Fuling From Australia, joined Apr 2011, 187 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (8 months 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 6186 times:
Just thinking about the Oceanic Region (because it is the region I focus most my attention on), there is Virgin Australia, Jetstar Airways and Air New Zealand. My guess for North America is United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, US Airways, Air Canada and Westjet. Europe, there would be the like of Ryanair, Easyjet and maybe Germanwings (?)
Just my 2 cents and my best guess.
usdcaguy From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 764 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (8 months 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 6089 times:
One question I have is why the US carriers do not sell warm meals on board. The stuff they throw in the carts never seems appetizing to me; too much dry bread and junk food. The fruit and cheese plate is not appetizing to me either. Just not enough water in any of that food. I'd rather pay $15 for a complete meat/carb/veg meal in advance and know that I'll have a good variety of things to eat.
Polot From United States of America, joined Jul 2011, 1589 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (8 months 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 6089 times:
You need to narrow your focus some. Are you talking domestic/shorthaul/intraeuropean/regional flights or long haul intercontinental flights? The US legacies, for example, offer BOB (buy on board) on domestic flights and flights to Canada/Mexico, but have complementary meals on their intercontinental flights.
Quoting usdcaguy (Reply 3): One question I have is why the US carriers do not sell warm meals on board.
Many US carriers don't have ovens in the Y galley (or in the process of removing them) on many of their domestic planes.
It is quite clear over the past 5-7 years of BOB that USA customers aren't willing to pay for meals, except maybe on Alaska. There is great spoilage cost with regular warm meals. Airlines in the USA have experimented with different meal options over the years with some like Air Tran abandoning the idea all together. I've flown Alaska and its the only airline where I saw pax buying hot meals.
DTWPurserBoy From United States of America, joined Feb 2010, 585 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (8 months 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 5999 times:
I just read that one airline, might have been US but don't quote me on that, was experimenting with passengers being able to pre-order (and pre-pay $15.00) for a hot meal to be boarded. One problem is that on many domestic aircraft all of the ovens have been removed for weight purposes. At most there might be one in front for crew meals.
I must admit that over the years I heard so many complaints about airline food (while I was clearing a totally cleaned tray) and passengers would say "I'd rather eat nothing than this slop." So I still smile--for once, the airlines listened to their passengers and now they are getting nothing--for free, anyway.
I am curious--if WN starts service to HNL will they be forced to serve food?
Actually, I have been pretty impressed with the quality (perhaps not the prices) of food choices available near the gates. You can get anything from a Wolfgang Puck sandwich to a California Kitchen pizza and carry it aboard. And I have seen (and eaten) some killer salads. This really puts all of the options in the passenger's hands where they should be.
Polot From United States of America, joined Jul 2011, 1589 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (8 months 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 5913 times:
Quoting DTWPurserBoy (Reply 6): I am curious--if WN starts service to HNL will they be forced to serve food?
I don't see why they would. They will probably give out the same snack boxes as they do (or did) on their transcons (it has been years since I have flown WN transcon)
PanHAM From Germany, joined May 2005, 7838 posts, RR: 27 Reply 8, posted (8 months 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 5889 times:
Quoting Fuling (Reply 1): Europe, there would be the like of Ryanair,
best you can get there is an overpriced unedible snack with overprized low quality drinks.
AB offers good meals made by Do & Co. DE offers meals to buy as well. One has to check before if the orices warrant buying meals on board a nflight or just eat before or after.
Which depends on the airport as well, if there#s only fast food available at the airports you got the A card.
LJ From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4167 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (8 months 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 5714 times:
Air France and KLM offer the Y class pax to buy a "premium meal" on some long haul routes. For an extra EUR 12 - 15 (or FF miles) you can get a better meal than the one they'll serve you if you don't use this option.
Pe@rson From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 18883 posts, RR: 54 Reply 10, posted (8 months 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 5668 times:
Quoting PanHAM (Reply 8): DE offers meals to buy as well.
When I flew LCA-FRA last month with DE, I had an inclusive meal. This was nice given I automatically assumed I didn't get anything and had not looked into it. Very nice (for an airline) it was too.
[Edited 2012-10-14 08:58:47]
"Everyone writing for the Telegraph knows that the way to grab eyeballs is with Ryanair and/or sex."
usdcaguy From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 764 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (8 months 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 5597 times:
Quoting Polot (Reply 4):
You need to narrow your focus some. Are you talking domestic/shorthaul/intraeuropean/regional flights or long haul intercontinental flights? The US legacies, for example, offer BOB (buy on board) on domestic flights and flights to Canada/Mexico, but have complementary meals on their intercontinental flights.
I'm talking about domestic US flights, all of them. Perhaps warm meals could be offered on flights with block times of over 2 hours.
Quoting Polot (Reply 4): Many US carriers don't have ovens in the Y galley (or in the process of removing them) on many of their domestic planes.
True, but perhaps they could use the ovens up in First and only sell a limited quantity on each flight as a trial. If the idea takes off, they could put ovens back in to sell more of them.
CoachClass From United States of America, joined Jan 2010, 361 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (8 months 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 5563 times:
Quoting DTWPurserBoy (Reply 6): just read that one airline, might have been US but don't quote me on that, was experimenting with passengers being able to pre-order (and pre-pay $15.00) for a hot meal to be boarded.
Looking at US site, the upgraded in-flight meals for international flights from PHL and CLT cost starting at $19, but they are chilled--not hot! The way I look at it is that the meal you purchased in advance actually costs at least $25.00. The complimentary meals-let's say costs $6.00-is priced into your fare. The web site says you can't get a free meal in addition to the purchased in-advance meal. So the cost of your purchased meal is $19.00 + 6.00= $25.00. Overall, I think I'd rather get a hot okay meal than a chilled pasta salad for $25.00
ordjoe From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 586 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (8 months 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 3941 times:
Quoting usdcaguy (Reply 11):
True, but perhaps they could use the ovens up in First and only sell a limited quantity on each flight as a trial. If the idea takes off, they could put ovens back in to sell more of them.
Those oven are generally sized enough to only handle F meals at least on the typical equipment for 2-3 hour flights. I am not a crew member, this is just my casual observation so correct me if I am wrong. If anything else I know on some of AA's newer 737s for example they would size the oven to just what they need.
Again even if you wanted to sell hot BOB meals the airline has to charge 15-20 to make it worth their while, not many are willing to pay that much. The other things as others mentioned as why would you not just pay that 15-20 on the ground and get a pretty dam good meal instead of buying a ok to mediocre meal in the air.
My 2 cents on airline food (I am 28 so I caught the tail end of food in Y even on 1 hour flights) is that it is not really needed anymore. Food probably started back in the regulation era where airlines could only differentiate themselves by the onboard product as fares where uniform depending on the route. Personally it seemed a lot of that food just went to waste, so I would rather just see the airline be financially stronger than to waste money on something most do not like in general. Also I can go 2 hours without eating.
When I fly long haul Y I just get a heavy meal with lots of red wine at the wolfgang puck or wherever, and might take some of the fruit or yougert for breakfast and I am fine hunger wise.
flymia From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 6323 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (8 months 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 3827 times:
Yea I don't remember the days of domestic meals much. I remember flying MIA-JFK in 2000 on DL we got a bistro bag a sandwich some chips and maybe dessert. Of course info expect meals on long hauls and when I fly MIA-LAX or something then you can easily get hungry while flying Y. I usually bring something like some fruit a filling protein bar etc.. If the flight is right around meal time I will make an effort to get to the airport a bit earlier and eat something on the ground. Last week I was one of those people who brought their lunch on the plane as I had a short connection. I made sure that I was nothing that would smell up the cabin.
I do enjoy having meals on a plane. There is just something special about eating, drinking and maybe even watching a movie or tv at 35,000ft. Something I enjoy a lot.
"It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)
reality From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 379 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (8 months 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 3091 times:
Quoting flymia (Reply 14): I do enjoy having meals on a plane. There is just something special about eating, drinking and maybe even watching a movie or tv at 35,000ft. Something I enjoy a lot.
I think this is a very important point that airlines are forgetting. It is pleasurable to sit back and relax and be served a (hot) meal and a glass of wine. Takes the edge off of the stress of flying. Unfortunately this is a thing of the past. Just not practical in today's economy and competitive environment.
ordjoe From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 586 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (8 months 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 2400 times:
Quoting reality (Reply 16): It is pleasurable to sit back and relax and be served a (hot) meal and a glass of wine.
Could not agree more. One of the best feelings in the world is in longhaul F or J have a nice meal, lie down with some wine and let your eyelids become so heavy you just fall asleep. Or getting the dessert I only get when flying is an ice cream sundae with a glass of baileys.
It is just in this era, the airlines know most people would rather see fares get cut a few bucks than to get a meal
crj900lr From United States of America, joined Mar 2011, 204 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (8 months 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 2342 times:
Quoting Polot (Reply 7): I don't see why they would. They will probably give out the same snack boxes as they do (or did) on their transcons (it has been years since I have flown WN transcon)
Its no longer a snack box where you used to get the cheese and crackers and whatever else was in there. Now its Lorna Dune cookies, some things that are supposed to be Nibsco chocolate chip crackers, and mini ritz crackers with the cheese. They also got the peanuts, possibly honey roasted if your lucky enough. On some flights they have vanilla wafers but from expierence they are usually hidded in the back galley in the drawer right above the recycling conatiner and are hardly given out.
AU795 From United States of America, joined Feb 2011, 13 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (8 months 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 2210 times:
Quoting crj900lr (Reply 18): Its no longer a snack box where you used to get the cheese and crackers and whatever else was in there. Now its Lorna Dune cookies, some things that are supposed to be Nibsco chocolate chip crackers, and mini ritz crackers with the cheese. They also got the peanuts, possibly honey roasted if your lucky enough. On some flights they have vanilla wafers but from expierence they are usually hidded in the back galley in the drawer right above the recycling conatiner and are hardly given out
Southwest changes their snacks quarterly and are in the process of being changed right now. The morning snack which used to be the Vanilla Wafers are now being replaced with Cinnamon Roll Cookies. The Afternoon snack, which were Cheese Nips are being replaced with Ritz Chips. The select-a-snack box which had Lorna Doone cookies, Chips Ahoy Thin Crisp Cookies and Ritz Bitz is being replaced by Golden Oreo's, 100 calorie Lorna Doone packs and Ritz Cheese and Cracker Sandwiches (the big ones not the bitz). Honey roasted and salted peanuts are alternated yearly and it is currently light salted which will be transitions back to honey roasted beginning of next year. We usually always keep some extra snacks in the back galley and it just depends on time of day and the level of service (determined by mileage of flight) what we serve.
Squid From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 20, posted (8 months 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 2199 times:
Years ago, in-flight meals were almost a necessity, even after deregulation because there weren't many food options within the airports. I remember Detroit only had a Nathan's Hot Dogs, a Burger King, a Little Creasers, a few bars that served cold sandwiches, and then the hotel restaurant for years. Now there are so many dining options ranging in price from a few dollars to a full course meal - even wrapped to go. I don't mind the airlines not serving meals any longer considering what passed as a meal in the last years of free inflight service was barely edible. The sandwiches were small, and either soggy or dry, served with plain potato chips and a mini candy bar...big deal. I would rather spend $10.00 and get a sandwich made the way I like it with BBQ kettle chips and a chocolate chunk cookie.
I think that people still hang onto this idea of glamor associated with flying, and that getting a plastic compartmentalized tray of rubber chicken with "secret sauce," a salad of iceberg lettuce only with generic French dressing, a hard dinner roll, and a slice of pink cake with white icing is quaint and idyllic. Not even meals served in many international business class cabins would pass muster in Pan Am's and TWA's coach cabins in the 1960's, but bringing this level of service back would price many consumers out of the market. In the end, receiving even a free bag of pretzels is not that high on the list of priorities for customs if it raises their ticket by even a few cents let alone a few dollars for the rubber chicken on a plastic tray.
tommy767 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 6195 posts, RR: 9 Reply 21, posted (8 months 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 2189 times:
I had a hot jimmy dean breakfast sandwich on EWR-LAX a month ago for $6 on UA. It came with fresh fruit. Not a bad deal, IMHO.
UA has a decent pretzel bread sandwich, a sort of dry thai chicken wrap, and adequate snack boxes. The savory one is like $8 which is more than it should be but has a lot of high end snack components.
A few years ago I recall DL offered a cold egg sandwich for breakfast (yikes) but I had a pretty outstanding seafood salad for $8 on MSP-LAX one time in 2009. I think the seafood salad was experimental.
AA's BOB were easily the worst at least circa 2007-2008. Maybe they have gotten better since, not sure.
When it comes to this BOB stuff, if you accept the stuff you are slaving away at is extremely processed then it's actually not terrible stuff -- they have come a long way in some respects. If you can't accept this fact, then don't buy or eat anything on your flight.
"Folks that's the news and I'm outta here!" -- Dennis Miller
heathrow From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2005, 946 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (8 months 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 1786 times:
I know AC offers some warm products. They had pizza for sale on the YYZ YVR leg I took last week on a 330. Not exactly sure what else was offered, as I was unable to buy anything without a credit card. Really makes the 5 hour journey that much longer!
25 canadianpylon: If you tight connections at an airport, it may be impossible to get a decent meal in in your travels. My last trip was a YYJ-YWG-YYC flight. There wa
26 L1011: I bought a hot breakfast on Skybus a few years ago, and it was quite good. The only problem was that they got to my row so late in the flight that I d
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