Getting Passengers to want to buy airlines food

Found in Seattle Post Intelligencer on April 14, 2010

The article that I chose to read was about the lack of food sales for airlines.  It mentions that airlines are trying to make a stronger effort to make more desired meal choices for individuals on airplanes.  With the lack of purchasing of airline foods, many companies are losing an entire market.  Individuals know the reputation of airline food and have been purchasing food from chains before getting on board.  The article described the consumption of airline food as cause and effect.  Once airlines started to charge for in flight meals, passengers then resorted to purchasing meals from chain companies within airports.  In addition, airports are able to raise prices for their food because people are given limited options.  The commonality of such a purchasing habit has reached the airline companies.  Some companies have been attempting to make drastic efforts.  The article mentioned that Virgin Airline's has even added an Absinthe and Sprite cocktail to their drink cart.  People appreciate the most minor of things when it comes to air travel, like if they can receive a seat assignment in advance, and if there are an array of drinks offered.  People with children would most likely choose an airline that offers quality food at an affordable price opposed to running around the airport before the flight in a hurry.  American Airlines recently has been collaborating with Boston Market in attempts to provide airline passengers with a more desirable in flight meal.  

The future of food on airplanes seems to be brighter than its dark past.  In the future, it appears that more options will be offered to passengers.  The airline companies have begun to realize that they are missing out on a large market.  Their revenues would greatly increase with the evolution of edible and desirable foods on planes.  If it means collaborating with bigger American food companies such as Boston Market to obtain a share in the airplane food market, then it should be done.  Passengers will feel more comfortable eating the foods on airplanes from known American companies opposed to a boxed good, with no food label, and some airline company logo.     

http://blog.seattlepi.com/aerospace/archives/201833.asp?from=blog_last3