Google scientist slams United Airlines’ first-class meal; gets ‘3D-printed mystery meat’: ‘Highly recommend flying private’

He went on to criticise the food, calling it “3D-printed mystery meat” paired with “cafeteria cheese cubes,” and joked that the whole tomato “needed a chainsaw” to slice. The post quickly took off, crossing 13 million views within days.

Check out the post:

Hey @united is this a joke? I just flew 5+ hours in First Class and this bowl of sadness is what you serve me for dinner.

Between the 3D-printed mystery meat, the cafeteria cheese cubes, and the whole tomato I need a chainsaw to cut, this is genuinely unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/UOauCoqLAH

— Peyman Milanfar (@docmilanfar) January 4, 2026

United Airlines responded publicly, apologising for the experience. “We’re sorry the meal didn’t meet your expectations, Peyman. This is not the experience we want for you,” the airline said, asking him to share his booking details via direct message so the issue could be reviewed.

Milanfar later followed up with a proposal aimed at turning the situation into something positive. Tagging the airline again, he suggested, “Hey @united, let’s turn this culinary disaster into a humanitarian win: You refund my ticket. I donate 100% of it to @WCKitchen… Ball’s in your court.” United has not yet replied to that suggestion.

The incident triggered a flood of reactions online, with many users using the moment to criticise the broader decline of first-class travel. One person remarked, “First class used to feel special. Now it’s just points, miles, and the right credit cards… Nothing exclusive about it anymore.” Another commented, “Any american airline first class is just European premium economy ngl, wish it wasn’t so.”

Others took a more sarcastic tone. One user suggested, “i highly recommend flying private, you can have a chef prepare whatever you want beforehand.”

Not all responses were sympathetic. Scott Kupor took a swipe at Milanfar, writing, “And we wonder why some people find tech leaders insufferable.”

This is rich coming from you, Scott. I’m just expecting the service I paid for. You’re here insulting me while defending incompetence. If accepting garbage without complaint is your new benchmark for leadership, I think we both know who the actual “insufferable” one is here.

— Peyman Milanfar (@docmilanfar) January 4, 2026

Milanfar fired back, saying, “I’m just expecting the service I paid for. You’re here insulting me while defending incompetence. If accepting garbage without complaint is your new benchmark for leadership, I think we both know who the actual ‘insufferable’ one is here.”

Indians and other airlines also jumped on the trend and started posting meals of their flights. An Indian user wrote, “Meanwhile Air India serves full meals including Papad in domestic business class flight. That’s Indian hospitality for you.”

Meanwhile Air India serves full meals including Papad in domestic business class flight ✈️

That’s Indian hospitality for you ❤️ https://t.co/bFk3YOSNJ2 pic.twitter.com/qEZkvilj7k

— Vineeth K (@DealsDhamaka) January 5, 2026

Turkish Archives commented, “Nice business class meal. This is economy in Turkish Airlines.”