Northwest Airlines today announced it is expanding its coach cabin meals for sale program from 64 to 135 domestic flights
The program, which began Jan. 15 as a limited test on 12 flights, is expected to “break even.” The test is being expanded to better serve the needs of the airline’s customers.
The overall response from Northwest customers has been positive. “We have seen that our passengers greatly appreciate the opportunity to buy a quality, generously-sized and thoughtfully prepared meal on many flights,” said Hector Adler, vice president for inflight services. “This program offers passengers convenience and reasonable prices for a product that we hope further enhances the total flight experience.”
Meal prices range from $5 to $10. During mealtime flights, food will be available in the following markets (meals in the first class cabin remain complimentary):
*  Minneapolis/St. Paul to/from Las Vegas, New York-LaGuardia, Boston, Austin, Hartford, Baltimore/Washington, Washington-Reagan National, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Phoenix
* Memphis to/from New York-LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, and Phoenix
* Detroit to/from Orlando, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers
* Milwaukee to Boston, Las Vegas, New York-LaGuardia, and Orlando
* Las Vegas to Milwaukee
* Orlando to Milwaukee

All meals are produced by Northwest caterers LSG Sky Chefs and Gate Gourmet. They feature brand-name products from purveyors such as D’Amico & Sons and Flight Gourmet.
Menu descriptions are displayed in gate areas or on menu cards distributed by flight attendants.
Future plans call for the communication of meal availability and menu descriptions on the Internet and at self-service check-in kiosks as well as in computer reservations systems at the time customers book their flights. Additional flights offering coach cabin meals also will be added in the future.
Northwest Airlines is the world`s fourth largest airline with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,500 daily departures. With its travel partners, Northwest serves nearly 750 cities in almost 120 countries on six continents. In 2002, consumers from throughout the world recognized Northwest’s efforts to make travel easier. A 2002 J.D. Power and Associates study ranked airports at Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul, home to Northwest’s two largest hubs, tied for second place among large domestic airports in overall customer satisfaction. Business travelers who subscribe to OAG print and electronic flight guides rated nwa.com as the best airline Web site. Readers of TTG Asia and TTG China named Northwest “Best North American airline.”
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