High Airline Prices Aren't Bad Enough, but Long Distance Flights:No Meal!

[jerseygal]

As if it isn't difficult enough to pay for the high cost of airline travel...

I guess I was CRAZY to think that on a 11 hour nonstop flight to Hawaii and 9 1/2 hours home, a small meal would be included in the price of the ticket! When I asked the question, customer service told me that we could purchase a meal or snack!

Ridiculous...On international flights that are shorter than that, a meal is provided...Absolutely CRAZY!

 

[bobbiwoz]

That is unbelievable!

What airline? Maybe it is all of them.

Bobbi

 

[davedmaine]

As if it isn't difficult enough to pay for the high cost of airline travel...

I guess I was CRAZY to think that on a 11 hour nonstop flight to Hawaii and 9 1/2 hours home, a small meal would be included in the price of the ticket! When I asked the question, customer service told me that we could purchase a meal or snack!

Ridiculous...On international flights that are shorter than that, a meal is provided...Absolutely CRAZY!

I guess you haven't flown in the last 10 years?

 

[Cinderpamela]

Hawaiian Airlines is one of the last ones to still include an in flight meal.... so I am guessing you arent flying with Hawaiian.

 

[jerseygal]

Actually, we certainly do fly domestically as well as to Aruba and Nassau...
Strange, 11 1/2 flight to Hawaii no meal included, but flights to Caribbean or internationally, meals are included...

So where is the rationale? Certainly not based on number of hours of a flight...

Glad for you that Hawaiian Airlines still provides!

 

[MouseMomx2]

Not all international flights include a meal. Icelandair offers food for purchase but no complimentary meals.

Personally, I'll go with whichever airline is least expensive, regardless of food service. It is nice when something is offered, but I'm okay with bringing something with me, if necessary.

 

[Breyean]

We pack our own meals. Nice sandwiches and maybe some snacks. Protein bars and the like.

We have actually had other passengers ask if we had brought extras and would we sell them to them!

 

[JimMIA]

I guess you haven't flown in the last 10 years?

Yeah, seriously...

Whenever I book a flight, it's always quite clear whether or not a meal or snack is provided. In dozens of flights in the last few years, I don't remember ever being surprised -- much less shocked and appalled. Please...

And honestly, having eaten a ton of airline "food," I consider the lack of a "meal" a blessing!

 

[Brian Noble]

One of the great pieces of advice from the Middle Seat blog on WSJ: Never get on a plane hungry---even if you are sitting in first class.

That said, my economy flights on Delta, DTW->NRT->SIN, fed me no fewer than five times total over the course of the 22 hours, in each direction. And, one or two of those meals weren't horrible.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Whenever I encounter the lack of meals on airplanes and see people carrying on their own Fast Food, I'm reminded of the skit on the old Carol Burnett show with Tim Conway and Harvey Korman flying and Tim Conway's doing "No frills", bring on his twinkles. Sorry, I don't know how to link, but I'm sure it's on you-tube. Carol Burnett is the flight attendant, and next thing you know, they'll whisper the flight safety spiel, just like she did.


Let's see if this link works-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCz8he36hsk

 

[tripletsmama]

We flew Hawaiian to Aulani and even though meals are included, i still recommend bringing your own food. On the way, they offered pasta, which was totally fine. On the way back, they offered a chicken dish that we found inedible. We were thrilled to go straight to McDonald's when we landed at LAX.

 

[Lissete]

Whenever I encounter the lack of meals on airplanes and see people carrying on their own Fast Food, I'm reminded of the skit on the old Carol Burnett show with Tim Conway and Harvey Korman flying and Tim Conway's doing "No frills", bring on his twinkles. Sorry, I don't know how to link, but I'm sure it's on you-tube. Carol Burnett is the flight attendant, and next thing you know, they'll whisper the flight safety spiel, just like she did. Let's see if this link works- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCz8he36hsk

That is one of my all time favorite skits!

We flew Hawaiian to Aulani and even though meals are included, i still recommend bringing your own food. On the way, they offered pasta, which was totally fine. On the way back, they offered a chicken dish that we found inedible. We were thrilled to go straight to McDonald's when we landed at LAX.

We always fly Hawaiian. Yes, the food can be hit or miss but we usually eat before boarding anyway. Plus we pack snacks. We always stop at Royal Kitchen on the way to the airport to get a box of Maunapuas. That usually makes everyone on the plane tres jealous! Maybe I should buy several boxes and sell them on the plane!

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We fly back and forth from West Coast to East Coast when we travel and never have a meal served. Yes, there are snacks available for purchase. Many just purchase whatever food that's in the terminal to eat during the flight. The last time we flew to WDW, I knew we wouldn't have time between flights or prior to departure to eat so I bought food from home. I will add that we had no TV or movie to watch during the flight. None offered, no headphones. First time that happened. Not surprised and it doesn't matter to me but I guess another thing that won't be offered any more.

 

[Anal Annie]

It is rare these days to find an airline that provides "free" meals. We are also flying Hawaiian Air from LAX to HNL so will be provided some sort of meal on that one flight. Our other long flights are on Alaska Air which will offer "food for purchase". We will likely just try to eat at the airports & pack some crackers or trail mix or pop tarts or something for the flights that don't provide meals. When we went to Europe a couple of years ago we flew on Air France which not only offered free meals but free BOOZE in the main cabin too. That was a real treat!! My DH was like hummm…free cognac - SURE!

 

[bumbershoot]

And honestly, having eaten a ton of airline "food," I consider the lack of a "meal" a blessing!

Then again, the "tapas" style boxes on both United and Alaska are pretty good. Well, the vegetarian ones, at least.

I will add that we had no TV or movie to watch during the flight. None offered, no headphones. First time that happened. Not surprised and it doesn't matter to me but I guess another thing that won't be offered any more.

Better than our experience. They started a movie, stopped it. Put on the movie that should have been on, as the movie got about 1/3 of the way through, they stopped it and put on something else.

Some dingbat in first class, I was told, convinced the FAs that they were playing the wrong movie. I pulled out the flight magazine, where it clearly showed that westbound got the movie they stopped. The FA apologized and asked if we wanted any free food or drink (we had already eaten and my son was not having a great flight because of exhaustion so I really couldn't have any wine and feel good about it), but wouldn't stop the movie... SO irritating.

 

[swooshbear]

The few free meals I've had on planes lately, most recently on Hawaiian, have not been very good. I would much rather bring/pay for my own food than eat the stuff they give you on planes.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

As if it isn't difficult enough to pay for the high cost of airline travel...

I guess I was CRAZY to think that on a 11 hour nonstop flight to Hawaii and 9 1/2 hours home, a small meal would be included in the price of the ticket! When I asked the question, customer service told me that we could purchase a meal or snack!

Ridiculous...On international flights that are shorter than that, a meal is provided...Absolutely CRAZY!

The few free meals I've had on planes lately, most recently on Hawaiian, have not been very good. I would much rather bring/pay for my own food than eat the stuff they give you on planes.

I never understand the "outrage" over the fact that the airline didn't sever you inedible food. I travel a lot, and even on flights with meals I bring on my own food. Generally it wasn't cooked a week ago and is edible LOL!

 

[Micca]

One of the great pieces of advice from the Middle Seat blog on WSJ: Never get on a plane hungry---even if you are sitting in first class.

ITA! I would add "always bring some kind of food along with you." (and candy or cookies doesn't count). I also always bring a bottle of water. When you get on a plane you can't really be certain when you're getting off the plane, or what they might have available in the way of food.

 

[CarolMN]

Moved from DVC Boards.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you want a meal served on a domestic flight, you need to fly business or first class. Believe me, usually whatever meal you bring on board yourself is better than what you will be served by the airline.

Same goes for entertainment; bring your own.