Dyan

I had an odd experience an American Airlines yesterday, flying from Panama City to Miami, then Miami to Newark. On each flight (3 hours on the first, 2 hours on the second), the drink cart came around only once. About halfway through the first flight, I asked for another drink and was told the cart was already closed. I just flew American to San Juan and back last weekend and didn't have this experience. Has American decided to let passengers go thirsty to save a couple of dollars, or did I just manage to get two lazy flight crews in a row?

Statia

Dyan:

I agree with you. I fly AA quite often and have found that their service is getting REALLY bad. No meals or snacks on MOST of my domestic and/or international flights in the past year or so. Also very limited drink service.

I have no idea why this is....perhaps to make up for the extra leg room? Ha. I would personally prefer leg room over service (I have a tall husband), but it's aggravating that they've done nothing but jack up prices out of my hub, yet alienated decent service in return.

Higher prices = less service. Sure wish I had a choice in airline carrier, but unfortunately they have a monopoly on my area.

Vicky

Perhaps when the drink cart first comes around (first and last) order two or maybe three drinks.

xxx

We just flew AA in May from O'Hare to Cayman, connecting in Miami. From here to Miamai, drink cart came by twice, from Miami to Cayman, once. Same on the way home. Actually had to hurry to finish before landing! Flight to Miami was 2hrs, 50min, flight from Miami to Cayman was only 1hr 6mins.

Rich

It seems that American should give passengers MORE drinks rather than less in order to help them wash down their mystery meat Bistro meals.

karen

I recently flew AA in May from Miami to NY. Wasn't thrilled about the service either. One flight attendant acted like she didn't want to be there - she was just plain rude to everyone.

pat

Flew American yesterday. From Dallas to reno is only a couple of hours but they did serve drinks twice. They gave you a full can, too. No food though. The leg between Baltimore and Dallas had a bistro bag with the worst turkey sandwich I have ever had.

Statia

Regarding meal service on American...

I can understand it when they don't have a meal service or snacks on a flight that is relatively short, or one that is not during a meal time. However, when I depart at 6:30 am for a three hour flight, I would think a banana isn't too much to ask (for what I've paid for the flight). Then, I depart Miami (after a very short connection) at 10:30 a.m. for another three hour flight, and still don't get so much as a bag of peanuts.

After all my connections, with no time to find meals, I finally arrive home near dinner time without a thing to eat all day.

Now that I know this is happening...(for many years I got meal service on both of these flights)...I try to be prepared, but is a snack too much to ask when I'm paying $1000 for two flights?

What does everyone else think?

karen

Statia - I agree with you because when you're on a flight for that length of time, and your're paying that amount for a flight, yes you should have a decent meal instead of a snack or nothing at all.

Rich

A couple of times when I've flown American in the past year or so, they've served a hot snack in a little plastic tray. One I've had a couple of times has a BBQ chicken wrap (in foil), a cookie and something else (can't remember what...maybe a bag of potato chips?). They were actually pretty good. These flights weren't any longer than ones on which Bistros are served, so I wonder what determines which one you get.

It can't take THAT much extra time to serve those little heated meals, and they are SO much better. I realize they're trying to cut costs, but that little bit extra goes a long way. I would be happy never, ever to have another Bistro meal. (I usually pick them up just to eat the cookie or granola bar or whatever comes with the "sandwich," and the bottle of water, but the "main course" in those are just awful).

I seem to recall one or more of the other major airlines having similar meals a few years ago -- pick 'em up in a bag on your way in -- but don't think I've had any recently with anyone other than AA. Are any of the other airlines still serving these?

Dick

When you make your reservations the flight detail tells you exactly what type of meal service your flight has. If no meal is served, carry one on.

Usually at the check in station, the type, or lack of meal service is also noted.


Dick

Statia

I never even minded the bistro meals much, but after flying the same route reguarly for almost a decade, it was suddenly no longer offered, along with the small snacks, etc.

Now the only choice I have is to grab something from McDonald's at the airport for an early morning flight since there is nothing available at 4:30 a.m. at my hotel.

I agree that your itinerary states whether or not there will be food service, so you can try to be prepared. But that can be hard, too, when you are staying in hotels and using only shuttle buses.

I just don't see why American has made meal services obsolete on flights/routes that have normally had them for years. Meahwhile, they've jacked up the airfare. Go figure.

Lenleigh

Well, the fact is that many airlines cut back or all together eliminated food/beverage service after Sept 11th. At the time I was working for a nationwide travel company and we all received information regarding cutbacks. American especially needs to cut back somewhere. So spend $5 to $10 bucks ahead of time and buy a bottled drink and snack to take with you. It is not a flying restaurant.

chef

One simple question...do you buy the airplane ticket to fly or to eat? What is the big deal? If you have to have food bring your own

deej

chef - i wonder how you'd feel if you've rushed from a meeting for a flight at the end of the day with no time to get anything to eat -- only to sit for 3 hours in a flying bus!

the bigger issue here is one of value. AA used to have a (limited) food service. now, they've raised prices while service has gotten worse. you decide if it's a big issue or not.

Statia

I'm with deej. I could care less about eating in-flight. However, it does discern me when AA raises my fare by $300 and suddenly stops serving anything. Like I said, higher prices = less service....go figure.

I could care less if I didn't get so much as a glass of water on my flights, but they should surely lower my fare then, don't you agree? Why raise it and offer less?

Contrary to popular belief, not all airlines are doing this. Yes, airlines are suffering after 9/11, but don't they realize that people with a choice will go for better fares AND better service?

Theresa

My husband and I are both Platinum on American based on our prior residence and our business travels. Definitely since Sept. 11th they've cut back on meal and drink services. Even in first class. Until that date, we always used our upgrades to get into first class when available because of the extra service. Now we only use our upgrades on East to West coast trips to have more comfortable seating. The service is no better in 1st than in coach these days so I never pay extra or use earned upgrades.

george

is there not a compromise here?Why can't they serve food and drink and charge for it?

ladypop

George I couldn't agree with you more. Considering those tasteless meals they serve on the flight, I'd pay $$$ for a decent meal. (not that much $$$ :0)