Inflight Service Changes Due to COVID-19
#91
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,361
Southwest just discontinued most beverages. I would be surprised if the other airlines do not follow suite. You also to look at the flip side. Dishing out food and drinks are not the real issue here. The real risk is in picking up half eaten meals and items that have come in contact with your mouth. This is not just about you, it is about all of us and what we all can do to help minimize the spread.
#93
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,490
#94
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,334
Just off AS1171 DEN-SEA. Load was 16 (full) in F, 46 in Y on a 737-900. Water bottle at my seat, with more offered after takeoff. Soft drinks only (no beer), plus a basket with Tim's potato chips and Lesser Evil popcorn. Plastic cups were offered; I brought a cup of ice from McDonald's (offered for free: thanks!) onboard. We arrived 20 minutes early. Mt. Rainier was beautiful.
#95
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 845
Just flew MSO-LAX on a Horizon E175. We were just 6 on the flight, all of us upgraded to F. On board we were offered a full meal, either sandwich or salad. Had the chicken salad. Regular beverage service also including alcoholic beverages.
#96
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: LAS/SIN
Programs: TK E+, AS Gold
Posts: 67
Currently onboard the redeye SEA-PHL. 4/16 in F.
I was fully expecting no service (via multiple gate announcements) apart from a snack and water/canned beverage, but was surprised when the FA came around saying she had a fruit and cheese plate loaded, asking if we felt comfortable being served.
Also note that cups and ice (only offered in F) were loaded.
Not sure if this is an exception for transcons? My earlier LAS-SEA flight was precisely as advertised: snack basket, no cups or ice, and only water, canned beverages, and beer.
I was fully expecting no service (via multiple gate announcements) apart from a snack and water/canned beverage, but was surprised when the FA came around saying she had a fruit and cheese plate loaded, asking if we felt comfortable being served.
Also note that cups and ice (only offered in F) were loaded.
Not sure if this is an exception for transcons? My earlier LAS-SEA flight was precisely as advertised: snack basket, no cups or ice, and only water, canned beverages, and beer.
#97
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG, 1MM
Posts: 377
Flew trans-con yesterday, one of the more striking things was how many times they tell you they cleaned the plane. After arrival of the inbound jet the GA said it would be a little time as they were "deep" cleaning the plane with hospital grade disinfectants and that the aircraft has a HEPA filter. When we boarded, the FA made the exact same statement and prior to departure the pilot made the same announcement. No food, only prepackaged cookies, chips, etc. Cans of beers and or pop available on request. Everyone took it in stride and the FAs tried to make the best of reduced service in First.
#98
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,334
Another thing I forgot to mention from my flight the other day: the "Welcome to First" folder (with its meal and beverage descriptions) and the inflight magazine (also with a meal and beverage section) were both absent. Just the safety card and an airsick bag were in the pocket.
Edited to add that of course removing that could be touched by multiple passengers would do a lot to remove any potential virus-spreaders. A big "duh!" for me!
Edited to add that of course removing that could be touched by multiple passengers would do a lot to remove any potential virus-spreaders. A big "duh!" for me!
Last edited by Kurt; Mar 23, 2020 at 12:31 pm
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,550
Another thing I forgot to mention from my flight the other day: the "Welcome to First" folder (with its meal and beverage descriptions) and the inflight magazine (also with a meal and beverage section) were both absent. Just the safety card and an airsick bag were in the pocket.
Edited to add that of course removing that could be touched by multiple passengers would do a lot to remove any potential virus-spreaders. A big "duh!" for me!
Edited to add that of course removing that could be touched by multiple passengers would do a lot to remove any potential virus-spreaders. A big "duh!" for me!
They provided canned beverages in F, no cups, no food. The pilots did get hot meals and coffee.
The flight itself was maybe half full or a little less, but part of that might have been moved from other flights - I had been booked BUR-PDX but it was cancelled.
Alaska Lounge at LAX still had the no priority pass sign out, but I was number 4 instead of 43. Still didn't quite make it in.
PDX was absolutely quiet on arrival - the terminal was empty at 10:30 pm. The car rental had the tensabarriers set up to keep customers from getting close up to the counter right in front of the terminal that was in use, effectively forcing a ~6 foot separation.
#100
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 561
Flew FLL-SEA-PDX yesterday 3/22.
For the first time since being MVPG, we bought saver instead of main fare. Because it's a last-minute ticket (connecting from an international flight out of South America), most elites are already processed for upgrade so F was almost full when we booked. Given recent cut on food and beverage served, we thought it's not worth the extra money just for a premium seat, especially that the plane will be wide empty in the back.
The FLL-SEA leg served a biscuit and only one round of beverage (canned soda only in Y). No food options for purchase, but I did see an FA walking with a snack box, presumably for F. For beverage, announcement says beer is available, and I also saw someone having a sparking wine (and spilled it in the aisle because he shook it too much trying to open).
The SEA-PDX leg had no F&B service at all, which is totally understandable. Oddly enough, before takeoff an FA gave us each a chocolate for MVPG members - a real surprise given current environment. FA seemed confused to find us in row 30, I guess they don't see elites there very often lol.
For the first time since being MVPG, we bought saver instead of main fare. Because it's a last-minute ticket (connecting from an international flight out of South America), most elites are already processed for upgrade so F was almost full when we booked. Given recent cut on food and beverage served, we thought it's not worth the extra money just for a premium seat, especially that the plane will be wide empty in the back.
The FLL-SEA leg served a biscuit and only one round of beverage (canned soda only in Y). No food options for purchase, but I did see an FA walking with a snack box, presumably for F. For beverage, announcement says beer is available, and I also saw someone having a sparking wine (and spilled it in the aisle because he shook it too much trying to open).
The SEA-PDX leg had no F&B service at all, which is totally understandable. Oddly enough, before takeoff an FA gave us each a chocolate for MVPG members - a real surprise given current environment. FA seemed confused to find us in row 30, I guess they don't see elites there very often lol.
#101
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 7K, MARRIOTT PLAT PREMIER WITH AMBASSADOR
Posts: 164
Anyone have any news or timelines how long the food and drink service policies are going to remain? I am guessing at least April 30th, and probably longer to help with cutting costs even after Corona dies down. Totally understand them doing it, but has anyone heard any timeline estimates?
#102
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
Anyone have any news or timelines how long the food and drink service policies are going to remain? I am guessing at least April 30th, and probably longer to help with cutting costs even after Corona dies down. Totally understand them doing it, but has anyone heard any timeline estimates?
#104
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Eastern Shore of Lake Michigan; Formerly SEA
Programs: AS MVPG | oneworld Sapphire
Posts: 578
#105
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I took a look through https://www.seatacshops.com/ and from what I can see, Capitol Hill Food Hall is open in the A terminal with wine and beer, and Skillet is open in N with beer and a full bar. I can't tell from https://blog.alaskaair.com/coronavir...e-our-lounges/ whether alcohol is still served in the Alaska Lounge in D.
The were serving canned beer in F but not cold & no ice on board. If you take freezer packs with you, you can take them through security as long as they are frozen. You can also take the mini bottles of alcohol (50ml) through security but technically can't consume your own on board. If there is a food outlet past security that has ice, ask them for a cup of ice before boarding. I offered a $1 for the cup & ice which was accepted with a smile.
James