American Airlines suspended all food on flights under 4.5 hours back in March to accommodate social distancing requirements. Then on May 1 they introduced a snack bag and bottle of water for all customers as they board the aircraft on flights that are between 900 and 2199 miles long.
Now American is testing a snack box to bring back some food to first class, that doesn’t require flight attendant preparation. The airline told cabin crew on certain flights Tuesday,
We continue to navigate our way through all of the changes that have happened over the past couple of months, and thank you for your continued flexibility. We want to turn our attention to ways to bring back the service both you and our customers have come to expect while continuing to limit the number of touchpoints and provide social distancing.
On your flight today, we will be testing an expanded snack offering for our First Class customers. This will be in addition to the snack bag already provided for the full aircraft.
The new first class ‘mix and munch’ snack box contains almonds, craisins, Wheat Thins, gouda cheese
spread, Milano cookies, and a Purell wipe. It comes in a grey bag to differentiate itself from the snack bag provided to all passengers on the aircraft upon boarding (first class passengers get that, too).
The first class test snack boxes are being double catered out of hubs for both outbound and return flight segments, with one bag per first class seat.
Flight attendants lay out the box and bag at each first class seat, excluding the bulkhead row (which isn’t being used for social distancing from the jump seats), or at each reserved seat, prior to boarding. They then collect bags from any empty seat prior to departure.
And cabin crew are being queried about which method of distribution they used and why; whether they felt sufficiently socially distanced; whether first class passengers appeared to appreciate the ‘extra’ snack; and whether first class customers “would prefer a fresh sandwich over packaged snacks?”
This is just cheapness. Coronavirus is not a food-borne illness. They could easily cater boxed salads or sandwiches. Or give first-class customers a coupon at check-in for an airport restaurant. This is 100% cheapness and cost-cutting. I would be shocked if meals return to domestic flights before 2021.
I can just see greedy/selfish people swiping these off the FC seats as they board to basic economy
Some Trump supporter will inevitably eat the Purell disinfecting wipe thinking it’s for prevention and cure.
Stuart, please don’t give up your day job to become a comedian.
This snack box was exactly the same one I received sitting in the exit row on the ERJ145 from YYZ to LGA as an EP before covid. I have to agree this is cheapness at its finest.
In all fairness to AA, they are offering far more than Delta, which is offering no service to First Class customers at all.
The meal I would be most comfortable with is a HOT meal with the foil cover that I can at with a FORK and KNIFE.
Giving finger food is the least sanitary option. There’s a reason forks and knives caught on.
I love the DL snobs. . .if DL hasn’t thought of it, it’s cheap or stupid and if AA does it after DL they are copying them. Give me a break! I think this is a great idea for the shorter flights at the moment.
It is known that it’s not a food related illness, but the tray, plates, utensils and the closeness of the crew is what could transfer the virus. That’s what they are trying to avoid.
I agree with Greg. I want all my food cooked and of course I want to eat it with (hopefully sterilized and wrapped) utensils. Plastic disposable fork and knife would be fine. Since the epidemic, the only takeout I will eat or bring into my house for my family is cooked food. Last thing I want to be doing in first class or any class is eating with my hands. I don’t see full food service on airplanes as any more risky than takeout food or (now) eating in a restaurant with reduced capacity. If a FA with gloves or sterilized hands hands me a sealed, cooked hot meal to open and eat myself, I don’t see the problem with it. They can do away with hand poured beverages and just offer them in bottles.
Disgusting junk food. No thank you.
Good grief, why waste all the money of first class, if you don’t get a “decent” meal, wine and several drinks. Don’t suppose they’ll let you bring your own booze.
@stuart +10 Thought it is absolutely correct and funny.
Stuart and Rog… Why would a Trump supporter do that? They seem to be the only ones smart enough to realize that the president never said that people should take it upon themselves to ingest household chemicals. The only ones perpetuating that myth, in fact, are Trump detractors.
Ann… Wine and other alcohol are still available in first class, they’re just not available in coach on American.
@Michael Not a myth. chump supporters follow him thru hell and high water and that is why state’s poison control help lines were lit up like a Christmas tree. chump also suggested that injecting ultraviolet light would kill the virus. I half expect a chump supporter would stick a light bulb up their arse to see if it works.
Stuart – that Trump supporter line got me laughing and literally falling off the chair. Keep those coming, even though Jim, Who thought it was not funny. He must be on you know’s supporters!
@Michael – if you would stop watching Fox (Faux) News, then you would get the real story.
Pathetic as per usual AA
You really wonder if Parker lives and eats as crappy as the stuff they sling at premium passengers
American was superior in 2000 in every way
20 years later it’s one step up from the NYC subway
@Ann: Some airlines allow you to bring your own wine on-board, but flight attendants have to pour it for you.
@FNT Delta Diamond – how do you get the bottle of wine through security?
How embarrassing. Just ways to maximize profit. That was the US empire. hustlers, hucksters, and cheapness.