American Airlines Tests Meal Sales at Gates

American Airlines said it has started a test program selling meals to passengers at some airport gates. The program began at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport at some gate areas for flights to Miami and St. Louis. Breakfast costs $7 and features croissants, muffins and yogurt. Lunch and dinner cost $10 each and feature salads and sandwiches.

Passengers may buy the meals beginning an hour before boarding starts. The test program is to end in late October. The meals are provided by LSG Sky Chefs which caters 260 airlines in 46 countries.

Fort Worth-based American Airlines, the world’s largest carrier, and several other airlines curtailed food service in 2001 to reduce costs as air travel plummeted and the industry’s finances were decimated.