Travel and lifestyle journalist Francesca Page on how standards for air travel will shift due to coronavirus.
Could this be a promising sign that the airline industry is recovering from a turbulent year?
American Airlines will be offering hot food at its airports from the Admirals Club’s airports in the country from August 12, according to Forbes.
American Airlines brings hot food back to lounges at airports, a sign that the travel industry is taking flight again during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
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However, the airline introduces new health and safety protocol when it comes to passengers and their plates. Instead of allowing travelers to serve themselves as a buffet style, AA employees will now distribute food from behind acrylic dividers to limit contact with passengers with food and storage devices. Employees will wear gloves and masks to maintain social distance.
The menu will also be reduced and include options such as oatmeal, soup and macaroni and cheese, in addition to the pre-packaged meals. AA will also return its pay-per-item meal options, which include offerings such as pizza and sandwiches, on Aug. 19, according to Forbes.
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Food and beverage programs form a substantial part of the business for airports across the country, many of which were devastated by reduced flight schedules and reduced foot traffic amid the crisis in coronavirus. More specifically, just under 50 percent of an airport’s revenue comes from restaurants, airport lounges and retail establishments, according to data from airline blog YourMilageMayVary.net.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAL | AMERICAN AIRLINES GROUP INC. | 14.02 | +0.99 | + 7.60% |
The Airport Restaurant and Retail Association, a trade group, estimated that airport restaurants and retail sales in April would make just $ 38 million in sales in the wake of the pandemic, compared to $ 825 million at the same time last year.
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Employment has also dropped dramatically for airport concession workers – out of the 125,000 deployed at airports nationwide, the ARRA estimates that just 5 per cent currently work in May.
