Vegas has come a long way, baby. No longer a Mecca for gambling and other less licit activities, the city has become synonymous with family fun, world-class dining, and big-name entertainment.
27.07.2023 - 18:21 / smartertravel.com / Tim Winship / Airlines
To the argument that flying is becoming more hospitable, or is at least regaining some of its former hospitability, can now be added this: American Airlines is bringing back free meals in coach on some flights.
Beginning on May 1, American’s flights between New York and both Los Angeles and San Francisco will feature free Main Cabin meals, either a continental breakfast or a sandwich wrap with chips and a sweet. Other options include vegetarian and fruit plates.
Related:Congress to Consider Bill Requiring Seat-Size MinimumsAmerican’s move comes two months after Delta started serving free coach meals on its flights between New York and both Los Angeles and San Francisco. And beginning in April, Delta will expand the service to include select coast-to-coast flights to and from Seattle, New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. In all, free coach meals will be served on flights in 12 long-haul markets.
It’s been more than a decade since free coach meals were the industry standard, so even these limited offerings are noteworthy. Might we be seeing an industry-wide trend toward improving the coach-class experience?
According to American’s news release, “Some of our best customers fly our trans-continental routes and we want to give them a top-notch onboard experience. Providing complimentary meals in the Main Cabin is yet another step we’re taking to enhance our service in this competitive market.”
Reading between those lines, it’s clear that this is a route-specific initiative, designed to shore up American’s position in the particularly competitive transcon market. In other words: Don’t expect to see free coach meals on other American domestic flights anytime soon.
What we are likely to see is a very targeted response from United, which is also heavily invested in the transcon market, with its upgraded Premium Service. Elsewhere, the only coach freebies will be stroopwafels and soft drinks.
Reader Reality Check
What should the airlines do to improve the coach-class experience?
More from SmarterTravel: Is Any Rewards Card Worth a $550 Annual Fee? Travel Hackers Beware, American Express Has Its Eyes on You Southwest Improves Standby Benefit for ElitesAfter 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.
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Vegas has come a long way, baby. No longer a Mecca for gambling and other less licit activities, the city has become synonymous with family fun, world-class dining, and big-name entertainment.
Bad news for the airlines often translates as good news for travel consumers.
Beginning on June 1, Spirit will become the third airline to pull out of the Cuba market altogether, joining Frontier and Silver Airways. Two other airlines, American and JetBlue, have cut capacity on their Cuba flights, either by reducing frequency or downgrading to smaller planes.
Enter the American Airlines “Your Vacation Spot” sweepstakes by April 1, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a $10,000 American Airlines Vacations travel voucher.
Flying to Europe between now and July 31? Good. Flying on a first-, business-, or full coach-fare ticket? Even better. Because, bonus miles.
Alaska Airlines is justly lauded for its Mileage Plan loyalty program, which among other features boasts 17 airline partners, allowing program members to earn and redeem miles for flights throughout the world.
Until yesterday, American Airlines customers dismayed at the airline’s August 1 pivot to a spend-based mileage program had a fallback option: Earn miles for their American flights in Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan program, which still awards miles the old-fashioned way, according to the distance flown.
Enter the Wyndham “Have Points, Will Travel” sweepstakes by March 31, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: 1 million Wyndham Rewards points.
Supersonic speed – mainstream fares
JetBlue is on a promotional tear. Triple points for June flights. A fast track to elite status. Matching points for Virgin America flyers.
Enter the Cupcake Vineyards “Treat Today” sweepstakes by March 15, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a five-day trip for two to the 2016 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, including air, hotel, airport transfers, and event passes. Runner-up prizes include $100 and $50 gift cards.
If American Airlines’ recent scheduling glitch left you wondering whether your holiday flight would be cancelled for lack of available pilots, you can now rest easy.