Deregulation of US airlines in 1978 changed nearly every aspect of airline operation, including catering services. In the drive to reduce costs, food service was cut back or even removed completely. The fewer flight attendants and greater number of feeder flights made it difficult or impossible to offer food service.
In the mid-1980s, the business of flight catering changed further as airlines began selling of their flight kitchens and outsourcing food production. Flight-service decisions became crucial to meet the needs and expectations of passengers and to differentiate the product.
The trade-off between premium services and the costs of providing it demanded much of the airline product planner. Lighter meals have become the trend with SAS introducing a self-service sandwich selection, Swissair introducing cuisine modern, and Air One introducing first-class meals prepared by stewards at a buffet. TWA introduced à la carte meals for members of the TWA frequent flight to economic