United Airlines has removed tomato juice from its menu and people are losing it

United Airlines has been struggling with its image after a number of recent disturbing incidents, so one has to wonder about the timing of the company's decision to remove tomato juice from its beverage menu.

The change, which comes as part of a "streamlining" of services on flights under four hours long, will also zap Sprite Zero, Jim Beam, Courvoisier, and Amaretto from the selections for premium and economy customers, CNBC reports. Tomato juice, on the other hand, is being replaced by the humble Mr. & Mrs. T Bloody Mary Mix in order to appease fans of boozy liquid breakfasts, but it is doing little to satisfy those who prefer the simple pleasure of sipping a sandwich ingredient blended and served over ice.

"We are once again in full apology mode now onboard our flights," one insider explained to CNBC, "although the issue [of the disappearing tomato juice] is a more minor one compared to the forced removal of customers or suffocating dogs."

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There is some good news, although it won't do much to win over anyone who would find the difference between tomato juice and Mr. & Mrs. T Bloody Mary Mix offensive: Transcontinental United Airlines flights have added Ghirardelli-branded ice cream toppings for premium customers, now in shard-proof plastic cups.

Update May 11: United said in a statement that they will be bringing tomato juice back: "We want our customers to know that we value and appreciate them and that we're listening. Our customers told us that they were not happy about the removal of tomato juice so we're bringing it back onboard as part of our complementary beverage offering."