OREANDA-NEWS. Starting March 1, 2014 Ukraine International Airlines launch a new onboard meals concept - Buy on Board. The structure of economy class fares on flights of up to 2 hours duration will be revised, and the onboard meals cost will be taking out of the ticket fare.

The Buy on Board concept will be implemented in stages. First-off (as of March 1, 2014) the model will be introduced on international scheduled flights of up to 2 hours duration. Economy class passengers will be offered to purchase snacks (chocolate, nuts, chips, biscuits, croissants, and soups), as well as an extended range of soft and alcoholic drinks on board. Starting from March, 15, sandwiches with various fillings will complement the snack and beverage assortment. Thus, passengers will be able to choose from the proposed range of products and drinks according to their taste preferences and in unlimited quantities.

By the summer schedule launch, the Buy on Board concept will be introduced for economy class passengers on all UIA medium-haul flights. Business class passengers and passengers of UIA UIA-coded long-haul flights will be still provided with onboard meals as included in the ticket fare.

By June, 2014, UIA plan to completely introduce its new Pre-ordered Meal service, which offers passengers to pre-order hot onboard meals at least 24 hours before departure by choosing the preferred meal from diversified menu presented on the UIA website.

Passengers of UIA-operated charter flights will be provided with onboard meals and beverages at the request of tourist operators.

“UIA decided to introduce the new Buy on Board concept for economy class passengers and, accordingly, to revise the cost structure by excluding the onboard meals' cost from the ticket fare in order to improve the price/quality balance,” admitted Anton Borysyuk, Vice President Service and Logistics . “The concept developed with due regard to other airlines' successful experience will allow UIA to both offer passengers a wide range of high-quality meals and provide them with an opportunity to choose and pay for the onboard service level that suits them best.”