Airlines Make Flying Coach a Little Sweeter
Having just taken two 20-hour international flights, I was reminded of the luxury of airline food. I was treated to sushi, soba noodles, grilled eel, Haagen-Dazs ice-cream, snacks every two hours . . . and all for free. Sigh . . . remember when domestic flights offered free food, rather than a less-than-appetizing dry turkey wrap with a packet of mayonnaise, a side of Lays potato chips, and a soda for $10? Well, although free food on domestic flights likely will not make a comeback, airlines have taken note of consumers’ expectations of higher quality food during mealtime:
Now airlines are revamping their offerings—and inventory control—in a bid to turn coach food into a money-maker, to better compete with upgraded airport food outlets and even enhance their own brand. Gone are boxes with beef jerky and soggy turkey sandwiches. In their place, fresh foods, lighter fare, brand-name products and even the kind of fancy food you get in first class. You might even call it “haute cuisine” since it’s served six miles above sea level.
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To lure back fliers … Delta Air Lines has been rolling out new coach food products designed by celebrity chef Todd English, including grilled chicken gyros, and almond-butter-and-grape-jelly sandwiches. Some popular indulgences like $2 cups of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream have been added to some flights. One of the best-selling items, Delta says, is a $6 fruit-and-cheese plate with smoked Gouda, Havarti and Derby cheeses paired with grapes, pecan halves and dried apricots.
American Airlines thinks serving brand names is a better approach, rather than touting celebrity chefs who may not be well-known in some parts of the country. American now sells Boston Market sandwiches and salads, figuring the well-known restaurant chain will give passengers better assurance of the quality of the food over unnamed airline fare.
Catering companies that supply American’s food prepare the items under Boston Market specifications, and items are priced only slightly higher than store prices. For $10, American serves you a chicken Carver sandwich, bag of potato chips and a soft drink (still offered free by the airline). Boston Market sells the sandwich combo with a drink and a side for $8.29.
An improvement, yes, but $10 is still steep . . . I’d rather get normal airplane food for free! I might just be better off bringing my own meal onto the plane. But for those who are actually willing to pay for their airline meals, this news comes as a welcome treat and will surely boost sales.
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don mysterio
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Roxanne
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Darien
