United abandons transatlantic BOB plans

Published: 03/09/2008 - Filed under: News »

Print
Send

Negative customer feedback has prompted United to cancel plans to trial BOB (buy on board) in-flight meals across the Atlantic.

From October 1, the US carrier was intending to scrap free food in economy class for flights between Washington’s Dulles airport and Europe. Passengers flying major routes from Washington DC such as those to London Heathrow, Paris CDG and Frankfurt would have had to pay extra for in-flight meals.

But in an email sent today to its frequent flyers, United’s chief customer officer, Graham Atkinson, writes, “Thank you for your direct and candid feedback. We heard you and have decided not to move forward with the test on certain transatlantic flights. We will continue to offer complimentary hot meals on those flights.”

However United says it will proceed with plans to test new and complimentary options for United business class passengers on domestic routes.

These start on October 1 covering 16 daily three-class flights and will feature fresh sandwiches, snacks and so on depending on the length of flight and time of day. The results of the test will be evaluated at the end of the year.

United stresses that full meals will continue to be served on its P.S. (premium service) domestic transcontinental flights.

For more information go to united.com.

Report by Alex McWhirter

Jurys Inn to open Sheffield property 21/11/2008

Jurys Inn will open its latest hotel in Sheffield in January, a 259-room property which will become the largest hotel in the city — full story »

Jet Airways update 21/11/2008

Jet Airways is dropping several under-performing routes in a bid to restore profitability — full story »

BA launches "miles for delays" promotion 20/11/2008

British Airways is currently offering Executive Club members 5,000 bonus miles if their flight from Heathrow or Gatwick is delayed by more than 15 minutes — full story »