Would another option be for AC to offer a deli lunch/snack service at the gate, with fresh sandwiches, boxed salads, fresh fruit etc? This way, if AC doesn't think that there is enough time to offer meal service onboard the aeroplane [i love it, FlyBoy ] all they have to do is drinks etc. The passengers can eat at the gate or on the plane. I have seen this on short-haul NW flights out of MSP a few years back, and it seemed fairly popular with everyone. Alternately, if AC provided this only to its Y passengers, there would be extra F/As available to pull of the a full meal in J. Unfortunately, I think that Montréal isn't worried about lack of time, but rather excess of spending.