The Seattle-based airline on Aug. 1 will start charging for all in-flight meals, except flights to the East Coast. The airline will offer meals more substantial than turkey sandwiches to economy class, but for a price. First-class passengers will see no change in service, said Alaska marketing director Greg Latimer.
On flights shorter than three hours, such as those from Juneau to Seattle, a snack and a nonalcoholic beverage are still free, he added.
“People are simply not used to getting a meal,” said Anchorage travel agent Carol Manley, with Custom Trip Planning. “I just tell my clients don’t get on the plane hungry.”
Passengers are more upset about increasing fares, and because they are paying more, some think they shouldn’t have to spend extra for meals on board, said Cyndi Isaak, owner of Cyndi’s Cruise & Travel, on Douglas Island.
Alaska’s new service follows several major domestic airlines that began charging for meals in recent years to cut costs. The industry, among other factors, has been hurting from high fuel prices, and Latimer said that was one of the reasons for charging for meals.
Other airlines are offering heartier meals, and Alaska officials say they want to stay competitive. The airline used to offer hot meals on flights in the 1980s and 1990s, before the industry went into a slump, Latimer said.
Alaska expects to save “several million dollars” by switching to the meals-for-purchase program, Latimer said. He also expects the company will not make any profits from the sales, but break even because the airline is overstocking flights with meals to ensure that anyone who wants a meal gets one.
|
|
|
| E-mail this Story a friend |
Send a message to the editor |
Have our Headlines sent to you |
