Airline Upgrades Are Reaching Economy Passengers

Anna Hurley

Passengers at the rear of airplanes have had little to cheer for a long time, and the Justice Department’s recent inquiry into allegations of collusion between carriers to control capacity, and in that way fares, has done little to improve relations. Still, several carriers have quietly restored or added a few creature comforts in economy class.

In June, United Airlines began serving free beer and wine in economy class on transcontinental flights. The carrier is catching up with American Airlines, which restored free drinks in transcontinental economy in 2012, and Delta Air Lines, which did so in 2013.

In December, the low-cost carrier Norwegian Air will introduce service from three East Coast airports, including New York’s Kennedy Airport, to the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe that will include free Wi-Fi access.

Virgin America plans upgraded Wi-Fi service that will allow passengers to stream video on 10 new planes that are to begin operating in September. This upgrade also includes planes flying between San Francisco and Hawaii in November. Wi-Fi access will be free until a rate plan is established next year.

Service improvements reflect the industry’s newfound economic stability. “That whole experience of being broke caused these airlines to make a lot of changes, some of which they later concluded were smart changes and have maintained, such as bag fees, and some they had to do to get through the day,” said Seth Kaplan, managing partner of Airline Weekly. “Upgrading meals and drinks again recognizes that there are things people will put up with on a two- to three-hour flight that they don’t want to put up with on a long-haul flight.”

Even some of the unbundled options, like food, show signs of being upgraded. This month United introduced the chef-designed Bistro on Board menus. Dishes include chicken chorizo scrambled eggs ($9.99) and sliced sirloin baguette sandwich ($9.49) and are available on most flights lasting more than three and a half hours within North America.

By ELAINE GLUSAC

A version of this article appears in print on July 26, 2015, on page TR3 of the New York edition with the headline: Trending: Airline Upgrades to Reach Economy Passengers. Order Reprints| Today's Paper

What Are The Best Airlines For Economy Class Food?

Airplane Food – Economy Class

A phrase that brings to mind two completely different emotions, depending on whether you’re booked in economy class or Business/First class. In this article, I will explore the world of Economy Class dining at 36,000 feet.

Economy class aka cattle class, is obviously a traveler’s cheapest and most budget-oriented way to fly, and therefore the food is most likely going to reflect this. Airline meals in coach generally serve to break up your flight and provide some structure than to ‘tingle your tastebuds’.

Of course, this depends on the carrier. Budget airlines and short-haul (and even some long-haul) carriers will charge you for food, however, factoring a meal/snack into your ticket price, it still often works out cheaper than a national flag carrier, who may have a complimentary drink & snack service, and more lenient luggage rules, but will charge a lot more for a flight. Peculiarly, especially when traveling short-haul, one tends to find that the quality of food purchased on board a budget airline is often better than the free food on more expensive airlines.

On to long-haul. Whilst most carriers include a meal service (or perhaps even two) built into the price of the ticket, the quality can vary from airline to airline, and not necessarily reflective of the fare.

Through my years of travel in Economy Class, I have found that the best airline food tends to be offered by Asian carriers, and the worst by North American carriers. Middle Eastern Carriers vary… I would rate the food served in Economy Class most highly on Thai Airways and Singapore airlines.

Conclusion

Not to sound bashful of ‘cattle class’, but you get what you pay for; don’t expect gourmet when you go into a fast food outlet. Remember traveling is about getting from Point A to Point B, not moving from plate A on to plate B.

What are your favourite airlines in regards to food?

Let us know down below!

Faisal is the T.A.G. correspondent for the Middle East. @faisal_theyab

From http://thatairlineguy.com/ ,@ThatAirline

Economy Class Is Getting The Luxury Treatment

While economy class isn't as cozy as business or first, airlines are starting to offer more luxe amenities to the everyday traveler (probably to help us forget outrageous luggage fees or the fact our pretzels are no longer free, but I digress). In many instances, economy class is becoming a lifestyle experience in the sky.

For example, take Etihad Airways new couture uniforms launched in late December, designed by Milan-based couturier Ettore Bilotta. Featuring tones of chocolate brown, deep purple and burnt orange, the uniforms are made from 100% Italian wool and are meant to give a nod to a time when flying was glamorous.

Photo courtesy of Virgin America

If poorly poured well drinks and cheap wine in plastic cups aren't your thing, Virgin America is now offering craft bottle cocktails from Austin Cocktails. As the airline is a San Francisco company, it always focuses on showcasing local businesses through its food and beverage program, featuring the likes of Philz Coffee, 479° Popcorn, Krave Jerky, and 21st Amendment and Anchor Steam Breweries.

On Air France, everyone gets a taste of first class. Even economy passengers get a glass of bubbly (Lombard & Cie Brut Reference brut, to be exact), from the airline’s wine and Champagne list, which is hand-curated by Paolo Basso, named the world’s top sommelier in 2013.

Aeroflot brings the usually first-class amenity travel kits — including eyes masks, slippers and do-not-disturb stickers — to economy on flights longer than 8 hours.

Photo courtesy of EL AL Israel Airlines

And while it’s nothing new for airlines to incorporate chef-created menus into their dining programs, it’s typically reserved for higher-class passengers. However, on EL AL Israel Airlines all passengers are served dishes by celebrity chef Moshe Segev, who owns three Israeli restaurants and hosts a television cooking show, Segev Comes to Cook. Think meals like truffled sweet potato soup or a healthy salmon fillet with steamed rice and green beans served with boutique Israeli wines.

“Mai Tais” in economy provide a sip of Hawaiian culture. Photo courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines also features a chef-led program for economy class, with Chef Chai Chaowasaree’s pan-Asian menu featuring dishes like Hawaiian-style BBQ chicken with fresh mango salsa and fried rice.

Contributed by Jessica Festa ,http://roadwarriorvoices.com/

Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport