Good Lifestyle

Some travelers see flying as an exciting experience that allows them to explore the world and connect with loved ones. Others see it as a special kind of hassle that can be as uncomfortable as it is unpredictable. In either case, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult to know what to expect whenever taking to the skies as safety mandates and cost-cutting measures took precedence over some familiar comforts. But after more than two years, major airlines are beginning to get their footing back and restoring certain perks that passengers can look forward to once again. Read on to see which popular in-flight service American is finally bringing back for passengers.

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Even though they've been greatly affected by pandemic-related changes, food and beverage service on planes is finally beginning to return to normal one step at a time. In the most recent example, American Airlines has reintroduced in-flight espresso service for passengers for the first time since dropping the offering in the spring of last year, travel blog View From the Wing reports.

The restored service now means that passengers flying in premium cabins will have the option to order espresso-based drinks while in the sky, including cappuccinos and lattes. Specifically, machines capable of making the beverages are installed on Airbus A321T, Boeing 777-300ER, and Boeing 787 planes in American's fleet.

Some experts argued that the return of the passenger perk was a small but appreciated step towards normalcy. "Obviously, they weren't the best espresso or cappuccino beverages, but they were significantly better than airplane coffee," Ben Schlappig, founder of travel news outlet One Mile at a Time, wrote in a post noting the service change.

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From reduced beverage service sweeps to an outright ban on alcohol sales, the pandemic has brought its fair share of COVID-precaution-related changes to in-flight service. But unlike other recent adjustments, the decision by American to drop in-flight espresso roughly a year ago was a money-saving measure taken by the airline.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

When announcing the change last year, the carrier said it had removed espresso-based drinks from the premium cabin menu "to help conserve fuel and prevent confusion about what services are currently offered," according to travel news outlet Live and Let Fly. But while the airline stopped the made-to-order beverage service, only "frothing wands, cups, saucers, [and] brewing pods" were taken off aircraft and not the machines themselves. "Clearly, this was not about consumer confusion or fuel, but simply about trying to trim costs," the blog argues.

American's decision to revive in-flight espresso drinks is just one of the recent readditions of in-flight food and beverage perks announced as the airline industry slowly normalizes. Last month, competing carrier Delta revived hot meal service for first-class passengers for its premium cabins on select flights that are 900 miles or greater. The revamped menu now includes new entree options such as ginger beer-braised osso bucco, wild mushroom ravioli, chicken cacciatore, and French bread pizza, as well as an enhanced dessert selection that ranges from ricotta cheesecake to frozen Greek yogurt with cherry syrup to a strawberry rhubarb and pretzel tart.

Delta also revived full three-course meal service on long-haul transoceanic international flights for its Delta One business class passengers as of March 15. Previously, the carrier reduced service to a single course meal to cut down on interaction between crew and passengers during the pandemic. Flyers in the premium cabin can also expect a wider selection of drinks and snacks served before takeoff, as well as a post-meal treat.

"Customers can also enjoy more options for their pre-departure beverages, like mimosas, and snack on new cocktail bites before meal service," Allison Ausband , Executive Vice President at Chief Customer Experience Officer para sa Delta, sinabi sa isang pahayag noong Marso 4. "At ang aking personal na paborito: ang mga customer ay maaaring muli magpakasawa sa higit pang mga pagpipilian sa dessert, pagpili sa pagitan ng isa sa aming dekadent na mga dessert ng dessert o isang sorbetes ng ice cream na may isang array ng mga pagpipilian sa topping. "

Kaugnay: Ang United ay sa wakas ay nagdadala pabalik sa serbisyong ito para sa mga biyahero, tulad ng Abril 14 .