American Airlines will carry out a three-week test on flights from San Francisco during which only card payments will be accepted for onboard purchases.

Passengers will not be able to use cash to buy any items, including headsets, snacks, light meals and alcoholic drinks.

The airline said that it hopes to determine whether cabin passengers prefer to pay for their purchases with plastic or like to have the option to use cash.

Lauri Curtis, American Airlines' vice-president of onboard service, said: "These days, consumers are more frequently paying for items electronically with credit cards and debit cards.

"With this test, we are seeking feedback from passengers and from our flight attendants to determine if this consumer behaviour also works with the purchase of onboard items."

Ms Curtis explained that San Francisco was chosen for the test as departures from there cover an "excellent cross-section of distances", with flights going to Los Angeles, Dallas, Honolulu and New York among other destinations.

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Tony Hill Helen Gillilan

Published By:
The News Team
(Tony Hill and Helen Gillilan)


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