Why Airline Menus Are Getting A Major Upgrade
The airline industry has a made a major comeback. To continue on the course correction airline menus are also getting a huge upgrades.
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Global airlines are bracing for an expected loss of $9.7 billion this year, which is a major improvement from last year’s loss of $42.1 billion. The Internation Air Transport Association (IATA) is hoping to make a comeback in the profits category next year. In an effort to gain sales and airline ticket purchases, many airlines are taking additional steps to up the quality and types of airline menu options customers may choose while on the flight.
As airlines continue to face some challenges with supply, CNBC is reporting this is not stopping the rollout of new airline menu items and options. This includes an upgrade to ready-to-drink alcohol options now readily available in most US coach seating. With the Covid pandemic being, for the most part, behind us, face masks are becoming optional, which removes any obstacles to onboard beverage and food services. The improved airline menus include everything from ice cream sundaes to vegan meatballs. An overwhelming amount of videos are circling the web as airline passengers post online reviews of the new airline menu meals, plating, and friendliness of the crew services. The founder of travel consulting firm Atmosphere Research Group, Henry Harteveldt says, “Food is one of the most tangible signals of what an airline thinks of its customers.”
A newly revamped airline menu is not the top reason why travelers choose a certain airline carrier. This is typically determined based on scheduling and pricing but it can be a creator of comfort during long flight times and win over the hearts and stomachs of passengers. For example, Delta Airlines is offering an airline menu item of sundae-in-a-cup that comes premixed with cherries, chocolate, and bischoff cookies.
The kickoff of the Covid pandemic put a stop to the majority of the beverage of food services offered on flights as airlines limited contact between the crews and airline customers to avoid any potential spreading of the virus. The Covid pandemic drove airlines to all-time record losses and caused the cutback of airline menu options while on the flight. Better airline menu items can boost an airline’s image and reputation which in return will draw in more high-paying customers.
Business and first-class customers are becoming a huge prize to airlines as they attempt to recover from the financial impact of the Covid pandemic. An airline’s menu of beverage and food options makes up about 3% of a full-service airline company’s expenses. While typically the airline menu options are only for sale in domestic coach cabins and complimentary on long-distance international flights, most of the new airline menu items are being developed specifically for the premium class customers where the service can be more elaborate with fewer passengers for the airline crews to serve.
We all know airplane food has been a favorite punch line for comedians for years, and now, thanks to the latest airline menu options, should become a thing of the past. The latest airline menu items are focusing on the “wow” factor and truly raise the bar to match the altitude of the airline!
