American Airlines, the world's largest carrier, will sell $3 snack boxes on about a third of its daily U.S. flights beginning Feb. 1, ending hot-meal service in the main cabin to save $30 million a year.

The snack boxes will be sold on more than 500 daily flights that last longer than three hours, including 200 where they will replace free snack bags to coach passengers and 300 without meals.

The service will replace hot meals on 120 cross-country and 40 Hawaii flights, the Fort Worth-based airline says.

My husband, who travels a lot on business, dislikes airline food so much that he has always said that when an airline doesn't serve a meal, that's the good news.

I agree with your husband. Airline food is typically awful (unless you are in first or business class). I recently flew US Air who only provided food to those that piad $5.00. It was a sandwich from Hard Rock Cafe and was quite good. I have no problem paying $5.00 extra for food that is edible rather than getting (or typically passing) on food that is terrible --espeically if it keeps the airlines in business. Just my thoughts.

Pablostraz, I agree with your take on this. This seems like a way for everyone to win, considering everything involved.

Happy enough to have this change, since it allows us to choose between airport take-away and airline potluck -- neither optimal but better than the fiction of "meal" on the flight itinerary. Delta's been doing this for a while (for more money, but decent food). The main benefit is for when you either have no time between flights to grab something or your flight is too early in the morning for any places in the airport to be open. Delta's breakfast wrap isn't half bad. I wouldn't expect AA's to be all that great, but I hope they have one.

Interesting, thanks for the info. I'm OK w/this because I don't care for airplane food anyway. If I want a meal on the plane, I'll grab a sandwich at the airport and eat it on the plane. Let's cross our fingers that this cost savings to AA will be passed on to us in the form of more sale prices on tix.

I haven't had more than a bag of pretzels on any domestic AA flight since 9/11 or earlier. So, this is good news since I typically grab a sandwich or wrap at an airport kiosk anyhow. This will just save me the time of waiting in line for one.

Thanks for the info, Keith

I travel often and cannot for the life of me understand why some people want airline food. Is it because it is "free" because it most certainly is not. Is it because it is good.....cannot be so. Frankly, given the stuff they have served on AA over the years and passed off as regular food I welcome the new policy. Would much rather have a decent movie than some sort of overcooked plastic mystery meal. AA's business should increase now that they have discontinued thier meals!

If you think a money-losing airline is going to take the money they save by eliminating snacks and give better entertainment or lower ticket prices, you are naive beyond belief. More likely, they will reason that after a few months without snacks, they will have slimmed down the passengers, allowing them to implement LRTC. Perhaps they can also replace some the of FAs with a vending machine.

I'm surprised they haven't started charging to use the W.C.

That would not upset me, as I've never used a public loo, and hope I never do.

Emmmm, Mrs. Bucket, dare I ask the alternative while traveling?

I was about to ask that same question, Cassandra. Maybe her bladder is the size of a bucket.

Maybe she just uses the bucket?

But that is pronounced "Bouquet."

Keith

The Bucket Woman would never be caught using a public W.C. He's a cross dresser from Florida who chases the post man and the neighbors!