In-flight Fare
 

In-flight Fare

Collectively, US airlines spend over $3 billion dollars a year on in-flight food service, and, according to a Consumer Reports survey, individual airlines spend anywhere between $.26 (as Southwest does for
its peanuts and beverage fare) and $10.05 per person on meals. When times get tough, as they are now, food is the first budget item to get the ax. Read on to find out which airlines are cutting food, which
ones are bringing back fare to the skies and what you can do if a medical ailment, such as diabetes, requires you to eat while in the
air...

http://newsletter.oag.com/cgi-bin2/f...CH70TQ0Bhj20A2

As has been said many times, the airline that charge $5-$10 more per ticket, but includes meals will get much more business. And guess what? The passenger paid for the food, not the airline. When offered the choice of a cattle car flight at $214 or a full service flight for $229 it is easy. what are they thinking?

It's not $10/pax for a coach meal.

It would be for one which you'd actually WANT to eat.

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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

so if you carry on food, does that count as a carry-on?

Nope, food to bring on the plane is one of those "extra items" not included in the 1+1 carry-on limit (like a coat or a diaper bag).

Theoretically, you could bring aboard:
- a carry-on bag
- a backpack (personal item)
- a food item (in a cooler bag?)
- a bag of duty free items
- a child restraint device
- a big coat with lots of pockets
- and an item of reading material

Why check anything in? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

- Sameer

Actually 1+1 means ONE carry on and ONE personal item, meaning a small backpack, a purse, a bag of food, anything other than that ONE carry on you're allowed to bring. 1+1 does not mean two carry ons and personal items. A coat or a book would not be considered into your carry on limit. Anything other than you're ONE carry on (with the exception of a jacket or magazine, book, etc.) is considered another item and is only allowed if it falls into that category of the "personal item" which includes a purse, diaper bag, briefcase, laptop or a small backpack.

[This message has been edited by AS Flyer (edited 02-07-2002).]

Interesting article... noticed this:

Wasn't this character the UA marketing chief until just a while ago? And what the heck is the International Inflight Food Service Association? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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"What do you mean you didn't get miles for that?!"

I wouldn't be so sure. If memory serves me correctly, back in 1991 when I did my airline summer internship, the average $/pax spent on coach meals ranged from just under $4 to $8.50. With inflation, I wouldn't surprised if the $10 figure was accurate (even taking into account recent cutbacks). In any case, this information is readily available in airline industry publications (if anyone cares to do a little research).

I used to know exact figures for Continental, but have since forgotten.

It's nowhere near $10/mo, though. I want to say that the F class domestic meals were <$20, too, which is totally reasonable.

Compare what you're getting to what you could get a restaurant. And then remember that it's bought in bulk and take out the tip.

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daniel baker -- [email protected]
Reliable, fast, and unmoderated forums at ITYT.

You mean you don't tip? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

When calculating the food costs, is this the direct costs only? does it include Overhead? labor? I can't see how a coach meal bought in such bulk quantities come to close to $10 unless you include a huge overhead rate and labor. Labor shouldn't be counted unless its for the people who prepare the meals.

I would be amazed if AA paid $10 for their Bistro dinner service. You get the following:

1 small sandwich $1
1 bag of chips .50 cents
1 sm bottle of water .50
1 cookie .25
1 bag of nut mix .25
1 paper bag .25
1 napkin .02

Total cost of this meal: $2.77

I am sure they pay less for the above when they buy it in bulk. The breakfast bistro would cost even less.

Throw in an extra $1.00 when they serve you a hot sandwich and it is still way less then the $5-$10 quoted.

International meal service does cost more but so do the tickets.

If the airport shops can provide decent meals between $5 and $10 (and they have to pay for labor and rent), why can't the airlines?

After Midwest Express, American has long been the leader in food & beverage spending per passenger. In 2000, AA spent roughly $8.00 per passenger (across all cabins, all flights, NOT an average per coach meal). Of course, spending in 2002 will be down substantially.

This is not an average cost per MEAL, it is computed by dividing the total dollars spent on food & beverage by the total number of passengers boarded that year.

Premium, First and Business meals are much more expensive - the average for those may be more like $20-$40 each while the coach snacks and meals may be only a couple of bucks.

Won't find me complaining about AA's front cabin meals. Don't want yours, I'll eat it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif