Originally Posted by TightSlot
... In fact, given the extensive use of yield management software for manipulating fares, all passengers are subsidising each other to a greater or lesser degree. I don't feel bad about this, or about charging more for a hot meal than it is bought in for by the airline...
You are absolutely correct, tightslot, that the same point raised about food subsidising pax can be equally applied to other aspects of a ticket price. In fact, i have highlighted the same point myself in a recent post.
The point is, however, with the greatest respect, that the topic of this thread is about paying for meals on charters and whether it is a con, when those who don't pay still get a meal on some flights. It is that which may be percieved by passengers as 'iniquitous', not the fact that a charge is made.
Nobody here is suggesting that you personally should 'feel bad' about meal charging- as you didn't make the policy.
The original poster was asking a question, and now he has some answers.
Not sure about the baby food thing, as I would have assumed pretty much any decent airline with the facilities would do this if required, for the reasons you stated. No?