United to charge for meals on some overseas flights

United Airlines, in the latest attempt to curb losses caused by record-high fuel costs, will become the first U.S. airline to begin charging some passengers for meals on selected overseas flights.

The carrier will offer food for purchase on its flights to Europe originating from Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport, beginning on 1 October, noted a spokeswoman for the airline, Robin Urbanski.

This newest change extends the list of items that airlines are now charging for, which used to be offered as complimentary. The carriers are trying to combat the effects of a 52 percent increase in the cost of jet fuel this last year. United Airline’s parent, UAL Corp., has reported net losses totaling $3.32 billion over the last three quarters. It is cutting 7,000 jobs and grounding a total of 100 aircraft to reduce its operating costs.

“International flights have historically been sacrosanct from these kinds of charges,” said David Stempler, the president of the Air Travelers Association advocacy group. “This is the new era of a fee for every service. We should get used to it.’”

The airline will charge passengers on the flights from Dulles $6 for a snack box of fruit, cheese, crackers, yoghurt, and a pastry, and $9 for a sandwich or salad.

“These changes are difficult, but necessary, and we do not make them lightly,” wrote the Chicago-based carrier in a memo to its employees. “However, they enable us to reduce costs and generate additional revenue while preserving a differentiated product for our premium cabin customers.”

www.united.com