American Airlines ends meal service on short flights

An American Airlines passenger in first class makes a last-minute check of his Blackberry before takeoff at Miami International Airport. The airline will only serve meals to first- and business class passengers on flights longer than two hours and 45 minutes, starting Sept. 1.

By Hugo MartínStaff Writer

Aug. 5, 2014 9:37 AM PT

Don’t get on a short American Airlines flight on an empty stomach.

The Texas-based carrier will stop serving free meals to first- and business-class passengers on flights shorter than two hours and 45 minutes, beginning Sept. 1.

American Airlines now serves full meals on flights longer than two hours.

The change is part of American Airlines’ plans to merge with US Airways and adopt consistent policies. US Airways previously had only served full meals on flights longer than three hours and 30 minutes. In April, US Airways reduced that time to two hours and 45 minutes.

The airlines will continue to serve snacks such as fig bars, pretzels, fruit and cookies on shorter flights.

Passengers in the economy sections can buy meals on flights longer than two hours and 45 minutes.

“We have to make sure our customers have a consistent experience no matter what airline they choose,” said American Airlines spokesman Casey Norton.

Some popular flights that are in the air for less than two hours and 45 minutes, such as Chicago to New York, will be exempt from the policy, he said.

More details can be found at this website.

To read more about travel, tourism and the airline industry, follow me on Twitter at @hugomartin.