How long will CO continue its free meals/snack program ?
#1
Original Poster




Join Date: May 2004
Location: US
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,042
How long will CO continue its free meals/snack program ?
In the current environment, how long will it be, before CO starts charging for meals/snacks. Almost all carriers charge for meals and many charge for snacks.
Considering the changes US and UA are making, I guess I am lucky to be an elite with CO (IAH) and also WN as a backup (HOU).
Considering the changes US and UA are making, I guess I am lucky to be an elite with CO (IAH) and also WN as a backup (HOU).
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Continental Gold Elite, United Premier Executive
Posts: 6,766
In the current environment, how long will it be, before CO starts charging for meals/snacks. Almost all carriers charge for meals and many charge for snacks.
Considering the changes US and UA are making, I guess I am lucky to be an elite with CO (IAH) and also WN as a backup (HOU).
Considering the changes US and UA are making, I guess I am lucky to be an elite with CO (IAH) and also WN as a backup (HOU).
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: ACT/GRK/DAL/ABI/MIA/FLL
Programs: OMNIArchist, OMNIArchy!, OMNIIDGAS
Posts: 23,478
They won't stop doing this becuase in the end it is the service that keeps people coming back.
I have to say the last sandwidch I had was really tasty
Maybe it was because I'd been on planes for the last 3 hours and hitailed it to the other plane without getting a chance for any stop.
I have to say the last sandwidch I had was really tasty

Maybe it was because I'd been on planes for the last 3 hours and hitailed it to the other plane without getting a chance for any stop.
#4




Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,925
Serving sandwiches in coach on domestic flights likely helps to balance the Chelsea work day. Make them in the morning then move the employees over to BF services in the afternoon - when they need peak workers.
#5

Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,034
CO places a real dollar value on product differentiation and customer good will, both of which free meals create. Since we all know that CO is, ummm...frugal, the return on this expense must be more than the cost.
Chelsea is a major player in the catering world with kitchens in 5 hubs providing catering not only to CO but to many other airlines, intl and dom. In addition, they provide food for Starbucks in DEN. This is from Jan '06 but I assume it hasn't changed, "...creating specialty sandwiches and cheese-and-fruit trays for 128 Starbucks stores in the Denver area. With a monthly production estimated at 47,000 sandwiches, and with additional products currently under review".
Chelsea is a major player in the catering world with kitchens in 5 hubs providing catering not only to CO but to many other airlines, intl and dom. In addition, they provide food for Starbucks in DEN. This is from Jan '06 but I assume it hasn't changed, "...creating specialty sandwiches and cheese-and-fruit trays for 128 Starbucks stores in the Denver area. With a monthly production estimated at 47,000 sandwiches, and with additional products currently under review".
Last edited by pptp; Jun 14, 2008 at 7:48 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Southern, CA, USA
Programs: UA just 8800 mi short of Silver
Posts: 2,813
>>>>>have to say the last sandwidch I had was really tasty>>>>>
Are you referring to that bite and a half circular roll with a piece of turkey that is so thin it only has one side, plus lettuce?
Are you referring to that bite and a half circular roll with a piece of turkey that is so thin it only has one side, plus lettuce?
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: ACT/GRK/DAL/ABI/MIA/FLL
Programs: OMNIArchist, OMNIArchy!, OMNIIDGAS
Posts: 23,478
#8


Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Silver, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 7,494
When we toured the Chelsea kitchens at last year's IAH DO you could see that the staff, prep area and amount of food that went into creating the coach snacks was miniscule compared to that for the F and international meals. Since CO owns the facilities it would probably save them very little to eliminate the domestic Y food. And in the coming months and years, when the experience on most US airlines will resemble Ryan Air (but with high fares), CO's product will be upscale in comparison. CO no doubt hopes that will translate into more pax and better fares.

