Can’t Even Buy A Meal

July 10, 2008

in Food & Drink Stories

We flew to Hawaii to attend our son’s wedding on American Airlines. Since the flight home was over 7 hours, we decided it would make sense to purchase the sandwiches that used to be free. We were seated in row 40, so when the flight attendant got back to us, she informed us with a smile that there were no sandwiches left to purchase. We were incredulous. None….can we get some pretzels or something? No, they don’t do that anymore. She smiled and said, “They’re always doing this to us. You might want to write a complaint to aa.com.” She never said she was sorry. Luckily I had some trail mix in my purse which was the only food we ate during that long flight. What were they thinking? We paid over $1000.00 apiece for our tickets, and we cannot get any food; even food we have to buy?

We will not fly unless we absolutely have to. It is too stressful, too much of a hassle; it’s an ordeal that we pay exorbitant amounts of money for.

{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

Matt April 2, 2009 at 2:27 pm

Hardly a flight from hell. Ok, so there should have been food. There wasn't. I doubt anyone will starve to death on any flight to Hawaii. Common sense would dictate that when you are going to fly on a long flight, you get something to eat before you fly, and you carry some snacks with you if possibly being without food will be an inconvenience.

Could the airline have done a better job? Sure. Ultimately, though, the responsibility lies with the passenger in this case for being unprepared. Not even remotely a horror story.

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anon e mouse April 2, 2009 at 2:48 pm
dulcimoo April 2, 2009 at 4:07 pm

No. While not a flight from hell … the airline should have enough supplies. When meals were FREE they usually had extra! The airline messed up. Yes it's a good idea to bring supplies but that does not get AA off in this case.

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robby April 2, 2009 at 5:33 pm

wah. you didn't get a sandwich.

Next time plan better?

I agree with Matt: if you knew there was going to be no complimentary meal, you should have prepared for the worst. They're not fully-stocked cafes, you know.

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Paul April 8, 2009 at 9:26 am

i realized that yes, flying is more stressful now days. i am totally with you on that..i attempt to accomodate myself – just in case. for example, i will try to get closer to the front as possible – on any airline, they either run out of food or you dont have a choice on what food is left by the time they reach you in the back. also – buy big bottles of water at the airport and put it in your bag in case if you need to use them ( flight delay on the taxi way or whatever…the food service is improving VERY slowly. i remember when they were free and plenty of good food…we need to deal with ourselves with the unexpected.

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Sharon April 8, 2009 at 6:25 pm

Your son got married on American Airlines?

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chrisdanger April 11, 2009 at 4:38 am

Another reason AA has lost my business. They've forgotten who keeps them flying. They're no better than a flying greyhound bus IMHO.

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devon April 11, 2009 at 10:10 am

Thats crap. I don't fly at all anymore. I take Amtrack, yes it takes FOREVER but its way cheaper & cooler. I of course have to fly internationally, but that's not that often

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paul April 11, 2009 at 5:18 pm

devon – if you were to goto hawaii, how would you get there?

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Nathaniel Webb April 16, 2009 at 7:09 am

Next time take a cruise to Hawaii, the foods better anywy.

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Jen May 10, 2009 at 5:33 pm

There's plenty of eating options at the airport. There's also plenty of snacks to be purchased at the airport.

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Mike May 17, 2009 at 4:27 am

Fly Hawaiian, they will serve you a hot meal even in coach and the staff is very friendly.

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Atari May 30, 2009 at 10:11 pm

I didn't read any other person's comment, but if anyone said, "You're being a bit haughty about wanting the stewardess to specifically say, 'I'm sorry,'"

then I agree with you.

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SAW June 6, 2009 at 7:32 pm

Wait… You paid $1000 for coach tickets to Hawaii? THAT'S what you should be complaining about – not the lack of food. I can get to New Zealand for less than that.

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SamH June 29, 2009 at 3:34 pm

To avoid hypoglycemia, always carry a protein bar in your carry-on bag. If you look at any large grocery store, discounter or chain drug store, you will will find a pretty good selection in different flavors. Some of them taste like cardboard and look even worse, but being on a long flight without any nourishment is definitely worse. It is a $5 that is well spent.

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Hawaiian October 29, 2009 at 4:22 pm

Two problems that I have with your story:

1. Who pays $1,000 for a coach seat to Hawaii?

2. It's your responsibility to either feed yourself prior to the flight or purchase some snack items from the dozens of retailers in the gate area at HNL. No where on your airline ticket does it say that American Airlines guarantees you a meal.

I think this person is one of the big problems with air travel these days. People look for a reason to complain. Let me ask you this… Did the plane leave on-time? Did you have a seat and access to a lavatory? Did you arrive safely? Did you get your bags at your final destination? If you answered yes to these four questions, quit your b!tching…

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Mark December 2, 2009 at 8:22 am

Hawaiian, you have no idea.

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Hawaiian December 2, 2009 at 8:39 am

Mark:

I live in Honolulu and fly to the mainland at least once a month… What don't I have an idea about? The fact that you over paid for your airline ticket(s) or the fact that you didn't buy a couple of bags of M&M's from the many stores in the HNL terminal? Did you make it to your final destination? Did you get your bags?

I my mind, a flight from hell is when you are screaming down the runway for takeoff and the pilot decides to abort at the last minute, or being booked on a 20 minute flight to Maui and actually arriving there 4 hours later because of mechanical issues.

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