AIR INDIA TO INTRODUCE PAID MEALS?

[dropcap size=small]A[/dropcap]ir India is contemplating the introduction of paid meals for economy class passengers on select routes, this follows an already reduced inflight meal service on domestic flights up to 90 minutes. Air India is facing fierce competition and is looking to increase revenues and reduce costs.

The airline stopped serving hot meals and instead now offers snack boxes on Indian domestic flights with a flight time of up to 90 minutes. The Hindu Business Line reported today that the airline plans to start charging for food served to passengers on short flights of up to 60-90 minutes in duration. At this stage, this is a trial only, and a final decision on whether or not the new system will be introduced should be made in the second half of this year.

The airline’s competitors SpiceJet and Indigo do not provide free meals, and instead offer a buy on board and pre-order meal system for passengers. The prices for the new Air India meals are yet to be determined but should be released by the airline shortly.

NEW INFLIGHT MEAL OPTIONS ON SAS

[dropcap size=small]S[/dropcap]AS is hoping to improve your experience onboard with a range of new meal options for passengers travelling on SAS Plus fares. SAS offers two different types of airfares for passengers travelling within Europe; the first is SAS Go and the second SAS Plus. SAS Go does not include complimentary meals while SAS Plus does include meals (plus some other benefits too).

For those travelling in SAS Plus, an upgraded evening meal will be served in a newly designed box which features glassware from the famous Scandinavian glass maker Orreforsglass. On flights before 9 am free breakfast is served to SAS Plus customers and during the day meal offerings may include warm and cold snacks.

Fea_010_Sas_a

SAS Go passengers will have the opportunity to purchase a range of new meals options from the onboard cafe, which you can view here: http://www.flysas.com/en/us/travel-info/onboard/shop-onboard. Passengers can use SAS Euro Bonus miles to make inflight meal purchases also.

The onboard cafe will be updated regularly with seasonal options for passengers to purchase, and the airline still offers coffee and tea for free on SAS flights.

Pre-departure champagne is being re-introduced in business class along with other treats, while SAS Go includes pre-departure still water and one non-alcoholic drink together with meals. Alcoholic beverages are included in SAS Business and SAS Plus but are for sale in SAS Go.