inflight meals

Tag Archives for inflight meals.

Airlines Eliminate Onboard Food: Is It Coronavirus Or Cost Cutting?

by Gary Leff on June 2, 2020

Jun 02 2020

Airlines have cut back inflight food and beverage offerings both for social distancing (to reduce passenger – flight attendant contact) and for cost savings. I’ve written that post-pandemic I don’t expect inflight product investment to return right away, as airlines work to repair their balance sheets after borrowing unprecedented sums to stay in business.

Soon though airlines are going to have to differentiate the premium cabin experience to recover, or else they’ll be unable to sell premium fares.

American Airlines Testing A New First Class Snack Box

by Gary Leff on May 6, 2020

May 06 2020

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. Here’s what’s inside.

American Airlines Brings Back Food On Flights Under 4 Hours

by Gary Leff on April 30, 2020

Apr 30 2020

When American Airlines announced the suspension of most meal service in late March, it made sense. This substantially reduced interactions between customers and flight attendants.

At the time the airline said this suspension would last through April 30. I assumed it would be suspended indefinitely. However it turns out that American is bringing back some catering on flights less than 2200 miles effective May 1. This is available to all passengers in all cabins.

Four New Meals Introduced On American Airlines Domestic Flights

by Gary Leff on March 3, 2020

Mar 03 2020

Instead of replacing all of their domestic first class meals at once, as they’ve had in the past, American Airlines has been replacing a few items at a time on a rolling basis.

The airline has introduced four new entrees and two salads.

United Airlines Will Start Offering Free Food On More Coach Flights Starting March 1

by Gary Leff on February 20, 2020

Feb 20 2020

United has been testing giving out complimentary sandwiches in coach on the Chicago O’Hare – Honolulu flight, and they’ve found that customers like it. They’re expanding the test to other long flights to and from Honolulu.

Starting March 11 You’ll Be Able to Select Your Meal in Advance On American Airlines Regional Jets

by Gary Leff on February 19, 2020

Feb 19 2020

American Airlines started letting customers pre-select their meals online when they’re flying in premium cabins back in the fall of 2012. Delta didn’t roll out this feature until early 2019 and United is still in testing.

While American moved forward with pre-orders for buy on board in coach, they didn’t actually extend pre-orders to first class on regional jets. That’s finally changing.

The Official American Airlines Onboard Service Policy Guide

by Gary Leff on January 22, 2020

Jan 22 2020

Whether you get a meal or a snack on American Airlines depends on the route you’re flying and what cabin you’re in. In addition to the length of flight and whether you’re in first class or coach, some routes get ‘special treatment’ and better food options than others.

Here’s a simple listing, with handy charts, so you’ll know what sort of meal or snack to expect on your next flight.

New Restaurant That Sells Airplane Food On The Ground Isn’t Very Good

by Gary Leff on January 5, 2020

Jan 05 2020

AirAsia wants to create Santan Restaurant and T&CO Cafe as a franchise with 100 outlets within 3-5 years, even expanding to New York. They see a market for an Asian version of American fast food chains. U.S. chains succeed even though they aren’t inherently great and charge more than local equivalents.

A model of bad food and high prices isn’t a great starting place except at airports and tourist spots, but that’s usually driven by high rents and a need to meet highly diverse tastes – people aren’t there for the food.

New Restaurant Serves Airplane Food on the Ground

by Gary Leff on December 7, 2019

Dec 07 2019

Did you ever think that your airline meal was so good you wished you had it at home? In 2014 Air Food One attempted home delivery of LSG Sky Chefs meals. They were delivering leftover airline food throughout Germany. That effort didn’t make it.

Now there’s a new attempt – a real restaurant that serves an airline’s meals on the ground.

Singapore Airlines To Stop Serving Its Iconic Lobster Thermidor

by Gary Leff on September 26, 2019

Sep 26 2019

Singapore Airlines offers perhaps the best main meals of any airline in premium cabins, although I’ve always found their snack service to be lacking.

The best feature is “Book the Cook” which isn’t just pre-order something that’s going to be on the plane anyway, but an extensive menu of specialty items to choose from in advance that the airline will have on board for you.