Originally Posted by
zrs70
I disagree with those saying the Y meal does little to sway customers. True, the food is nothing to write home about.
But there's another element involved. When an airline serves a meal, it is offering a point of connection with its customers. It's another interaction. It's a way of saying they want to go another step. It's a way to fill time on a long flight.
I always enjoy food service, in any class. And it's not about the meal (though I actually think airline food is much better than people make it out to be). It's about something much more.
I don't disagree with the 2nd and 3rd paragraph and I don't disagree that the flights talked about here are long enough that UA *should* include a meal (why do they serve food from the east coast to Europe).
But I don't know that it makes a difference for the bulk of pax when choosing the airline for what might be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many. Does Kayak show them that AA and Delta include a meal and UA doesn't?