UAL To Charge $3 For In-flight Snacks By Aug. 1

Chicago, IL (AHN) - United Airlines will charge air passengers on selected flights beginning Aug. 1 $3 for in-flight snacks. In addition the airline is hiking the price of alcoholic beverages on coach class to $6 effective Tuesday.

The changes are among revenue-boosting measures UAL is putting in place simultaneous with cost-cutting measures for the second largest U.S. air carrier to survive the financial storm threatening the global airline industry, reeling from soaring jet fuel prices.

The $3 jumbo snacks, which weigh 4 to 5 ounces, will consist of chips, cookies, candies and trail mix. UAL hopes to add $1 billion a year to company revenues from the snack sales.

The $3 snacks are extras. UAL would still give free half-ounce packs of pretzels and various sodas and juices to passengers. UAL spokeswoman Robin Urbanski, however, said the air carrier may change policies in the future and charge for food and beverages consumed by passengers while onboard.

Another U.S. airline, U.S. Airways, will also start to charge its passengers $2 for sodas and $7 for alcoholic drinks starting Aug. 1. Southwest Airlines, which refuses to charge fliers for food and drinks, would be an alternative for travelers who insist on no extra charges for their snacks onboard.

On the cost-cutting side, UAL will layoff 950 pilots and 1,600 other airline workers.