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Delta Airlines will stop offering free snacks and drinks on some short flights, with the change set to take effect from May 19, according to a report by The New York Times. The airline will end complimentary snack and beverage service in the economy cabin on flights under 350 miles.
Routes such as Los Angeles to San Francisco, which fall below the 350-mile threshold, are expected to be impacted. Delta already does not provide snacks or drinks on flights shorter than 250 miles.
As per NYT report, the airline said the change is meant to “create a more consistent experience across our network.” It added, “Even on the small number of flights without beverage service, our crew will continue to be visible, available and focused on caring for our customers, like they do on every flight.”
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
The decision sets Delta apart from other major US carriers. American Airlines provides complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks on flights over 250 miles, while United Airlines offers free nonalcoholic beverages on all flights and snacks on routes exceeding 300 miles. Southwest Airlines serves free drinks and snacks on select flights over 251 miles.
Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst at Atmosphere Research, said, “Even budget airlines sell food and beverages on their short flights. Delta likes to claim that it’s a ‘premium’ airline, but cutting out cabin service doesn’t support that.”
Routes such as Los Angeles to San Francisco, which fall below the 350-mile threshold, are expected to be impacted. Delta already does not provide snacks or drinks on flights shorter than 250 miles.
As per NYT report, the airline said the change is meant to “create a more consistent experience across our network.” It added, “Even on the small number of flights without beverage service, our crew will continue to be visible, available and focused on caring for our customers, like they do on every flight.”
Expanded service on longer flights
At the same time, Delta will introduce full snack and beverage service for Delta Comfort and Delta Main cabin passengers on flights of 350 miles or more. The airline said this would increase the total number of flights offering such services overall.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
The decision sets Delta apart from other major US carriers. American Airlines provides complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks on flights over 250 miles, while United Airlines offers free nonalcoholic beverages on all flights and snacks on routes exceeding 300 miles. Southwest Airlines serves free drinks and snacks on select flights over 251 miles.
Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst at Atmosphere Research, said, “Even budget airlines sell food and beverages on their short flights. Delta likes to claim that it’s a ‘premium’ airline, but cutting out cabin service doesn’t support that.”
