Continental Airlines debuts for-purchase menu

Continental, one of the last airlines to eighty-six free in-flight meals, debuted its for-purchase menu this week. Selections sound surprisingly tasty, a rarity in high-altitude dining.

Among the choices: grilled chicken spinach salad, Asian noodle salad, Angus cheeseburger, cheese and fruit plate, sausage-egg-cheese sandwich and - we'll take two of these - chocolate-covered cheesecake on a stick. Prices range from $1.50 for Pringles to $8.25 for the spinach salad.

The airline offers the menus in economy class on select domestic, Canadian and Latin American flights. Passengers on longer trips still score free meals.