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United to charge for meals on international flights
Gradual reductions to in-flight meals have finally reached the international market. It used to be that everyone on the aircraft got a meal, wherever where you were going or in what class you were. That slowly devolved to meals in first class on some long-haul flights (exception: Continental, where all meals in domestic are still free!).Now, spurned by cost cutting measures across the industry, United Airlines has announced that they're discontinuing meal service on some of their international flights.
From Washington DC's Dulles airport, flights to Europe will now offer food for purchase instead of the standard "chicken or pasta" choices. Nine dollars will get you a salad or sandwich while six buys a snack box. I found no mention of warm food in this Bloomberg article.
To reiterate: they aren't even charging you $9 for the soggy chicken that you used to get.
As to whether the changes will be unrolled to the rest of the international legs, the airline is still not sure. They'll be taking input from passengers after this trial period to see how poorly it's received.
And poorly received it will be. On a three or even four hour flight across the country I can see how someone can gorge up on food beforehand and make it through the itinerary. But on a nine hour flight you need to eat at some point. And unless you brought a sack lunch you're going to be forced to pay whatever prices they're charging. Yes, they only take cash.
Take this opportunity to send a note to UA protesting the changes. There's still time to reverse the tide.
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
John S. Mournian Aug 22nd 2008 5:37PM
I have many hours on UA Int'l flights and this BS is the end for me. I may have to use those other airlines, but I will be sure that I get fed and not nickel-dimed to frustration.
If UA is so poor, why not show us the actual cost per flight
on a 777 from SF to Nagoya or Tokyo? If oil goes back down, are they going to rduce fares? Believe me__I may pay more on a foreign liner, but I will get even and I encourage others to do the same. Making 3-4 Int'l trips to Japan per year is
money lost, but not to UA. You cannot even get my mileage
card name and number correct!
John Mournian___Smokescreen
jetlagth@aol.com Aug 22nd 2008 6:26PM
just please don't go after the flight attendants about this. I myself just read about it in the newspaper and was shocked.
Lennis Aug 22nd 2008 7:02PM
No wonder United has started an advertising campaign during the Olympics. They're hoping that the increased revenue from new passengers will more than make up for the ones they have lost - and are going to lose - from these nickel and dime policies. Of course, the advertising campaign will fail. They've already taken too much PR damage for it to succeed. I wonder how much money they spent on these Olympic ads, and how much of the losses will be passed on to customers? 2009 is a bit early to predict United's collapse, in my opinion. But 2010 or 2011? It could happen.
woody Aug 22nd 2008 7:05PM
it's time we all stayed home for at least a week,no flying at all .see how much they miss us then
Tari Aug 22nd 2008 7:09PM
This won't last long. Whatever executive put this into play was bored and trying to figure out how to get more money when he retires. Refuse to pay or refuse to fly and they will get the message. For those that are not aware, they already do this to Hawaii and no one complains. Personally I think the food sucks and the best part of the flight is the drinks.
tahoetaxis@aol.com Aug 22nd 2008 7:24PM
Why would anyone fly United anyway, they are almost
broke, their employees are disgruntled, and your bonus
miles are almost worthless.
NickE Aug 22nd 2008 7:45PM
Other possibilities:
Your ticket will only cover Transportation. If you want a seat, that will be an extra charge (Otherwise, it's SRO -- Hang onto an overhead strap, like the subway.
ALSO, if you want a seatbelt, it's an extra $5.
lately Aug 31st 2008 12:30PM
That was so funny...back in the 1990s when it was a new joke. Get some original material...preferably your own.
catholiver Aug 22nd 2008 7:47PM
I think we're lucky the airlines are in business. With the price of fuel (not even the recent increases) and all the other expenses, I believe flying is the best deal around. Recently we went from SFO to JFK and I priced Amtrak. About three times more expensive and it's getting government subsidized. I can fly cheaper than I can drive. I don't mind in the least bringing my own food. I started doing it years ago on Southwest. On our SFO/JFK/SFO flights, we had yummy deli meats, cheese and rolls. And to the poster who thinks you can't bring food on board, that's not true and never has been to my knowledge. I've flown multiple times a year domestic and international and bring on food with no problem.
Jamar Aug 23rd 2008 6:25AM
Some places are stricter than others. I know that Shanghai completely prohibits liquid items and they check at the gate as well as at security.
steve326m Aug 23rd 2008 3:43AM
Last Nov I flew 28 hours total flying from Boston to Manila, Philippines. If they expect to cut out meals on a long flight trip that long they're wack. As for bringing food, some airports will not allow any outside foods or drinks past security and onto the aircraft. This forces people to pay whatever they feel like charging you. The very best airline I have ever flown was Cathay Pacific. They treated me with the utmost respect and even fed me a meal on a 1 hr 40 min. God Bless, Steve. Formally of MA, now living in Bacolod City.
sueartwu@aol.com Aug 23rd 2008 9:37PM
an airline now charges you $120 fuel bill per passenger..
(what airline ?)
pay toilets and now a call for flight attendant fee...
masanddjs Aug 25th 2008 7:58AM
If it came to a flight attendant fee, I'd say fire them all and let us fend for ourselves
catholiver Aug 24th 2008 10:19PM
Please advise any airports that you know of that prohibit carrying on food that was purchased or brought in from outside of security. It's good for all to be aware.
Is there any form of transportation that DOES provide food? I know that buses and trains don't and those trips can be much, much longer than even the longest international flights. Don't you think that it's just something that we've become accustomed to rather than a "right"? Times change and, like it or not, we must also. I personally would rather pay for food or bring it onto the plane than have yet another airline go out of business.
Brad Aug 27th 2008 4:28PM
I have not flown on United since the 80's. I am a Skywards Gold member of Emirates Airline and have never had a single issue with them. I refuse to even consider another carrier if Emirates has a flight to my destination.
Elwood Aug 28th 2008 8:08PM
I think it's ok to charge for meals pssst do y'all know when all this started happening... lol I do No More Smoking ..... LMAOROTF.... and all the goody two shoes agreeded with having rights taken away.HAHAHA I love it