Westjet has introduced pre-order meals on select flights, in a move that gives passengers control over their inflight meal experience, and assists the carrier with inventory control.
The Canadian low-cost carrier already offers a vast array of buy-on-board (BOB) meals and snacks via its inflight menu. But under this new trial, passengers travelling from Toronto on flights of 2.5 hours or longer (that’s 35 destinations folks) can order and pay for their meals at menu.westjet.com in advance of the flight.
“Simply select your flight details and date, add in your name, select the meal option, add in the payment details and voilà you have just pre ordered a meal and it will be delivered straight to your seat during your flight,” says WestJet spokeswoman Jennifer Sanford.
The trial includes some new additions to the menu (including a vegetarian option). Passengers can select a smoked meat sandwich; an Asian vegetable wrap; a ham and Swiss cheese croissant; turkey brie on a cranberry multigrain bun; or a deluxe cheese tray complete with a premium Lindt chocolate.
All items are priced at C$6.00 each, which is slightly cheaper than similar products that feature in Westjet’s extensive BOB menu.
Passengers have taken to the news positively explains Sanford. “We’re excited to see guests taking advantage of this new offer – an offer we believe is directly in line with WestJet’s commitment to deliver a great guest experience.”
The bonus about this service is the flexibility that it offers. If a passengers changes his or her mind prior to departure (and give the airline at least 48 hours notice) they can change their meal option.
Rest assured if you miss your flight due to carrier error or your order is not delivered correctly you are entitled to a full refund.
In offering this service, WestJet joins a growing list of airlines that in recent months have moved towards pre-purchase meals as a way of ensuring passenger satisfaction whilst bolstering ancillary revenue streams.
July 13, 2012 at 5:34 pm
A nice feature improvement. If the sandwiches are half decent, the C$6 is not a bad price. On the downside, can’t you just imagine the Joy and Happiness involved with getting a refund, if/when the screw it up? I suspect that part of their gamble is that many folks simpl won’t bother with the C$6 when WJ screws it up.
July 13, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Yeah I thought it was a good price too. The service is actually provided by Air Meals in San Fransisco. What I like about their system is that you can make changes up to 48 hours prior to departure. Here in Europe once you book a meal, that’s it, usually you can’t change your meals if you change your flights at the last minute. Refunds are meant to be simple too (if they screw things up!) Cheers