Tag Archives for inflight meals.
The airline has has said that we’ll see hot meals on trays “gradually return” over “the next several months” and also that regional carriers are going to offer real food on flights over 900 miles, similar to when mainline flights receive meals.
There’s a photo going around from an internal American Airlines meal display of dishes under consideration.
Weeks ago I reported that American Airlines was working to bring back hot meals to domestic first class over the coming months, replacing cold meal boxes.
The biggest challenge is supply chain, and that it takes time to ramp up this up after not having offered ‘real’ food on most flights for over a year. However we’re starting to see progress along these lines, and more details on what to expect.
Here’s a rather odd sight from an American Airlines flight out of Georgetown, Guyana: a catering cart filled to the brim with Pizza Hut pizza. That’s not the usual meal service from American.
Meal service on flights over 670 miles in domestic first class, and hot food at meal times on 1100+ mile flights, alcohol in all cabins, and food for sale in coach.
It’s only been two weeks since American Airlines introduced ‘fresh bites’ boxes to flights at least 900 miles long and already they’re planning to bring back hot meals to first class this fall.
United Airlines now offers pre-order meals, snacks, and drinks in coach starting five days prior to departure. So far this is only available on some flights out of Chicago to 4 markets but will “expand to all flights over 1,500 miles by early fall.”
American Airlines has introduced boxed (cold) meals to flights over 900 miles. In an employee meeting last week, Jodi Spicer (Managing Director of Onboard Dining), argued that this is a return to pre-Covid meal service.
A year ago American planned for cheaper catering when service returned. Lets hope these boxed meals are just the bridge to something better and not the destination themselves.
It’s not a return of hot meal service, but first class passengers on flights of 900 miles or more will again see something more than a shrink-wrapped turkey and cheese sandwich starting July 14.
American Airlines has a plan for first class meals. They are going to be smaller, with fewer items heated. And expect the bread to be served room temperature, though I’m not sure how they expect you to spread butter on rolls that haven’t been warmed. That’s according to explanations that were given to employees at question and answer sessions held last week by airline President Robert Isom, recordings of which were reviewed by View From The Wing.
United Airlines is bringing back meals to domestic first class flights over 1500 miles as well as flights between the airline’s hubs that are 800 miles or more. There will be a choice of entree, side dish, and a dessert served wrapped on a tray and this will replace the airline’s hot sandwiches and snack boxes.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
