The pandemic changed the way people live their lives including travel. Now that travel is slowly coming back, airline food and beverage is making its slow comeback too. Airline food and drinks were out during the pandemic to avoid people from taking off their masks.
However, airlines are working on strategies to return both food and drinks. Alaska Airlines is one of those airlines that resumed serving dinners. But if travelers want the return of airline food and drinks, airlines need to prioritize safety.
In December, the Federal Aviation Administration came up with a comprehensive national strategy for the US air transport system. Though there are recommended strategies to prevent the spread of COVID, details such as cleaning and ventilation were left on airlines.
FAA’s Opinion on Airline Food and Drinks
The FAA also recommended that airlines either “limit or discontinue food and beverage service on short-haul flights”. Their reason for this recommendation is to “encourage continuous mask use when possible”. However, “If food or drink is provided, it must be dispensed in a sealed, prepackaged container”.
This means that there is elbow room in which airlines can work on how to interpret these recommendations. Some airlines have eliminated alcohol service while others are gradually bringing wine and beer back. Then, some have resumed hot meals while others stick with packaged snacks.
Some airlines have offered apps to limit human interaction whenever a passenger is ordering food. United is one of those airlines that only accept contactless payments. The passenger will need to store their credit card info before departure on the United app’s digital wallet or website. The flight attendant will then confirm your information. United is also the first airline to offer economy ticket holders the ability to preorder both snacks and drinks.
Working with Consultants
Airlines hired consultants to establish the safest health protocols on board. Delta worked with Mayo Clinic to come with food-service changes. Delta also offered changes including digital menus accessible via QR code.
Hot meals have returned in Delta around mid-June. However, it is limited only to first-class passengers on selected routes. Delta senior vice president of in-flight service Kristen Manion Taylor said that “We’re doing everything to be safer for customers”. She added that “Reducing touchpoints allows for swift service, which is safer for customers and employees”.
