you'd like both light and dark rums, or have a preference for one over the other. But the default is the dark rum. Back in Economy they're doing basically the same thing without as much garnish and in a standard airline cocktail plastic cup.

So IMHO...United does a great job with their airborne Mai Tais. At United's private membership Red Carpet Club at Honolulu Airport...one of the bartenders makes fantastic Mai Tais from scratch! And you can sit there by the window to enjoy it while looking at your final view of Diamond Head past the runways. :)

The Trader Vic's food items in First are a selection of 3 Vic's entrées and assorted accompaniments using Trader recipes and ingredients. Ice Cream sundae topped with the Trader's Praline sauce topping. Very nice.

United has had a long on again/off again relationship with Trader Vic's over the years. This one is just their latest.

United is one of the only major legacy airlines that serves Mai Tais to/from Hawaii. Even when there is no official Trader Vics marketing promo going on...United serves basically the same Mai Tai...only sometimes substituting Mr. T's Mai Tai Mix for the Traders brand. But even then...most of the time it's Traders.

My United collection has tons of old Trader Vics/United paraphernalia in it. Tiki swizzlers, tiki coasters, glasses, promotional tiki key chains, etc, etc. Even United/Trader cookbooks that were sold in stores.

United's pretty much the only one of the majors where you get some Aloha spirit to Hawaii. Most of the others...it's just a flight like any other.

Although I do miss the old days when the United Flight Attendants (or Stewardesses as they were known then) wore special Aloha uniforms and mumus.