US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Forever goodbye, hot food in domestic F...

I finally got my call back from CA last night, they said that they spoke with the folks who manage catering and they "seriously doubt that there will ever again be hot food in first class on the PHL - PHX route". I think it's probably fair to assume that if they're not going to cater PHL - PHX they won't cater flights to LAX, SFO, or SEA either.

So... in a nutshell, they've continued to devolve the first class product, they've dramatically reduced opportunities to cash in miles for regular rewards, and now (as others have found on summer Europe routes) they're creating blackout zones for supposedly non-restricted premium awards.

It's hard to escape two conclusions. First, however much we (at least I) disagree, they're saying essentially that the only option for survival here is to admit that a seat on a plane is a commodity product and nothing else matters. The market for a truly premium product isn't meaningful, nor is the support of frequent, repeat customers. Second, that they're one for three - they haven't yet hit low cost or low fare, but they've hit the bullseye on low quality.

It's such a shame - there are some really good people working for this airline, at least on the front lines.

I am really divided on this issue.

If U takes this lowering of cost to keep F fares affordable...ie < what travel departments will ***** about eg < ~$950...then I'd be happy to buy lower F Tix instead of upgrading with my CP benefit.

A decent meal of some sort is a nice thing though.

By that same token, I seriously doubt I'm going to go out of my way to connect to US transcons anymore.

CCY really does not get it. AA and UA have better "midcon" meals in the front.

By that same token, I seriously doubt I'm going to go out of my way to connect to US transcons anymore.

CCY really does not get it. AA and UA have better "midcon" meals in the front.

very true.

i just did AA .. phl-stl-dfw-rno-dfw-phl...for schedule reasons. the food in F was OK, hot at least and served on all but the phl-stl route. I paid for a restricted F ticket about 1500, which seems cheap enough for all that flying.

By that same token, I seriously doubt I'm going to go out of my way to connect to US transcons anymore.

CCY really does not get it. AA and UA have better "midcon" meals in the front.

I'll keep all my transcon travel on UA and my limited east coast (N/S) flying on US.

Such a shame.

I finally got my call back from CA last night, they said that they spoke with the folks who manage catering and they "seriously doubt that there will ever again be hot food in first class on the PHL - PHX route". I think it's probably fair to assume that if they're not going to cater PHL - PHX they won't cater flights to LAX, SFO, or SEA either.

So... in a nutshell, they've continued to devolve the first class product, they've dramatically reduced opportunities to cash in miles for regular rewards, and now (as others have found on summer Europe routes) they're creating blackout zones for supposedly non-restricted premium awards.

It's hard to escape two conclusions. First, however much we (at least I) disagree, they're saying essentially that the only option for survival here is to admit that a seat on a plane is a commodity product and nothing else matters. The market for a truly premium product isn't meaningful, nor is the support of frequent, repeat customers. Second, that they're one for three - they haven't yet hit low cost or low fare, but they've hit the bullseye on low quality.

It's such a shame - there are some really good people working for this airline, at least on the front lines.


WHY ARE WE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION? I MEAN, IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT US AIRWAYS HAS BECOME AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE WORST MAJOR US AIRLINE, SETTING UNPRESENTED CUTS OF SERVICE...

I'll keep all my transcon travel on UA and my limited east coast (N/S) flying on US.

Such a shame.

And I'm going to be moving all my transcon travel to AA unless the fare on US is significantly lower.

Even though I have to "pay" for upgrades on AA with 500-mile certs, I've cleared into the front cabin 100% of the time on my IAD-LAX runs, and AA serves hot meals in F with cloth napkins, glass, china, and tablecloths (even little salt-pepper shakers). AA has made tremendous cutbacks in coach, but their domestic First Class service for now still remains top-notch.

I wonder how much a hot meal in F really costs US to provide compared to the current IFC boxes. If by not providing a real meal on transcons they're losing loyal customers, then the switch to IFC may actually cost US Airways money (lost revenue). Something to ponder.

US still has a great route network here on the East Coast, so I'll still be flying them enough to retain CP this year, but I enjoy the in-flight dining experience and AA is far superior in this respect on longer flights.

Yes. US F Class sucks. . .and is getting worse BUT it is better than TED. Especially as UA seems to be bent on turning over more and more domestic flying to TED. So, if you are flying to PHX/LAS or any destination in Florida you can be in a US F Class seat which is far more comfortable and more productive than TED or even a UA F Class seat. BUT if you are in it for the food, then the catering is an insult.

Even though I have to "pay" for upgrades on AA with 500-mile certs, I've cleared into the front cabin 100% of the time on my IAD-LAX runs, and AA serves hot meals in F with cloth napkins, glass, china, and tablecloths (even little salt-pepper shakers). AA has made tremendous cutbacks in coach, but their domestic First Class service for now still remains top-notch.


Heck, I've gotten that on several MIA-STL, MIA-PHL, and even JAX-DFW flights last year with AA. They even serve a cold plate on DFW-STL on real dishes.

Yep. And DCA-ORD (just over an hour flying time!) has full meal service in F on AA at mealtimes...usually cold but still fully plated.

The air marshals that are always on these flights must be happy to be fed. :D

Yes. US F Class sucks. . .and is getting worse BUT it is better than TED. Especially as UA seems to be bent on turning over more and more domestic flying to TED. So, if you are flying to PHX/LAS or any destination in Florida you can be in a US F Class seat which is far more comfortable and more productive than TED or even a UA F Class seat. BUT if you are in it for the food, then the catering is an insult.

That is an apples/oranges comparison. TED does not charge anywhere near $1,500 for a round trip ticket.

I wouldn't pay that for either UA or US. It is a valid comparison because in many (and a growing number of markets) TED is the only option for UA flyers. On TED you can't buy, much less upgrade to first class if you wanted to. So I fly US in these markets and the difference between TED and US First is pretty significant.

That is an apples/oranges comparison. TED does not charge anywhere near $1,500 for a round trip ticket.

I like the space and drinks. I'm willing to do without a hot meal that probably wasn't that great to start with.

At least the beer is still free :rolleyes:

Not that we are going to have this, but I would trade food and drink for more comfortable seats anyday.

Would you like a leg rest sir? Yes. Ok, that will be $30 for the flight and an extra $15 for the lumbar support. ;)

I know you all know I support US Airways (for the most part that is). However, I never fly for food. The food even on the best carriers is OK at best. If I want good food I go to a good restaurant. I fly for comfort. As long as they don't take away my larger seat and my laptop ports I am happy. I can live without the food. When they did have it in first, yeah it was OK but it was not really that great. I would rather bring my own on board and I have in the past. If I needed something heated up IE: Pizza, I would ask the FA if it was possible. I have never had a problem.

T

Big seat and free booze and you got me for life. I have not found a carrier that has food that I like anyway. I guess it is the southern boy in me. :D

I wouldn't pay that for either UA or US. It is a valid comparison because in many (and a growing number of markets) TED is the only option for UA flyers. On TED you can't buy, much less upgrade to first class if you wanted to. So I fly US in these markets and the difference between TED and US First is pretty significant.

It is not valid because there is no such thing as a First Class seat on TED.

Compare TED to a US coach seat, and TED wins, easily.

It is not valid because there is no such thing as a First Class seat on TED.

Compare TED to a US coach seat, and TED wins, easily.
Sorry but the laptop power ports on US Airways Airbuses work. TED or United it is up for a coin toss.

Sorry but the laptop power ports on US Airways Airbuses work. TED or United it is up for a coin toss.

This and the excellent service (admittedly hampered by not a lot to work with) is what will keep me on US for the moment. Once I finish grad school and no longer need to haul my laptop everywhere, I may very well move my regular transcon travel to UA.

I've yet to fly on a UA Airbus with the Empower operational in FC.

...However, I never fly for food. ... If I want good food I go to a good restaurant.
T

You know, I have to say - this is a very fair point. I did reflect recently on the strangeness of me complaining about the lack of airline food in my life. It's hard to say if airline food is a step above or below hospital food by reputation, but it's certainly very low on the list. Maybe traditional hot meals in F were above hospital food, and IFC is below (definitely below), but regardless they're trading positions towards the bottom of a long list.

My objection wasn't that the food was one of the main draws of FC, but rather the cut (and how it was handled) was indicative of mgt continuing its trend of devaluing the product whenever they feel they can get away with it. I've generally enjoyed my long-term relationship with USAir as my carrier of choice, but a big part of that has been their providing a premium product. I used to care more than I do now about USAir staying in business, because I never felt like I was treated like a commodity. That's less and less true. It's death by a thousand cuts, and this is yet another one of them. Believe me, I know that they have some serious financial trouble and need to do whatever they can on the cost side. But over the long term, this is a really bad decision. If there is a strategy in place, it seems to be that they're building the company to be a commodity player. The more that comes about, the less I'm going to want to do business with them.

Sorry but the laptop power ports on US Airways Airbuses work. TED or United it is up for a coin toss.

UA only has Empower ports in C and F, not in Y...so no power at all on the all-coach TED flights.

US has a huge advantage here with Empower at all seats, even in Y, on the A319/320/321.

I was just lurking on the Delta board. They seem to be taking their down grade of F service in stride. Most have said they will drink out of a plastic cup and deal with the downgrade of service.

I was just lurking on the Delta board. They seem to be taking their down grade of F service in stride. Most have said they will drink out of a plastic cup and deal with the downgrade of service.
Hey, I was lurking here and referenced this over in the DL thread...hehe
Well, normally I drink out of plastic cups, so I guess I don't really mind that much...

I booked my parents on US in F SEA-PHL and PHL-SEA.

I'm guessing these flights won't have hot food.

What will they have? What does a cold breakfast entail? Or, is there no food whatsoever?

This month, it looks like a choice between a ham and cheese croissant or a coffee cake:

http://www.usairways.com/travel/inflight/inflight_cafe/

Not bad for coach, but awful for First Class.

:p Big seat and free booze and you got me for life. I have not found a carrier that has food that I like anyway. I guess it is the southern boy in me. :D

I second that planeluvr. I could care less what, if any, meal, is being served on my flight. Let's face it, I appreciate the upgrade to a comfy seat and smaller cabin. Now, if they would only serve Crown Royal like Delta :p