US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - BWI to Vegas, any chance of a hot meal?

Question:

Since US is one of the last airlines to have F service to Vegas, I just paid F on them for a trip in June. I've gotten conflicting reports that US has gone back to hot meals.

If I'm getting no more than a cramped 757, a couple of beers in a plastic cup and a box lunch - maybe I should switch airlines.

Any thoughts?

Question:

Since US is one of the last airlines to have F service to Vegas, I just paid F on them for a trip in June. I've gotten conflicting reports that US has gone back to hot meals.

If I'm getting no more than a cramped 757, a couple of beers in a plastic cup and a box lunch - maybe I should switch airlines.

Any thoughts?

If those are you criteria, then switch airlines. That's what you're going to get. There are no domestic hot meals on USAirways.

That's about right. If you want a non-stop to LAS from BWI, then that's about the best you're going to get. If the meal is more important, try a connection on CO. I believe they still have hot meals on their transcons, though it's been at least a year since I've flown them on a transcon route. The downside there is the connection and the likelihood that you'll have to take an ERJ to get to your mainline flight with the hot meal.

If the nonstop fits your schedule, then just do it. It's not worth the hassle of connecting somewhere just for a hot meal.

You'll still get a roomier seat and free booze on a dirty, heavily worn 757. That's about the extent US has felt its premium pax are worth these days.

You could save money and fly SW, but your seat will be far from roomy and you'll get no food and like it.

If the nonstop fits your schedule, then just do it. It's not worth the hassle of connecting somewhere just for a hot meal.

I think the difference between UA F and US F for example is FAR more than just a hot meal - glassware, linen, better seats, etc.

That's about right. If you want a non-stop to LAS from BWI, then that's about the best you're going to get.


I don't believe US flies non-stop BWI-LAS. The only thing I can find in the schedule is a one stop that keeps the same flight number. All flights to LAS connect in either PHL, CLT, or PIT. If I am wrong someone please correct me.

If your ticket is refundable, try booking a "YUP" (discounted First Class) on American Airlines. You should be able to find one of these from BWI to LAS and back for under $1000.

AA still has true F service to Las Vegas, though you'll have to connect at either ORD or DFW. I'd recommend an ORD connection if meal service is important to you, as more of the ORD-LAS flights serve hot meals than DFW-LAS flights.

Any flight listed on AA.com as "Breakfast," "Lunch" or "Dinner" in First will have a hot meal. "Snack" service can be either hot or cold.

Your BWI-ORD flight might even have a meal, as well. DCA-ORD flights on AA have meals at mealtime, and they're a similar length (about 90 minutes) as BWI-ORD.

BWI to Vegas, any chance of a hot meal?

Sure, stop by the Roy Rogers before you board your flight.

hp has nonstop flights and hot meals as long as you aren't taking the late night flights, dont expect 5 diamond dining, but there are meals and plenty of drinks served in glassware

I agree with flyboy. Take HP, you'll get a hot meal on china with glassware. HP's F is usually priced very reasonably, but I haven't checked in a while so I can't be sure what its at right now. You'll also be able to use HP's LAS club seeing as you're paying for F.

US service will be dirty, cheap, and not worth the money.

I don't know what USCP got in the way of fares BUT US has had some pretty cheap A fares from BWI-LAS around $700. That is well worth it considering the only other Star Alliance option is UA and that is 100% TED coach. Which is absolute CRAP! :mad: :td:

Plus with an F Class ticket on US, you can use the LAS priority security line. LAS is known for its nasty security back-ups. And you receive the preferred/EQM bonus for a F class ticket.

US F Class, even in its lousy condition beats TED hands down anyday of the week. i am going to LAS in January on US and it is the first time EVER I have used miles to upgrade a coach ticket (which was about $300 and refundable--a great value IMHO)

Plus with an F Class ticket on US, you can use the LAS priority security line. LAS is known for its nasty security back-ups. And you receive the preferred/EQM bonus for a F class ticket.

I believe that if you're elite, the US ticket agents will stamp your boarding pass so you can access the F security line even if you weren't upgraded.

I don't know what USCP got in the way of fares BUT US has had some pretty cheap A fares from BWI-LAS around $700. That is well worth it considering the only other Star Alliance option is UA and that is 100% TED coach. Which is absolute CRAP! :mad: :td:


Agreed. I recently purchased an "A" fare to LAS. The difference in cost was only about $100 from the coach fare. For the dates I needed the coach fare was almost $600 and the "A" was around $700. Well worth it for guaranteed F seat even if it is on a 757, and 200% EQMs. I do have to question the fact that the "A" was available considering the flight was almost sold out in Y. Another sign that Revenue Management is leaving money on the table. I'm glad I purchased the "A" as on my dates of travel all the flights are now showing F0.

Sounds like revenue management did their job if coach was full and they SOLD out the F cabin.

They probably could sell out a 20 seat F Cabin if they didn't yank all the seats out. If BWI wasn't so far away and my fare out of DCA wasn't changeable/refundable. I probably would have bought an A fare as well.


Agreed. I recently purchased an "A" fare to LAS. The difference in cost was only about $100 from the coach fare. For the dates I needed the coach fare was almost $600 and the "A" was around $700. Well worth it for guaranteed F seat even if it is on a 757, and 200% EQMs. I do have to question the fact that the "A" was available considering the flight was almost sold out in Y. Another sign that Revenue Management is leaving money on the table. I'm glad I purchased the "A" as on my dates of travel all the flights are now showing F0.

Sounds like revenue management did their job if coach was full and they SOLD out the F cabin.

They probably could sell out a 20 seat F Cabin if they didn't yank all the seats out. If BWI wasn't so far away and my fare out of DCA wasn't changeable/refundable. I probably would have bought an A fare as well.

Yes and no. The seats are now sold out, but from my experience they will sell 6 of the 8 F seats as "A" fares. Only the last 2 sell for "F." If the flights are that sold out perhaps they shouldn't be offering F for less than Y. The "Q" fare is $598 RT and the "A" is $698. "B" and "Y" are more expensive. And unfortunately even buying "Y" or "B" won't get you an upgrade as the "P" bucket seems to be zeroed out on most if not all LAS flights. I applaud US for having very full flights; however F shouldn't be cheaper than Y.

I believe that if you're elite, the US ticket agents will stamp your boarding pass so you can access the F security line even if you weren't upgraded.

They're not allowed to do this, unfortunately. For whatever reason, the McCarran Airport Authority is very strict about keeping the First Class security line open only to those passengers with a First Class seat on a flight leaving LAS, not to elites in coach.

This has been a major point of contention with UA flyers leaving Vegas, as no one flying UA is eligible to use the F security line at LAS (at least not "legally").

They're not allowed to do this, unfortunately. For whatever reason, the McCarran Airport Authority is very strict about keeping the First Class security line open only to those passengers with a First Class seat on a flight leaving LAS, not to elites in coach.

Yup, that's been my experience as well. Pain in the patootie, for sure. :(

Those in wheelchairs or with pacemakers use the First Class security line, along with their companions.

You should know better than asking about a hot meal. Lighters have been banned on flights so don't even try to bring one to heat up any meal you may get.

You should know better than asking about a hot meal. Lighters have been banned on flights so don't even try to bring one to heat up any meal you may get.
The heat from hot meals would melt the XOXOs.

you're still getting xoxo's? it's may....they're all pulled from CLT. ;)

XOXOs have been hit or miss on my flights lately. I'm flying YUL-PHL-MSY today...I'll see if the snack basket offerings vary according to climate ;)

XOXOs have been hit or miss on my flights lately. I'm flying YUL-PHL-MSY today...I'll see if the snack basket offerings vary according to climate ;)

XOXOs PHL-SFO today! :cool:

XOXOs PHL-SFO today! :cool:


YUL-PHL: XO shrapnel on the floor at boarding was indeed a sign of what was to come...a snackbasket with an abundant supply of our favorite wafer cookies with rich, creamy, dreamy centers ;)

PHL-MSY: Cart service, no snackbasket. Cashews were handed out with our drinks, and then we were offered a snack: Chicken (or maybe turkey?) on foccacia, a pasta salad, and an XOXO for dessert ^

Back to the OP. You have two chances for a hot meal on US anywhere in the US, Slim and none......

I was in PHL last week and Slim was getting on a plane with Seth headed to PIT on WN. My guess you are not going to see Slim for awhile. As a matter of fact, Slim looked real sick and he may not even live.

I actually made first on a PHL - LAS flight Saturday afternoon! Yeh!

I was ticketed in coach on a restricted fare and had a aisle seat in the exit row, but was persistent with trying to upgrade online, listing myself at the airport, and checking-in at the gate. I hate people like me, but...

At any rate, I can assure you, there was no hot meal on the '75 we flew out here. It was the box from the back, but the FA's of late have been super sweet and last month's merlot will help wash-down whatever chef salad or turkey-ham combo club they serve you.

There are 5 seats in first on the return. Wish me luck.

Agreed. I recently purchased an "A" fare to LAS. The difference in cost was only about $100 from the coach fare. For the dates I needed the coach fare was almost $600 and the "A" was around $700. Well worth it for guaranteed F seat even if it is on a 757, and 200% EQMs. I do have to question the fact that the "A" was available considering the flight was almost sold out in Y. Another sign that Revenue Management is leaving money on the table. I'm glad I purchased the "A" as on my dates of travel all the flights are now showing F0.

Isn't it 150% EQMs (http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/earningmiles/flystar.htm#us)?

Thanks for the advice. I wish I had thought of HP, esp. in light of the merger. Looks like I'll grit it out on US. Maybe you'll see me up there eating my Roy Roger's Roast Beef sandwitch and drinking my G&T w/ lime. :)

US tried lowering the cost of F seats for a while there (to Vegas and the Carrabean). If they're filling them up - great for US (bad for us trying to upgrade). If I were US I'd rather have 24 people (in the old 757 config.) paying $1000+ each than 30 people paying $300 coach fares. There must be something in Star Alliance that prevents them from doing that regularly. Perhaps they can't offer cheap fares on a route that another Star Alliance carrier serves with F? However, that would smack of anti-trust type behaviour, wouldn't it?

Question:

Since US is one of the last airlines to have F service to Vegas, I just paid F on them for a trip in June. I've gotten conflicting reports that US has gone back to hot meals.

If I'm getting no more than a cramped 757, a couple of beers in a plastic cup and a box lunch - maybe I should switch airlines.

Any thoughts?


It's been discussed many, many times and no one would argue that US Airways no longer serves hot meals in F within the US. Moreover, you will get the same snack available for sale in Coach Class as your meal, exept they won't charge you for it like in Coach. If you are on a red-eye, then you will get a special F class snack usually consisting of a turkey croissant and grapes while Coach won't get anything. All beverages will be served in plastic cups.

It's been discussed many, many times and no one would argue that US Airways no longer serves hot meals in F within the US. Moreover, you will get the same snack available for sale in Coach Class as your meal, exept they won't charge you for it like in Coach. If you are on a red-eye, then you will get a special F class snack usually consisting of a turkey croissant and grapes while Coach won't get anything. All beverages will be served in plastic cups.

The same snack that's served on redeyes is also served for lunch on transcons and Vegas flights. Small, but a bit nicer presentation than the IFC boxes.

The only thing I need when going to Vegas is a big seat and free alcohol. Keep the yucky airline food (ANY AIRLINE) away from me. :p

The only thing I need when going to Vegas is a big seat and free alcohol. Keep the yucky airline food (ANY AIRLINE) away from me. :p

Free booze + a seat mate who will let me deal blackjack to him/her. :)

The only thing I need when going to Vegas is a big seat and free alcohol. Keep the yucky airline food (ANY AIRLINE) away from me. :p

I actually like airline food, which is one of the reasons I'm so disappointed with US Airways transcon service lately. It's not so much the quality of the food but the experience of eating a hot meal in a big seat at 35,000 feet that appeals to me. :)

The last domestic US Airways flight I took with a real dinner was to LAS, incidentally. I had a pasta dish that tasted a little like French onion soup.

HA! The OP thinks he's getting a LIME in his gin & tonic! ;)

The same snack that's served on redeyes is also served for lunch on transcons and Vegas flights. Small, but a bit nicer presentation than the IFC boxes.


??? wahoo: If I'm reading this right, you're (surprisingly) incorrect. I just came back from a PHL-SFO-PHL trip this weekend and another one about two weeks earlier. All four legs were lunch flights and all four were the IFC box lunches. I had the same chef's salad all four times.

??? wahoo: If I'm reading this right, you're (surprisingly) incorrect. I just came back from a PHL-SFO-PHL trip this weekend and another one about two weeks earlier. All four legs were lunch flights and all four were the IFC box lunches. I had the same chef's salad all four times.



I believe anytime a flight is designated as a "meal" flight, you'll get an IFC box. If it's designated as a "snack" flight, you'll get the 1/2 or full sandwich usually with a small vegetable, fruit, or pasta salad and an XOXO or similiar for dessert, regardless of the cities you're flying to. IE: a "snack" on PHL-MIA is the same as a "snack" on SFO-PHL (the sandwich and salad), but a "meal" on SFO-PHL would be the IFC. Thus, there are no "meals" on any flights east of DEN.


Someone back me up. Or prove me completely wrong :p

I believe anytime a flight is designated as a "meal" flight, you'll get an IFC box. If it's designated as a "snack" flight, you'll get the 1/2 or full sandwich usually with a small vegetable salad or pasta salad and an XOXO or similiar for dessert, regardless of the cities you're flying to. IE: a "snack" on PHL-MIA is the same as a "snack" on SFO-PHL (the sandwich and salad), but a "meal" on SFO-PHL would be the IFC. Thus, there are no "meals" on any flights east of DEN.


Someone back me up. Or prove me completely wrong :p

My experience is your experience.

PHL-DEN is always a snack (although a full meal on UA). Instead of vegetable or pasta salad, you sometimes get a side fruit plate: like six grapes! PHL-LAX, SFO, & SAN are always a meal--the IFC meal since Feb 1st.

My experience is your experience.

PHL-DEN is always a snack (although a full meal on UA). Instead of vegetable or pasta salad, you sometimes get a side fruit plate: like six grapes! PHL-LAX, SFO, & SAN are always a meal--the IFC meal since Feb 1st.


Oh yes, those lovely fruit "plates." How could I forget? I edited my original post though, because I stand corrected! ;)

My experience is your experience.

PHL-DEN is always a snack (although a full meal on UA). Instead of vegetable or pasta salad, you sometimes get a side fruit plate: like six grapes! PHL-LAX, SFO, & SAN are always a meal--the IFC meal since Feb 1st.

Oops, I misspoke. You're right about (true) transcons. Even on lunch flights to LAX recently I've gotten the IFC boxes. I was thinking about flights to Vegas, where "lunch" is the same snack as the Denver flights.