July 7, 2005
Its come down to the pretzels. Hoping to save money, bankrupt US Airways has told employees to stop handing out complimentary bags of pretzels to passengers in coach. The airline says it hopes to save $1 million a year with the move.
The pretzel announcement came in an internal company memo, which was instantly leaked to the news media. Fielding calls from business reporters, US Airways executives explained that focus group studies indicated passengers really didnt care much for pretzels, anyway. However, they say theyll still hand them out to coach passengers on trans-Atlantic flights.
For US Airways passengers, the food choices have dwindled away as the airline slid deeper into the financial abyss. Hot meals were the first to go. On trans-Atlantic flights, candy bars and other snacks are available, but passengers have to buy them at $3 a piece.
While some airlines have removed blankets and pillows from their planes in an economy move, US Airways continues to provide those creature comforts. And starting next month, hot meals will return for passengers in first class.
Meanwhile, the struggling airline may have to face the whole pretzel question again in the future, when it completes its merger with America West. Presumably, the two airlines would combine operations and adopt standard policies. At this point, at least, America West still provides pretzels to its passengers in coach.
