US Airways Becomes First Domestic Airline To Offer Premium Meal Option In Economy Class On Select International Flights

TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- US Airways (NYSE:LCC) continues to enhance its customers' in-flight experience with the introduction of DineFresh, a premium meal option in Economy that allows customers to treat themselves when flying internationally to Europe, the Middle East and South America starting today. The new premium choice enhances the airline's current complimentary meal offerings. In addition, the airline is also introducing several new items to US Airways MarketPlace, its selection of snacks, meals and beverages available for purchase on domestic and international flights.

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"The new DineFresh meal option, which is paired with complimentary wine, gives our customers more choices when traveling internationally in Economy," said Hector Adler, vice president, InFlight Services. "With this new option, US Airways becomes the first U.S.-based carrier to offer a premium meal experience for customers in the main cabin."

US Airways' new DineFresh program allows customers to choose from either a vegetarian meal consisting of a Caprese salad with balsamic dressing, Portobello mushroom tortellini, Mediterranean-style appetizer and turtle cheesecake for dessert or a protein meal consisting of citrus-marinated chicken skewers, seasonal grilled vegetables, classic shrimp cocktail and creme brulee cheesecake for dessert.  

The premium entree, which is priced at $19.99, must be purchased at least 24 hours prior to the flight. Customers traveling on flights where DineFresh meals are offered will be notified in advance via email as to their availability and can visit the following page to order: dinefresh.usairways.com.

As part of a refresh of its MarketPlace offerings, US Airways is adding Shock Top, a Belgian-style wheat ale with a hint of orange, to its list of beers, which already includes Beck's, Budweiser and Bud Light. A sparkling wine option is also being added on select trans-Atlantic flights. Beer, wine and spirits are available for $7 each, Stirrings premium cocktail mixers are available for $8 each and sparkling wine is available for $9 each.

Also new to the airline's MarketPlace Menu are three tasty snacks: Brent and Sam's Chocolate Chip Cookies, made with all natural ingredients and no preservatives for $3 each, Emerald Whole Cashews, featuring no trans fats and zero cholesterol for $3 each and The Original Chex Mix, a party favorite for over 50 years, for $3.49 each. Food options range from $3 for snacks to $8 for fresh meals. Based on customer input, the airline is also adding the popular spicy cherry soda, Pibb Xtra®, to its complimentary line-up of sparkling Coca-Cola beverages.

Starting today, all international flights operated by US Airways will only accept credit and debit cards for onboard purchases. This change is consistent with domestic US Airways flights that went to a convenient cashless system in 2010. US Airways Express flights will remain cash only.

For more information on the products offered within US Airways MarketPlace, please visit usairways.com/marketplace.

About US Airways

US Airways, along with US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express, operates more than 3,200 flights per day and serves more than 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The airline employs more than 32,000 aviation professionals worldwide, operates the world's largest fleet of Airbus aircraft and is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers its customers more than 20,500 daily flights to 1,293 airports in 190 countries. Together with its US Airways Express partners, the airline serves approximately 80 million passengers each year and operates hubs in Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Phoenix, and a focus city in Washington, D.C. at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Aviation Week and Overhaul & Maintenance magazine presented US Airways with the 2012 Aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of the Year Award for demonstrating outstanding achievement and innovation in the area of technical operations. Military Times Edge magazine named US Airways as a Best of Vets employer in 2011 and 2012. US Airways was the only airline included as one of the 50 best companies to work for in the U.S. by LATINA Style magazine's 50 Report for 2010 and 2011. The airline also earned a 100 percent rating on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality index for six consecutive years. The Corporate Equality index is a leading indicator of companies' attitudes and policies toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees and customers. For more company information visit usairways.com, follow on Twitter @USAirways or at Facebook.com/USAirways. (LCCG)

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Click here to order DineFresh, US Airways' new international main cabin premium meal option.

SOURCE US Airways