Signs of civilization: Delta Air Lines is flirting with the idea of bringing back free meals in coach class on long domestic flights.
A test of the idea, on its transcontinental service between New York and California, was done Nov. 1-Dec. 15. Its morning passengers got a breakfast sandwich or "breakfast medley." Its afternoon passengers got a turkey combo or veggie wrap. That's in addition to free snacks.
It's hardly white linen and sterling silver, but a sandwich is a sandwich.
For years, coach passengers' only option on long domestic flights has been to bring their own food or buy expensive on-board fare. But New York to Los Angeles nonstop flights take 6{ hours, as long as many international flights. Detroit to Los Angeles flights take 5{ hours. And airlines know that a hungry passenger is not a happy passenger.
The airline will use the results and customer feedback to determine whether to scrap, permanently implement or expand the idea.
