Hungryman

I guess even the "elite" traveler will have to brown bag it.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/...ual-advice.htm

doc

True. My father just flew coast to coast first class with a stop in Denver and got roasted walnuts. Oh well.

suzy

wow, thats to bad. We are flying 1st class, thanks to FF miles, from Seattle to Miami next month. I wonder if the next step is to make 1st class passengers pay for their drinks? They are still charging the same high prices for the Business and First class ticket.

Gordy

Oh please! How tough is it to stop at a deli before you get to the airport and pick up a toasted chicken salad sandwich and a brownie? Did you think that the cost difference between economy and first class was due to the food??? Tell me the truth!!!

xxx

nice food and nice cushy seats. first to get on the plane, cocktail before take off, first to get off the plane. works for me.

Flaying not flying

Gordy, give over! Many of us have to leave well before any deli's open in order to make our longer flights. It's slim pickings in the airports, esp. in the early morning, and I'm sick of subsisting on a Starbucks' bagel for a coast-to-coast flight.

I have no problem with the airlines cutting this particular corner IF they get the airports to cooperate in providing decent food-to-go services, esp. before 9 am. Don't even mind the American "bistro bag" all that much WHEN it's available.

I do think they must continue to provide fluids/beverages, just for basic hydration.

concernedtraveler

I for one don't want United to go under so just grin and bear it or face them going out of business. Given, it may not be a very smart strategy but it helps keep them afloat so be it.

Maurice

No airline food?

I guess they are finally doing something to improve their service.

I don't know why they don't have a "brown bag deli" in the departure lounges. It would make more sense than running up and down the aisle with a cart full of trays. More choice, too.

x

The only reason I fly first class is for the food. Guess I'll go back to coach.

bob

I fly United business once or twice a month. I've had their meals. Believe me, I think it is a positive step to discontinue them. It eliminates the 'expectation gap'. I settle for a decent cup of coffee or glass or red wine.

Bobbi

Here's the excerpt from the UA Sales update:

**As part of United’s need to meet the covenants of its debtor-in-possession financing, effective immediately, United will reduce meal service in the following Domestic markets:

*On overnight flights departing Hawaii to the U.S. West Coast, the
sandwich service in Economy class has been replaced by a beverage
service.

*On Domestic flights from 2 – 3 hours in length that operate outside of
traditional meal times, the meal service in First and Business class has
been replaced by a beverage service.

*On Domestic flights from 2 – 3 ½ hours in length, the hot breakfast
sandwich in Economy class has been replaced by a beverage and breakfast
snack-mix service.

**On January 16, on Domestic transcon flights (except premium transcon) the Economy class choice of two hot breakfast entrees will be replaced with a hot breakfast sandwich.

Peaceful One

Gordy--please to you! It is tough to stop for a deli sandwich. Often there is not time, the lines are long, the places aren't open. How tough is it for the airlines to service a buck fifty sandwich during a five hour flight! And yes, meals are a huge factor in choosing Bus. & First so that one doesn't have to stand in line to wolf down a greasy breakfast sandwich from Burger King and rush back to the gate to sit with indigestion for four hours. Consumers pay more for their rushed McDonalds or pizza before the flight than it costs the airlines or would have cost the customer to have it served in the air.

Craig

PO-
The cost of the food is negligible.The tru high cost of serving meals is the cost of having extra flight attendants.AA just announced yesterday they are going to pressure all their unions to accept lower wages.That translates into layoffs.Which means fewer FA's on each flight.After all, the FlightAttendants are on flights for our safety, not our convenience.

Peaceful One

"For our safety" has become an excuse to not provide service. I do not feel particularly safe with FAs chatting in the galley for three hours because they have nothing to do. And, really, their crash landing or anti-terrorist defense maneuvering skills aren't exactly required everyday. (I guess their just sitting in the galley waiting for the moment to arrive.) But I hold out believing that someday service, comfort and enjoyment will be a part of flying again.

Craig

PO-
I agree with you wholeheartedly.That a nice meal and some service would help while the time away.But honestly I dont think it will.You never know.