For people flying coach, economy, or even basic economy, airlines have conditioned passengers to have very limited expectations. If you fly with a lower-tier ticket on the full-fare airlines including United, Delta, and American you may not get a seat assignment and certainly can't expect extras like meals and snacks.
The big airlines have made their cheapest tickets essentially copies of Spirit (SAVE) -) and Frontier Airlines which use an a la carte model. Basically, your ticket gets you on the plane and everything else costs extra.
Related: Southwest Airlines brings back its biggest free flight offer
That's a model that works for the airlines because it allows them to advertise low fares. In theory, you could fly on a basic economy ticket without spending extra. That would mean boarding in the last group, getting your seat assignment at the gate, and not bringing a bag bigger than a purse.
In reality, people who buy tickets at the lowest price know they're going to spend more. They get to pick and choose what services or products matter to them, but almost every person buying a super budget fare has to spend more than the advertised price.
People who pay for first-class seats, however, expect better. They don't always get it and an American Airlines (AAL) -) policy says that they're not actually entitled to it.
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Image source: American Airlines
American Airlines shares a policy you won't like
When a passenger books a first class ticket on a flight that's three hours or longer, they expect not only a larger seat, but also meals, drinks, and snacks. It's reasonable to think you will get handed a glass of champagne, or the drink of your choice, served in a real glass when you get onboard.
Those are the expectations passengers have, but they're not always the reality they experience on their flight. A passenger on American Airlines flight AA2676, a 5:22 p.m. departure from Newark to Phoenix, which is a 2,133 miles leaving at dinner time, learned that the hard way, according to View From the Wing.
After the flight, the passenger contacted the airline because no food was served. The airline, apologized, but made it clear that food was a courtesy and not actually something passengers pay for.
American Airlines sent the passenger the following note:
I know you were hungry and, I'm sorry to hear you're disappointed that you didn't receive a meal on your flight. Complimentary food service is offered in our First Class cabin on all itineraries system-wide that operate within traditional meal windows (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and have a fly time of more than 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Our ticket price reflects the cost of transportation. Any meals and snacks served on our flights are considered complimentary conveniences.
The flight did meet the stated requirements, but food was not served. The airline was apologetic and gave the passenger 15,000 bonus frequent flyer miles, but the more troubling issue is the idea that anything beyond transportation is considered a courtesy and not part of your ticket.
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"Airlines are, in fact, selling ‘carriage’ from Point A to Point B. Meals and beverages are, in fact, amenities. Always have been, always will be," Jimbo posted in the comments section of the story.
American's policy is not unique
American Airlines is not alone in making it clear in the fine print of its contract that a ticket only entitles a passenger to conveyance between points, not anything else.
"Any ancillary service or amenity, including but not limited to live television, Wi-Fi services, priority boarding, advance seat assignments, and meal service, are not guaranteed," United Airlines shared in its Contract of Carriage.
Delta Air Lines (DAL) -), however, does not cover what happens in the event it does not serve a meal to first-class passengers on qualifying flights. The company does lay out its first-class meal policy on its website.
"On flights between 900-2,299 miles and select departure times, you can enjoy a chef-curated breakfast, lunch or dinner along with a selection of snacks. For flights 2,300 miles and over, you’ll find a fresh meal service 24 hours a day and a selection of snacks," the airline shared.
