AMERICA WEST AIRLINES Want food while in flight? It'll cost you

The airline's prices range from $3 for a snack box up to $10 for a hot meal with dessert.
PHOENIX (AP) -- An America West Airlines experiment in selling meals aboard some of its flights could encourage other airlines to charge for food on their planes, too.
America West, the nation's eighth-largest carrier, will test a "Buy on Board" program starting Monday that allows passengers to buy meals costing from $3 to $10.
The Tempe-based carrier wants to find out if passengers are willing to pay cash for airline food. At least two other airlines -- Continental and Northwest -- are considering similar moves.
America West will initially sell the meals on about dozen flights a day for three weeks. If the experiment proves successful, the airline may begin selling meals on all flights longer than 21/2 hours, said spokeswoman Janice Monahan. The airline currently only serves meals on longer flights.
Options
The "Buy on Board" menu will include a $3 snack box packed with cheese, crackers, nuts, beef jerky and cookies or ice cream. More expensive meals, up to the $10 chicken Kiev with side dishes and dessert, will be offered.
"The program is designed to offset the cost of providing food, not to make a profit," Monahan said. "We're trying to meet customer needs without raising ticket prices."
America West reported its eighth straight quarterly loss in the fall of this year. But it's not the only airline to look at meals as a way to reduce expenses in a competitive environment.
Northwest Airlines spokesman Kurt Ebenhoch said the carrier also is studying the idea of selling food aboard its flights. Julie King, a spokeswoman for Continental Airlines, said the company is reviewing the idea and "figuring out what customers value and are willing to pay for."
Other airlines, including Southwest, United, Delta and American, said Thursday they have no immediate plans to begin selling food.
American Airlines spokeswoman Tara Baten said the carrier looked into the idea of selling food but determined it would be less expensive to continue its current food service, which cost the company $778 million in 2001.
Will it work?
Airline consultant Michael Boyd said America West should be given credit for trying to do things differently, but in the end, he doesn't think passengers will applaud the effort.
"It's a noble, worthwhile experiment," he said. "But I question whether it might send the wrong message and cheapen the experience."
Boyd said some airlines might jump at the chance to give away more food to attract America West customers.
Others said the effort could improve airplane food.
"When you start selling something, it's got to be better," said industry analyst Terry Trippler.
This is not the first time America West has tinkered with in-flight meals. After the Sept. 11 attacks, the airline briefly discontinued meals on all flights before resuming limited service in December 2001.