airline meals?

[nibot]

I notice on my United Airlines flight booking, it says on all of the flights: "meal: food to purchase". Does this mean that UAL has gone the way of Ryan Airlines in selling food instead of the usual meal service? I have to say, that rather sucks. I would have requested a different airline had I known...

Google reveals "most major airlines cut complimentary food in coach to reduce costs in the wake of the events of September 11, 2001." Really? There was meal service on American and British Airways over the summer...

(I actually like airline food. I think it's because I'm usually starving by the time it's served, and because the portions are small enough that I don't get tired of it. That, and food on European airlines isn't nearly as scary as that on American carriers... once on United there were green spiders in my salad!)

edit: BTW, anyone have a list of airlines with reciprocal frequent-flyer-mileage programs with United?

edit2: Anyone know anything about the airline ATA? I haven't heard of them before.

Comments

Re:

[kaolinfire.livejournal.com]

Have ticket costs gone down any since they stopped giving "free" food (that you paid for in the price of your ticket?)

Re:

[rebbyribs.livejournal.com]

I don't think so. But United is usually the cheapest (or close to it) option for flying, and I'd prefer that to the food. I used to fly Southwest when it was cheaper, even though they don't give you food either.