Mesa Airlines / American Eagle - Still cash only for alcohol/food?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 254
Mesa Airlines / American Eagle - Still cash only for alcohol/food?
Nothing came up in the search. When I flew PHX-AUS a few months ago, Mesa Airlines/American Eagle told me alcohol was cash only. Is that still true? I know AA and just about every other airline phased out cash a few years ago, therefore, I was pretty surprised.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: New York
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Posts: 245
Cash has been phased out on mainline flights, but Eagle flights are operated by other carriers (Envoy, Mesa, Republic, etc.). AA and the operating carrier haven't invested the time and money to outfit all the FAs with devices to accept credit cards. Given the usually short nature of Eagle flights, there isn't much incentive to do so.
Last edited by danohio; Aug 30, 16 at 11:48 am Reason: spelling
#3
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Minneapolis, MN
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Posts: 2,063
Cash has been phased out on mainline flights, but Eagle flights are operated by other carriers (Envoy, Mesa, Republic, etc.). AA and the operating carrier haven't invested the time and money to outfit all the FAs with devices to accept credit cards. Given the usually short nature of Eagle flights, there isn't much incentive to do so.
These FAs often fly multiple legs under different parent companies (DL, UA, AA), so until they (Envoy, Mesa, Republic, ExpressJet) can figure out a device that can do that, cash is the simplest form of payment.
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL (ex-NW) Plat pining for self-serve WC's and real cheese
Posts: 708
This seems like another area where AA IT is woefully behind the times. If I am correct, Delta Connection carriers went cashless years ago.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
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Since mainline FAs have devices created specifically for their carrier, the 'Regional' carriers would have to create a device that would be able to read the different parent they fly under.
These FAs often fly multiple legs under different parent companies (DL, UA, AA), so until they (Envoy, Mesa, Republic, ExpressJet) can figure out a device that can do that, cash is the simplest form of payment.
These FAs often fly multiple legs under different parent companies (DL, UA, AA), so until they (Envoy, Mesa, Republic, ExpressJet) can figure out a device that can do that, cash is the simplest form of payment.
No excuse for this in this day and age.
#8
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Programs: My opinions are not those of AA or any affiliates of AMR Corp.
Posts: 2,063

Cash has been phased out on mainline flights, but Eagle flights are operated by other carriers (Envoy, Mesa, Republic, etc.). AA and the operating carrier haven't invested the time and money to outfit all the FAs with devices to accept credit cards. Given the usually short nature of Eagle flights, there isn't much incentive to do so.
Each airline has their own software running on their refurbished tablets/phones for on-board sales, manuals, drill videos, and other airline specific apps. It's not as easy as buying a square and just plugging it in and go. These tablets/phones are not able to make/receive voice calls.
The three carriers would have to get together and create a software/app that would be able to read just their specific sales/info. I don't see that happening anytime soon.
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2011
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You're lucky there was a snack to choose from. On my last few eagle flights, only the free snacks have been available. Yesterday, on PHL-YUL (50 seater Air Wisconsin) the FA said he only had pretzels and had not seen the premium snacks on his flights in a few weeks. He mentioned that since AA reintroduced free snacks that sales of the premium snacks have been way down so they don't carry them often on 50 seaters. He also said it is actually up to Air Wisconsin as to what food is carried onboard, not AA. Not sure how accurate all of that is, but it does fall in line with my recent eagle (mainly Air Wisconsin) experience. OTOH, mainline LUS has gotten very good about offering the snack/drink benefit proactively in coach (which is where I usually find myself these days).
#12
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: OR
Programs: AA EXP; HHonors Gold; IHG Platinum
Posts: 119
AA's regional carriers only accept cash for onboard purchases - same announcement on every Republic and PSA flight I've been on. Additionally, FA also told me regionals don't stock Woodford Reserve either.

#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 49,454
It's cash only on the regional carriers. Period. That's on the website, so nothing to confirm anecdotally.
It's not just a matter of an app because the devices on all three carriers store the data and are then downloaded at each station. Even on aircraft with Internet access.
Until it hurts sales, there's no incentive to change the system.
It's not just a matter of an app because the devices on all three carriers store the data and are then downloaded at each station. Even on aircraft with Internet access.
Until it hurts sales, there's no incentive to change the system.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: AA, UA, DL, SW
Posts: 1
DL connection carriers haven't completely switched to cashless cabins. I flew DTW-GSP over Easter weekend and both segments were cashless cabins. I believe aircraft operated by Mesa. I inquired and they verified that the company didn't want to invest in a CRJ.