Rant: No food on a transcon
Feb 27, 2022, 8:11 pm
#16
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to be fair we should make the comparison between first world AA (said between clenched teeth) and all the foreign airlines offering food on 4hr+flyts.
Some of us find it attractive as a snack even if it's peanuts to be slowly munched to fill the boredom of a middle seat
Some of us find it attractive as a snack even if it's peanuts to be slowly munched to fill the boredom of a middle seat
Last edited by Microwave; Feb 27, 2022 at 10:48 pm Reason: Removed quote of deleted post
Feb 27, 2022, 8:13 pm
#17
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Feb 27, 2022, 8:35 pm
#18
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Feb 27, 2022, 8:42 pm
#19
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My son recently did a round trip on Turkish Airlines between DUB and IST. 1,550 miles. Roughly the distance between JFK and AUS. These were the complimentary meals in Y. Bread was warm.
Feb 27, 2022, 9:07 pm
#20
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I definitely carry spare protein bars for these occasions.
AC selling business meals in economy is not new.
AS is an interesting airline that has a lot of bad habits that seem to get overlooked.
Eh. Feel free to realize that "smelly" is relative. The only food that people universally agree smells bad is durian.
Absolutely, having snacks on a long flight is important, ultimately you need to be ready even if the airline fails.
It really isn't an excuse though that the airlines can't serve decent food. Air Canada has even started selling business class meals in economy if you are inclined to pay up, which can meal a hot meal in real crockery, even on a domestic or US bound flight.
Here is Alaska's current daytime meal menu for economy. From my past experiences with Alaska they do a nice job as well, plus I can expect full bar service, and have even been gifted a chocolate bar for my OW status when flying on AS. Meanwhile on my last transcon with American I was amazed to receive both the Biscoff cookies AND corn nuts, they can do better than that!
It really isn't an excuse though that the airlines can't serve decent food. Air Canada has even started selling business class meals in economy if you are inclined to pay up, which can meal a hot meal in real crockery, even on a domestic or US bound flight.
Here is Alaska's current daytime meal menu for economy. From my past experiences with Alaska they do a nice job as well, plus I can expect full bar service, and have even been gifted a chocolate bar for my OW status when flying on AS. Meanwhile on my last transcon with American I was amazed to receive both the Biscoff cookies AND corn nuts, they can do better than that!
AS is a great li’l airline, but be aware that despite presenting you with the possibility of preordering meals, there’s a non-zero chance of “sorry, we weren’t catered as expected” “because covid” on your flight. That has happened to me multiple times within the past few months.
This doesn’t change the point some of you are making when comparing AA to other airlines, but as a practical matter the grass isn’t always greener even when it seems like it should be.
This doesn’t change the point some of you are making when comparing AA to other airlines, but as a practical matter the grass isn’t always greener even when it seems like it should be.
Eh. Feel free to realize that "smelly" is relative. The only food that people universally agree smells bad is durian.
Last edited by Microwave; Feb 27, 2022 at 10:51 pm Reason: Removed quote of and reply to deleted post
Feb 27, 2022, 9:19 pm
#21
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Before almost any trip I toss a bunch of soft granola bars in my pack. Sometimes they get eaten, sometimes not. Up thread someone mentioned jerky, for domestic flights that is fine but could be problematic on some international flights as meat products can not always be imported.
Feb 27, 2022, 9:49 pm
#22
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That's great but the average American air traveler books the cheapest possible ticket, that's why the ULCCs like Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, etc., are the fastest-growing and most profitable airlines right now. The vast majority of travelers in the US (domestic leisure, especially post-COVID) couldn't give two shts about in-flight meals, they're getting on Priceline and Expedia and booking the cheapest flight no matter what. I hate to be elitist, but in many other countries air travel is a luxury that is not accessible to most of the population. In America that's not the case. Air travel is accessible to the masses, and the product reflects that.
Feb 27, 2022, 11:27 pm
#23
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That's great but the average American air traveler books the cheapest possible ticket, that's why the ULCCs like Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, etc., are the fastest-growing and most profitable airlines right now. The vast majority of travelers in the US (domestic leisure, especially post-COVID) couldn't give two shts about in-flight meals, they're getting on Priceline and Expedia and booking the cheapest flight no matter what. I hate to be elitist, but in many other countries air travel is a luxury that is not accessible to most of the population. In America that's not the case. Air travel is accessible to the masses, and the product reflects that.
Feb 28, 2022, 4:34 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2016
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That's great but the average American air traveler books the cheapest possible ticket, that's why the ULCCs like Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, etc., are the fastest-growing and most profitable airlines right now. The vast majority of travelers in the US (domestic leisure, especially post-COVID) couldn't give two shts about in-flight meals, they're getting on Priceline and Expedia and booking the cheapest flight no matter what. I hate to be elitist, but in many other countries air travel is a luxury that is not accessible to most of the population. In America that's not the case. Air travel is accessible to the masses, and the product reflects that.
While US-Based Airlines have definitely been slashing costs (and food is one of them) to compete with LCC, European Airlines for the most part (with the exception of BA) have managed to keep a decent amount of service despite dealing with ULCC's who have gone lower than most US ULCCs. Also, I have flown on pretty much every US airline transcon (with the exception of Jet Blue).... I don't understand how they justify one drink service on a 5-6 hour flight.
Feb 28, 2022, 6:43 am
#25
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FWIW, I recently flew AA from MIA-LIR and there were several pre-flight gate announcements saying no food would be available on board, even for purchase. Luckily, we'd used my Priority Pass to visit the Turkish Airlines club (quite a hike, BTW) and had a pretty decent breakfast. But, granted, no food options on a transcon does seem stingy.
UA on the other hand, has buy-on-board on their LIR-IAH flight, which I think would put AA at a competitive disadvantage, although I doubt anyone choses one airline over another based on one's ability to buy overpriced, salty snacks at 30,000 feet. We did choose the AA flight, however, because they had wi-fi internationally and UA does not, and my partner needed to be working that morning.
As my 9th grade algebra teacher used to say "You pays your money, you takes your choice"
UA on the other hand, has buy-on-board on their LIR-IAH flight, which I think would put AA at a competitive disadvantage, although I doubt anyone choses one airline over another based on one's ability to buy overpriced, salty snacks at 30,000 feet. We did choose the AA flight, however, because they had wi-fi internationally and UA does not, and my partner needed to be working that morning.
As my 9th grade algebra teacher used to say "You pays your money, you takes your choice"
Feb 28, 2022, 6:47 am
#26
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Yep, I have flown MIA-SEA many times through covid, the longest lower-48 domestic US flight, and the lack of service in the back is pathetic. I always fill up in the airport before boarding, and hope to sleep through as much of the flight as I can. American is the last large US airline holding out of resuming full service in the back of plane "because covid" even though Delta, United, Jetblue, Alaska, etc have been able to do it.
I recently booked FLL-SEA on Alaska instead, and have the choice of 4, yes FOUR, meal pre-order options in economy for buy-on-board. Plus I got a free premium class seat with my AA status so I'll get complementary adult beverages as well.
I recently booked FLL-SEA on Alaska instead, and have the choice of 4, yes FOUR, meal pre-order options in economy for buy-on-board. Plus I got a free premium class seat with my AA status so I'll get complementary adult beverages as well.
Feb 28, 2022, 7:12 am
#27
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Feb 28, 2022, 9:23 am
#28
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An emergency granola/protein bar and maybe some jerky is a great idea. You never know when you're going to get stranded at CVG after all of the airport concessions close with a ...... $10 voucher for questionable hotel food likely prepared by drug addicts and a 530AM departure the next morning way before even the airport Starbucks are open.
Feb 28, 2022, 10:18 am
#30
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The MIA-SEA in-flight food & beverage situation was truly bad during COVID. That's a seven-hour flight going west, plus or minus another hour of gate time at either end. If you run into anything like normal traffic getting to MIA you rarely have time to stop for a meal either at the Admirals Club nor at the few places offering takeaway in the terminal.
