United follows America West example

[MikeD]

United Tests $7 Breakfasts, $10 Lunches

AP BUSINESS


CHICAGO -- United Airlines is upgrading to "restaurant-quality" meals on some of its flights this week. But just like in restaurants, most passengers will have to pay for them.

The nation's No. 2 airline, looking to raise revenue as it overhauls its money-losing operations in bankruptcy, began a six-day experiment Monday selling meals on its daily flights between Denver and Seattle.

Reflecting difficult times in the airline industry, United is the latest and biggest carrier to test the concept of charging for in-flight meals. America West, Northwest and US Airways conducted trials in select markets earlier this year.

United, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December, scaled back its food service in January, eliminating meals on domestic flights lasting less than 3 1/2 hours. It is now considering restoring them in some markets, but this time they won't be free for economy-class passengers who want them.

Breakfast will cost $7 and lunch and dinner will be $10, while passengers in first class and business class will get the same selections for free.

"It's a convenience for our passengers and a possible new source of revenue for United," said Bill Dove, director of worldwide catering.

United is teaming with Gate Gourmet to offer what it characterized as restaurant-quality meals from Eli's Cheesecake Company. Passengers will have their choice of two options for breakfast and lunch/dinner, with different selections on the return leg.

For breakfast, they can opt for continental - cinnamon crumb cake, hazelnut biscotti, fresh fruit and berries - or hearty brunch, which consists of a croissant sandwich with smoked turkey, Swiss cheese, hard-boiled egg slices and lettuce plus a raspberry strudel pastry bar and fresh fruit and berries.

One of the lunch/dinner offerings, served in a decorative basket, is a grilled turkey sandwich with a bowl of fresh fruit and a chocolate chunk cookie. United spokeswoman Chris Nardella didn't immediately have information on the other choices.

The selections didn't entice analysts, who are skeptical the concept will take hold in the industry despite all the recent tinkering.

"Airline food has been so bad - and getting scarcer - that people have been buying airport food to bring on board," said Scott Hamilton, an independent airline analyst based in the Seattle area.

"Buying food on board will eliminate the hassle of having to carry one more thing, but the question will be whether passengers will get what they perceive to be a good value for the price paid, and whether food quality will be better than before."

Airline travel analyst Terry Trippler said the concept isn't likely to generate huge revenue and would open the airlines up to new complaints from passengers and even flight attendants at a time they can't afford them.

"Under the circumstances, the way things are, now is maybe not the time," said Trippler, of Minneapolis-based cheapseats.com. "With the war in Iraq over, travel is about to take off so I don't think airlines should make drastic decisions like that. Let's get people back on the planes and see what happens."

[aloft]

And FAs thought they were treated like waiters/waitresses before!

[secretapproach]

After reading aloft's post I pulled out my Replacement's CD.


The Replacements: Waitress in the sky

[Snow]

I think that's fair enough to charge for meals, I mean you can't have a rock bottom airfare and expect a meal too. This way you pay for what you want and not paying for a meal that you don't want.

[Ophir]

The next thing you know the menu will say "For parties of six or more, an automatic 18% gratuity will be included on your bill"



"That guy back there in 29B didn't didn't even tip me!"