United Airlines is testing new self-service bars on planes that allow passengers to get up from their seats and grab free food

United Airlines will test a new self-serve snack bar on some of its flights, which will allow passengers to get up from their seats and grab free snacks and drinks themselves instead of relying on a flight attendant make to bring it.

If you’ve ever been on an airplane, you’re familiar with the long wait as you watch the cabin crew slowly push the food and beverage cart down the aisle.

But now United Airlines is trying a different method: one that lets travelers help themselves at a “Grab-N-Go” station.

The airline will implement the process on its newest aircraft, the Airbus A321neo, which will make its maiden flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport on November 30.

According to the company, the kiosks will offer a “limited supply of water and snacks” during the free service, but for now they will only open after airline employees have completed their first round of duty.

According to Business Insider, fruit bars, chocolate quinoa chips and a savory snack mix will be available, among others. The mode is only offered on flights longer than 801 miles.

“This new offering is just the latest in United’s ongoing efforts to improve the customer experience for every customer in every cabin,” United said in a statement to the store.

Jetblue has offered a similar snack bar on a limited number of flights since 2014.

Travel industry analyst Harry Harteveldt explained the move to the Washington Post: “These self-service kiosks will help airlines better satisfy their customers.”

“The passengers really like this.” And when the passengers are happy, the crew is happy, and when the crew is happy, the passengers are happier.

‘[The snack kiosks] This makes flights more comfortable for passengers and reduces the burden on cabin crew who have to run back and forth to serve individual passengers.”

He added that the service serves as a “small but significant point of differentiation” for United “in an industry that long ago became a homogenous lump of sameness.”

Items that will be available include water, fruit bars, chocolate quinoa chips and snack mix — and will be opened after airline employees complete their first duty call (stock photo).

“While 80 to 90 percent of what an airline does is common to all airlines, the remaining 10 to 20 percent is considered very important to differentiate itself from key competitors,” he continued.

“If part of that differentiation is a self-service checkout, then so be it.”

Will this eventually become the new norm for every airline and one day eliminate the need for flight attendants handing out snacks?

Robert W. Mann, an aviation consultant, told the Post, “It probably depends on cost, customer acceptance, comments and flight attendant comments after the flight.”

He also pointed out that there are some potential downsides: He explained that a large queue in the aisles could cause “inconvenience and inconvenience” to customers sitting nearby.