logo

The Global Domain Name (url) Families.com is currently available for acquisition. Please contact by phone at 805-627-1955 or Email for Details

To Eat or Not to Eat at 35,000 Feet

These days unless you are packing some serious green or you tote a cooler on a plane as a carry on then you likely will be stuck eyeing the ham and Swiss wrap your seatmate is munching on during your five-hour flight from New York to Los Angeles.

Attention summer leisure travelers (you know, all of you vacationers who fly once or twice a year): If you aren’t already aware, the majority of airlines no longer offer free meals on domestic flights. If you aren’t clear of what is being served (or not served) on domestic flights these days the following roundup might prove to be quite beneficial, especially if your stomach strikes back when it is empty.

AirTran

The carrier does not serve any meals, but offers complimentary coffee, juices, soda and pretzels on all flights. Alcoholic beverages are $6 on all flights.

American Airlines

American offers boxed snacks for $3 each on U.S. and Canadian flights that are two hours or longer. On flights more than three hours long within the U.S. or to Mexico or the Caribbean, sandwiches and wraps are available for $6. “Snack Packs” are available for $4 on American Eagle and AmericanConnection flights in the continental U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Continental

On domestic flights (excluding Hawaii) or flights to Canada, the Caribbean or Latin American destinations that last over two hours, Continental serves a complimentary meal and snack provided you are flying during the following times: Breakfast/Snack: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Lunch/Snack: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Dinner/Snack: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. If your flight is not during the scheduled breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, a light snack may be offered on flights longer than three hours in economy class. Complimentary beverages are also included.

Delta

On flights less than 450 miles, Delta offers one complimentary snack (chips or pretzels). On flights ranging from 450 to 749 miles (about 1 – 1.5 hours), you’ll be given a choice of snack. On flights ranging from 750 to 1,024 miles (about 1.5 – 2 hours), you’ll be given a basic snack and a range of other snacks for purchase (prices range from $1 – $3). On flights longer than 1,025 miles (about two hours), you’ll have your choice of complimentary snack as well as a meal priced from $4 to $10. Complimentary meal service is provided on service to or from Alaska and Hawaii or on flights longer than five hours. Complimentary non-alcoholic drinks are offered on all flights, while a $5 or $6 charge applies to all alcoholic beverages in economy class on Delta and Delta Connection flights.

Check back for additional airlines in my next blog.

Related Articles:

How Healthy Are Airline Meals?

Rating Airline Food

In-Flight Meals–What You Will (Or Won’t) Be Getting

No Such Thing As A Free Ride… Or Free Pretzels

New Menu Options at 35,000 Feet

Airline Meals and Movies

First-Class Eats at 35,000 Feet

Meals Most of Us WON’T Be Dining on at 35,000 Feet

This entry was posted in Air by Michele Cheplic. Bookmark the permalink.

About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.