The NY Times reports the following drastic cuts in in-flight services. Does anybody have any additional information on this? I especially like the elimination of all glassware. Wine in plastic cups will really make for a classy operation in Envoy...
Along with winning wage and benefit cuts, US Airways has begun cutting costs extensively throughout its operations. In the coming year, it plans to reduce spending on food and beverage service on its flights by 25 percent, according to a memorandum that was distributed to members of the airline''s flight crews.
What is crystal clear is that we are in a tough position with our goal of emerging from bankruptcy at the end of the first quarter, the memo said. To assist in achieving this goal, cost savings measures have been announced. One of the most impacted areas is our on-board levels of service.
The memo said that US Airways passengers ranked in-flight food service as the fourth most important priority in choosing a carrier, behind personal attention, a frustration-free experience, and reliable flight schedules.
Specifically, the memo said US Airways would eliminate meal tray service on all transcontinental flights, and would serve only sandwiches aboard flights lasting more than 3 hours and 15 minutes, the memo said.
International passengers will still receive hot meals. But by April, the airline plans to eliminate glassware on all its flights.
Among other amenities that have already been discontinued are printed menus for passengers on cross-country flights, along with souvenir pilots'' wings for young passengers, the memo said. Mr. Castelveter said he was not familiar with the memo, but said the airline was focusing on reducing its costs wherever possible.
Along with winning wage and benefit cuts, US Airways has begun cutting costs extensively throughout its operations. In the coming year, it plans to reduce spending on food and beverage service on its flights by 25 percent, according to a memorandum that was distributed to members of the airline''s flight crews.
What is crystal clear is that we are in a tough position with our goal of emerging from bankruptcy at the end of the first quarter, the memo said. To assist in achieving this goal, cost savings measures have been announced. One of the most impacted areas is our on-board levels of service.
The memo said that US Airways passengers ranked in-flight food service as the fourth most important priority in choosing a carrier, behind personal attention, a frustration-free experience, and reliable flight schedules.
Specifically, the memo said US Airways would eliminate meal tray service on all transcontinental flights, and would serve only sandwiches aboard flights lasting more than 3 hours and 15 minutes, the memo said.
International passengers will still receive hot meals. But by April, the airline plans to eliminate glassware on all its flights.
Among other amenities that have already been discontinued are printed menus for passengers on cross-country flights, along with souvenir pilots'' wings for young passengers, the memo said. Mr. Castelveter said he was not familiar with the memo, but said the airline was focusing on reducing its costs wherever possible.
