American Airlines to start Cashless Cabins begining Monday

Starting June 1st 2009, American Airlines will go cashless for all its domestic flights and flight to/from Hawaii, Alaska and Canada.

American Airlines (like other airlines) offers the following for sale –

• headsets
• meals
• snacks
• alcoholic beverages

“We believe that, by moving to a cashless
cabin, the transaction process is more convenient for both our
customers and flight attendants,” said Lauri Curtis, American’s Vice
President – Onboard Service.

Flight attendants utilize a hand-held Onboard Sales Recorder to
charge credit and debit cards, eliminating the need to search for small
bills or change. American, a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance, has used these hand-held devices since May 2006. Receipts will be provided to passengers upon request.

Cashless cabins will not be implemented onboard American Eagle and
AmericanConnection flights – only cash will continue to be accepted
onboard those flights, just as it is today. (from here)

I personally think that it is a BAD decision on American Airlines’ part. The biggest gripe is for international travelers traveling on domestic flights (after arriving to US) – what if they don’t have a credit card that works?

How about selling coupons on the counters for cash as well?

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