Enjoying my Alaska breakfast at 1:30pm
#1
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Enjoying my Alaska breakfast at 1:30pm
My SEA-IAD was originally scheduled to depart at 9:50am, but today it was rescheduled to 11:55am and didn't go out until 12:05pm. Had some congestion in the ramp area causing a further delay. By the time our meals were served, it was 1:30, and we landed at IAD 2.5 hours late. I was notified of the delay at 5 this morning via e-mail.
Is it common for Alaska to serve breakfast in the afternoon when they know hours in advance they won't be departing until around noon? Seems with plenty of advance notice they should be able to have catering switch to a lunch service instead.
Is it common for Alaska to serve breakfast in the afternoon when they know hours in advance they won't be departing until around noon? Seems with plenty of advance notice they should be able to have catering switch to a lunch service instead.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
I've seen AA change the meal out when a flight delay has taken it beyond the breakfast time recently. I know AA in the old days would still serve what your original flight was catered for. I wonder the logistics into this since it is not like they have a made to order chef doing orders day of.
#3
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Programs: DL-Platinum / AS-PlatPro / Hyatt - Glob / Hilton-Diamond
Posts: 1,573
Well, having worked AA ops in the "old days", SOP was to stick with the catering on hand. Unless of course, if it's considered spoiled. It's been my opinion (no facts or data points) that this is just how the industry works.
My days were pre 9-11, I'm sure it's worse now. Those meals are prepared many hours in advance. And it's not just the meals pre-prepared, but the scheduling of the trucks/personnel/getting TSA security checks/etc.
At major hubs, there are "hot" catering trucks on hand to handle food swaps due to last minute aircraft swaps, but that's moving existing (security checked) meals around, not trading breakfast out for lunch.
Meal pre-orders require 24 hour advance notice, so use that as a guideline.
Having said all that ...
I just flew TUS-SJC-DAL. The TUS departure at 7:05am was a (shelf stable, catered in SJC the afternoon before) breakfast. A short layover in SJC and leaving at 9:50amMDT for an after 3pmCDT arrival in DAL, and the meal was breakfast.
It was close to 11am MDT when the meal was served, but this seemed strange to me. I chose the "breakfst sandwich" and called it "brunch". It was tasty. Bagel/egg/ham and I think applesauce with a side of fruit.
My days were pre 9-11, I'm sure it's worse now. Those meals are prepared many hours in advance. And it's not just the meals pre-prepared, but the scheduling of the trucks/personnel/getting TSA security checks/etc.
At major hubs, there are "hot" catering trucks on hand to handle food swaps due to last minute aircraft swaps, but that's moving existing (security checked) meals around, not trading breakfast out for lunch.
Meal pre-orders require 24 hour advance notice, so use that as a guideline.
Having said all that ...
I just flew TUS-SJC-DAL. The TUS departure at 7:05am was a (shelf stable, catered in SJC the afternoon before) breakfast. A short layover in SJC and leaving at 9:50amMDT for an after 3pmCDT arrival in DAL, and the meal was breakfast.
It was close to 11am MDT when the meal was served, but this seemed strange to me. I chose the "breakfst sandwich" and called it "brunch". It was tasty. Bagel/egg/ham and I think applesauce with a side of fruit.
#4
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,029
Hmm, I guess I have a lot lower expectations for an airline. I am happy to get a nice meal (btw I think AS has really upped their F food) and not really all that worried about if the food is time appropriate. Its an airline, not a restaurant.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,591
Since the OP enjoyed his breakfast, and the operative word is enjoyed, he enjoyed his breakfast. Had they served lunch, he may not have enjoyed it. Although he may have.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,986
Who knows what their reasons may have been though... they may have even felt some F passengers would be upset about not receiving their pre-ordered meals if the service were modified from what was advertised.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska airlines 100k
Posts: 923
#11
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott Titanium, Delta Gold, United Silver
Posts: 250
#12
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: AE, used to be E, Skymiles
Posts: 61
This "Breakfast served all day" trend at restaurants is annoying. What would really impress me is to be able to get regular food served all day. Why limit certain hours of the day to Alabama chickens and pancakes.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Between SFO and STS
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, United Serf, Delta Gold
Posts: 731