Do you think its important for flights to offer food. And should it be free? I think if the flight is less than four hours bring your own on. But if it is a long flight then yes.

I agree. American is flying from Dallas to Hawaii with food for purchase. This is an eight hour flight. With the liquid ban and food beginning to smell after awhile, it only makes sense.

BTW, you can purchase a ticket to Hawaii if you go through Las Vegas, Oakland or Sacramento on another airline at 1/2 AA's price.

Yes, I think food should be free if the flight is 4 hours long. I have a problem with the carts blocking the isle of the plane while people look for their change or credit card.

There is no such thing is "free food". It's included in the ticket price or excluded from same. So what you're asking, is: should we pay the restaurant price for McD's quality food or save some $$ and bring our own food?

I'd rather pay less for the flight, and have an option of bringing my own food or buying in the airport or on the plane.

Should we also discuss drinks

<should we also discuss drinks>

No, wally is already a part of this thread.

FainaAgain, I guess you will be real happy when the airlines start charging $2.00 for a Coke and lower their prices .02 cents. Next time you try to use the toilet on the plane, you can stand behind the flight attendant while the customer looks for a credit card to pay for his glass of water, or a dollar, and only finds a $20 and the flight attendant can't find change.

Can we keep the isle clear of those lousy beverage carts??? It is a safety issue. Can you imagine hitting turbulence and the hot coffee landing on your face?

Or now about tomato juice landing on the front of your dress?

Anyway, I think you get the message.

They will start charging for coke soon, doesn't matter who is happy, who's not. They do it already on cruises, how long will it take the airlines to catch on?

Ryanair, Aer Lingus and various intra-European budget airlines charge for any beverage.

Here in the US, Skybus out of Colmbus, OH do. Maybe Spirit as well.

When I am buying a ticket for a two-hour flight within Europe, I can

- either buy a ticket for 400 Euros and get a free drink and a free sandwich which is very mediocre

- or buy a ticket for 160 Euros and pay 2.50 Euros for a drink and 3 Euros for a good sandwich.

What would you do?

Food and beverages never were free on commercial airline flights. The cost was automatically included in the price of the ticket.

Funny thing is that I can get tickets today for about the same price that I paid 20 years ago. Except that now if I want airline "food" I'll pay an extra 5 bucks.

I value virtually all airline food at nil value. So, whether you charge me has no impact. I always bring my own, because even if you promise it to me, I know you won't deliver.

Have any of you tried Jet Airways during internal travels within India? Any flight 40 minutes and beyond has a meal and a full meal if over one hour. Even in coach class ...... and pretty decent quality food too.

Totally agree with Mrwunrful re ticket prices.

I think it might improve if they sell food for another reason: they have to be accountable.

I would rather buy a basic ham or turkey sandwich with an ingredient label (and ideally separately packaged condiments to put on yourself) than get for "free" these weird entrees where you can't tell what's in them.

I have food allergies and wish the airlines would be more responsive.

You may not believe this, but I remember a time, children, when you/I could walk up the plane aisle and get around the beverage cart!

I think it's actually more efficient and environmentally sound (refering to in-cabin environment -- smell, trash, etc.) to have compact, microwavable dinners for longer-haul trips. People DO need food, and if everyone brings the kind of random things you can get in a terminal, the trash and atmosphere can be a big deal. So it isn't gourmet -- it's not like the seats are comfortable, either.

More nonsense...Food and beverages are airline costs. Food requires storage and service. I imagine that some food companies supply products at no charge to the airline; product placement. Humans need water (amount depends on environment) but they don't need food (up to 40 days) in a short time period. Travel is a luxury...Much of it is not necessary. There are great convenience foods available, why not bring a deluxe picnic lunch! Once more; There are no free lunches.