JetBlue Airways (JBLU) is changing the meal service for its transatlantic flights, restricting hot meals to its most expensive Mint fares. It turns out such an arrangement is not uncommon on U.S. carriers, where the best food options go to those most willing to pony up for a premium fare.
Check out who gets to eat what for free on domestic flights.
Allegiant Air (ALGT) does not offer complimentary food or beverage service on its flights.
Frontier Arlines does not offer complimentary food or beverage service on its flights.
Spirit Airlines (SAVE) does not offer complimentary food or beverage service for its “Go” and “Go Savvy” lower-end fares. “Go Comfy” seats get a complimentary small snack (a cookie) and a nonalcoholic drink. “Go Big” seats get a complimentary premium snack (almonds or a brownie) and a free drink that includes alcohol choices.
Southwest Airlines (LUV) offers the same thing to everyone: Flights traveling 175 miles or less only have water available. Flights lasting longer than that get complimentary snacks and a nonalcoholic beverage. However: “Business Select” fares (people who pay for early boarding) get a free “premium” (alcoholic) beverage.
Alaska Airlines (ALK) offers free nonalcoholic and hot beverages to passengers in its “Main Cabin” classes. “First” class flyers get those plus alcoholic beverages plus meal service. On Alaska’s longest flights (those lasting 2,140 miles or more), it offers a snack basket, an appetizer, bread and butter, and a hot entrée like braised top-blade beef with fennel.
American Airlines (AAL) offers fresh coffee, tea, juice, water, and soft drinks, as well as complimentary snacks to its “Main Cabin” flyers on jaunts longer than 250 miles. “Premium” flyers get that plus meal service.
JetBlue Airways offers free snacks, nonalcoholic drinks, and hot beverages to all flyers, but only its premium “Mint” fares include a meal service. On “coast-to-coast” domestic flights, that includes up to three small plates (salad, a pizza slice, etc.), a dessert, and a “parting pleasantry” sweet snack.
United Airlines (UAL) offers its “Economy” fares free hot and cold nonalcoholic beverages. “Premium” flyers get that plus alcoholic drinks and meal service. On United’s longest flights (those traveling more than 1,190 miles), that includes mixed nuts, salad, bread, a hot entrée like a burger or wrap, dessert, and a pre-arrival snack.
Delta Air Lines (DAL) gives passengers on all flights that travel more than 251 miles a free snack and hot or cold nonalcoholic beverages. Its “Comfort+” passengers also get complimentary alcohol. Its “First Class” fares also get hot meal service, which includes options like braised turkey meatballs or a vegetable lasagna for longer-haul flights.
