TOKYO February 25, 2013: Japan Airlines will offer a new lineup of Japanese cheese for First and Executive Class customers on select international routes from March 1, 2013.

As an airline established in Japan, we hope to promote the excellence of Japanese cheese to our customers. An assortment of 16 types of cheese have been chosen for months up to August-offering five types in First Class and three in Executive, with a change in selection at the end of May.(See list of cheese, dates available and applicable routes

In First Class, customers can also choose to simply enjoy the rich flavor of the different types of cheese available, savor a specific type with a complementing snack.

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — American Airlines today announced its entree reservations program, becoming the first domestic airline to offer premium class customers the opportunity to review menu options and pre-select their desired meal prior to their flight’s departure.

“Our entree reservations program is another example of our desire to personalize the travel experience for our customers in our premium cabin,” said Rob Friedman, American’s Vice President – Marketing. “We are sharply focused on investing in innovative products and new technologies as part of our continued effort to provide industry leading experiences as we build the new American.”

The entree reservations program gives First and Business Class customers traveling on flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and flights between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) the option to select their onboard meal in advance of travel, ensuring customers receive their preferred entree choice.

On Nov. 15, the entree reservations program will also be available on all flights between JFK and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), as well as flights between Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and LAX; ORD and LGA; and DFW and LAX. In addition, American plans to expand the program to all domestic flights by the first quarter of 2013 and to all international flights by the second quarter of 2013.

Once a flight is ticketed, premium class customers can simply go to AA.com between 30 days and 24 hours prior to the flight’s departure to make their selection via the “View Reservation” page. There customers can click on “Entree Reservations” to enter the “Entree Reservations” portal. On this portal, the customer first chooses their eligible flight segment and then selects the desired entree for that segment. To provide added flexibility, customers have the option to select, change or view their entree reservations within the 30 days to 24 hours prior to departure.

Link: aa.com

TOKYO August 23, 2012: Japan Airlines (JAL) will be refreshing a part of its lineup of in-flight meals onboard most international routes from September 1, 2012 with new creations designed in collaboration with several reputable Japanese food companies as the airline continues to introduce the distinctive food culture of Japan to its customers.

Japanese Cheese in First and Executive Class
Following the renewal of its onboard wine list earlier this year, JAL began offering the fine quality of Japanese cheese from March this year to First and Executive Class customers on most of its long-haul international flights.

Come September, JAL will introduce a new array of Japan-made cheese with unique flavors such as those from the yeast of miso (fermented mixture of rice, barley and/or soybeans) and sake (Japanese rice wine). JAL invites customers to discover the excellence of Japanese cheese by sampling the assortment offered onboard, and matching it with various western wines, Japanese rice wines, and other suitable alcoholic beverages.

Special Bento Box from Haneda to San Francisco, Bangkok & Singapore
In collaboration with Smiles Co., Ltd.’s premier food franchise, Soup Stock Tokyo, JAL will be serving up a hearty breakfast called NORIBEN in Premium Economy and Economy Class, onboard flights departing Tokyo (Haneda) bound for San Francisco, Bangkok and Singapore.

Nori (dried seaweed), known for its curative properties since ancient times and an indispensable ingredient in Japanese cuisine, is the focus of this healthy and easy-to-eat meal served with steamed rice in a typical Japanese style lunch box (bento). Using top-rated seaweed from Mikawa, Aichi and complemented with bonito flakes from Makurazaki, Kagoshima, NORIBEN is served with appetizing side dishes; grilled salmon, whitebait and chikuwa (a Japanese food product made from broiling or steaming a paste made mainly from fish meat) will be available in the coming months of September to November, while grilled chicken and fried burdock will be served between December and February next year.

AIR SERIES – AIR TAIMEIKEN and AIR YOSHINOYA
For the sixth installation of JAL’s AIR SERIES – a string of tie-ups with popular Japanese restaurants to recreate their signature dishes for in-flight meals, the airline has partnered well-known western restaurant Taimeiken in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. Established in 1931, Taimeiken serves a wide variety of western-style dishes and is most well-known for its Dandelion Omelet Rice – an all-time favorite meal that was developed independently in Japan.

Under the supervision of Chef Hiroshi Modegi, AIR TAIMEIKEN was perfected after rounds of trial and error to find the best cooking method, packaging, meal presentation etc., to reproduce the tastiness and texture of the fluffy omelet dish when served onboard. Onboard, the omelet and rice with chicken slices are served separately. When ready to eat, it is recommended to place the omelet over the rice and to cut it down the middle so it flaps open over the rice, looking like a soft yellow dandelion flower. Garnish it with peas and ketchup and it is all set to be savored.

In addition, Air Yoshinoya will be making a comeback on JAL’s daily flight from Los Angeles to Narita. The JAL Original version of popular Japanese food chain Yoshinoya’s traditional beef bowl was the third installation of the AIR SERIES first served onboard outbound Japan flights to select international destinations earlier this year.

Packaged to be served thousands of feet up in the air and in the lower humidity in the passenger cabin, the beef is kept separate from the rice and comes with more sauce to retain the succulence of the beef bowls served in Yoshinoya shops. In First Class, customers will be served with actual china that has the JAL brand logo mark incorporated into the design of Yoshinoya’s trademark bowl.

AIR TAIMEIKEN and AIR YOSHINOYA will be served in Premium Economy and Economy Class during the second meal service of the flights, and will be available to First and Executive Class customers anytime during the flight as part of the “Anytime You Wish*” service.

JAL aims to be its customers’ favorite airline of all times, and is committed to continue coming up with original, refreshing and quality products and services that will meet their needs.

Summary of latest meal services:

*Anytime You Wish service: First and Executive Class customers may choose from a variety of Japanese and Western dishes anytime they wish after the first meal service.

“Austrian airlines is part of a growing number of airlines who are providing passengers with the option to pre order and pay for a premium dining option in economy class. Whilst not the first they are certainly making it more convenient for passengers to pre order meals by introducing new innovations in the passenger experience as well as providing excellent meal choices for passengers.

In the last 12-18 months we have seen a sizable increase in the number of airlines offering economy class passengers pre order A La Carte meals. Only last week US Airways announced a tie up with Air Meals to offer several pre order meal options ex Philadelphia and Charlotte to over 24 destinations worldwide making them the only American based carrier to offer such services to their international passengers. In Canada Westjet is trialing pre order meals ex Toronto on flights of 2.5 hours or longer to 35 destinations, and within the USA Delta has its’ offering of the DineUp pre order meal options on select transcontinental services across the USA.

Austrian airlines offering includes new innovations the first being that meals are not only available ex Vienna they are also available ex New York. Many other pre order long haul offerings only allow passengers to pre order from the airlines home port, allowing the airline to control the product and the quality. By using DO & CO Austrian is able to control the quality in both ports as the catering provider has stations in both cities, something that some other airlines can not offer at the moment.

But of course the most innovative part is the convenience for passengers. Since moving into the Star Alliance Terminal on June 5 passengers can pre order their meals at a dedicated DO & CO A La Carte desk which is open from 05:30 to 22:30 everyday. (Hawaiian followed suit on 1 August introducing the “Ho’okipa Desk” in departure lounges, where passengers can pre-order premium meals, snacks or entertainment systems before they board their flight) Last Minute Orders for Austrian flights can be placed until 1 hour prior to scheduled departure from Vienna airport, the order is then sent to the catering facility at the airport. Meals are cooked on the day of departure and Austrian Airlines pride themselves on providing excellent quality and superior freshness. For those who want to pre-order their meals they can do so on the dedicated website http://alacarte.doco.com “

Source: US Airways

TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –

US Airways (NYSE:LCC) continues to enhance its customers’ in-flight experience with the introduction of DineFresh, a premium meal option in Economy that allows customers to treat themselves when flying internationally to Europe, the Middle East and South America starting today. The new premium choice enhances the airline’s current complimentary meal offerings. In addition, the airline is also introducing several new items to US Airways MarketPlace, its selection of snacks, meals and beverages available for purchase on domestic and international flights.

“The new DineFresh meal option, which is paired with complimentary wine, gives our customers more choices when traveling internationally in Economy,” said Hector Adler, vice president, InFlight Services. “With this new option, US Airways becomes the first U.S.-based carrier to offer a premium meal experience for customers in the main cabin.”

US Airways’ new DineFresh program allows customers to choose from either a vegetarian meal consisting of a Caprese salad with balsamic dressing, Portobello mushroom tortellini, Mediterranean-style appetizer and turtle cheesecake for dessert or a protein meal consisting of citrus-marinated chicken skewers, seasonal grilled vegetables, classic shrimp cocktail and creme brulee cheesecake for dessert.

The premium entree, which is priced at $19.99, must be purchased at least 24 hours prior to the flight. Customers traveling on flights where DineFresh meals are offered will be notified in advance via email as to their availability and can visit the following page to order: dinefresh.usairways.com.

As part of a refresh of its MarketPlace offerings, US Airways is adding Shock Top, a Belgian-style wheat ale with a hint of orange, to its list of beers, which already includes Beck’s, Budweiser and Bud Light. A sparkling wine option is also being added on select trans-Atlantic flights. Beer, wine and spirits are available for $7 each, Stirrings premium cocktail mixers are available for $8 each and sparkling wine is available for $9 each.

Also new to the airline’s MarketPlace Menu are three tasty snacks: Brent and Sam’s Chocolate Chip Cookies, made with all natural ingredients and no preservatives for $3 each, Emerald Whole Cashews, featuring no trans fats and zero cholesterol for $3 each and The Original Chex Mix, a party favorite for over 50 years, for $3.49 each. Food options range from $3 for snacks to $8 for fresh meals. Based on customer input, the airline is also adding the popular spicy cherry soda, Pibb Xtra®, to its complimentary line-up of sparkling Coca-Cola beverages.

Starting today, all international flights operated by US Airways will only accept credit and debit cards for onboard purchases. This change is consistent with domestic US Airways flights that went to a convenient cashless system in 2010. US Airways Express flights will remain cash only.

For more information on the products offered within US Airways MarketPlace, please visit usairways.com/marketplace.

Source: American Airlines

FORT WORTH, Texas, July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — American Airlines continues plans to enhance and modernize travel with today’s announcement of customer-pleasing interiors onboard its more than 200 new narrowbody deliveries from Airbus and Boeing – these are a part of the previously announced order for 460 new aircraft.

“We intend to be the only airline to offer a three-class service and the first to offer fully lie-flat First and Business Class seats on transcontinental flights with our Airbus A321 transcontinental aircraft,” said Virasb Vahidi, American’s Chief Commercial Officer. “By using the A321 aircraft with three classes of service and outfitted with fully lie-flat premium class seats, all-aisle access in First Class, and state-of-the-art amenities, we will be able to continue providing an industry-leading premium experience on transcontinental routes, while significantly reducing costs through improved fuel efficiency.”

As previously announced, American plans to take delivery of 130 current generation Airbus aircraft from the A321 and A319 variants and up to 100 Boeing 737-800s through 2017. American plans to configure some of the A321s for use on transcontinental flights and intends to use the remaining A321s, as well as all of the A319s and new Boeing 737-800s to retire aging aircraft in its existing fleet.

Designed in partnership with James Park Associates (JPA), the overall design, trim and finish of these aircraft will reflect the look and feel of the new American and will complement the interior design scheme of the airline’s highly anticipated Boeing 777-300ERs and redesigned 777-200ERs to provide customers with a more consistent experience between aircraft types.

In addition to modern interiors, these aircraft will also keep customers connected with inflight Wi-Fi throughout the aircraft; entertained with in-seat entertainment at every seat; and fully charged with individual 110-volt universal AC power outlets and USB jacks at every seat. Plus, Main Cabin Extra seating, installed on all new deliveries beginning in August 2012 on the Boeing 737-800, will offer the option of more legroom and priority boarding privileges.

All of these new deliveries also incorporate the latest improvements to reduce fuel burn which helps American continue on the path toward reducing its carbon footprint.

A321 Transcontinental
The First Class cabin will be outfitted with 10 fully lie-flat seats in a 1-1 configuration, giving every seat direct aisle access – a feature that no other domestic airline offers. Customers can individually adjust any component of the fully lie-flat seat, designed by Sicma, including the seat back, head rest and leg rest. The seats feature a large tray table and work surface and an individual storage unit for stowing personal items. Seat controls have a more intuitive design for optimum customer comfort and simplicity.

The Business Class cabin will be outfitted with 20 fully lie-flat seats, designed by BE, in a 2-2 configuration. In the Main Cabin the seats will be designed by Recaro and arranged in a 3-3 configuration. The option to enjoy more legroom is available with 36 Main Cabin Extra seats and the aircraft also offers 36 Main Cabin seats. More details about the Business Class and Main Cabin seats will be provided at a later date.

To ensure customers traveling from coast to coast have access to the latest in inflight entertainment, American plans to outfit the entire aircraft with seat-to-seat chat, live text news and weather updates, 3-D moving maps, airport maps, connecting gate information, and more.

For customers traveling in the premium class cabins, a complimentary inflight entertainment selection of up to 75 movies, more than 150 TV programs, more than 350 audio selections and up to 15 games will be available on a 15.4-inch HD-capable touchscreen monitor positioned in each seat. Bose® QuietComfort® 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headsets will be available.

In the Main Cabin, every seatback will have an 8.9-inch HD-capable touchscreen monitor with an assortment of movies, TV programs, games and audio selections.

American intends to take delivery of these aircraft beginning in November 2013 through 2014. The A321 transcontinental aircraft will replace American’s existing fleet of Boeing 767-200s and fly between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and JFK and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

A321, A319 and Boeing 737-800
The remaining A321s, as well as all of the A319s and 100 Boeing 737-800 new deliveries, will enrich the inflight experience with modern technology and entertainment options for customers traveling throughout the United States.

American intends to replace its fleet of domestic Boeing 757-200s and MD-80s with A321s, A319s and Boeing 737-800s – all with leather seats, Wi-Fi and in-seat inflight entertainment throughout the aircraft. These aircraft will have a two-class cabin configuration, Main Cabin Extra seating and 110-volt universal AC power outlets at every seat.

Similar to the innovative inflight entertainment capabilities of the A321 transcontinental aircraft, American also plans to give customers onboard these aircraft access to seat-to-seat chat, weather updates, 3-D moving maps, airport maps, connecting gate information and more.

For customers traveling in the First Class cabin, a complimentary inflight entertainment selection of up to 75 movies, more than 150 TV programs, more than 350 audio selections and up to 15 games will be available on a 12.1-inch HD-capable touchscreen monitor positioned in each seat. Customers in the Main Cabin will also enjoy an assortment of movies, TV programs, games and audio selections on 8.9-inch HD-capable touchscreen monitors in each seat.

These aircraft will be delivered beginning with the A319s in July 2013, followed by the Boeing 737-800s in October 2013 and the A321s in the second quarter of 2014. American is still evaluating the specific markets these aircraft will serve.

American’s new narrowbody deliveries are part of a series of investments the airline is making to renew its fleet and an integral piece of the plan to transform it into the youngest fleet among the major U.S. airlines in the next five years. For example, in May American announced plans to redesign its fleet of 777-200ERs to offer fully lie-flat Business Class seats with all-aisle access, Main Cabin Extra seating, Wi-Fi and in-seat entertainment throughout the aircraft. American also announced plans to refresh up to half of its fleet of 767-300ERs to include fully lie-flat Business Class seats with all-aisle access and Main Cabin Extra seating. American also has orders for 10 Boeing 777-300ERs that are anticipated for delivery beginning later this year.

American’s fleet renewal efforts serve to modernize and enhance the fleet in order to emerge from the restructuring process a stronger, new American. For more information on American’s aircraft investments, including the latest details of the narrowbody fleet, visit www.AA.com/NewPlanes.

Maintaining an unwavering commitment to excellence, British Airways has gone to great lengths to develop a culinary program that serves delicious meals to passengers in all flight classes. To this end the airline has launched Height Cuisine, a program that takes into account the environmental factors of altitude, air pressure and humidity into the menu creation process. Chefs helm recipe development, working with experts from wine advisors to cheesemongers to develop delicious, well-balanced in-flight meals.

“At British Airways, we know that dining at altitude can have a dramatic impact on our senses,” says menu design manager Sinead Ferguson, describing the company’s culinary mission. “With the atmosphere being so dry in the pressurized cabin, the ability to smell and taste can be reduced by up to 30%. So Height Cuisine is basically the approach British Airways is taking to understand how we can provide great-tasting food and drink on board our flights.”

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