Complimentary meals will be offered on cross-country routes starting March 1.
Delta Air Lines has announced that it will begin serving complimentary fresh meals on select routes starting next month.
Beginning March 1, Delta’s transcontinental passengers flying between New York City’s JFK airport and LAX and SFO will be the first to be given free meals. Then on April 24, the airline will begin serving meals to fliers in 10 other major domestic transcontinental markets: from Boston to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle; between Washington DCA airport and LAX; between New York JFK and Portland, Ore., San Diego, and Seattle; and on flights between Seattle and Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Raleigh-Durham.
Last year Delta experimented with bringing back free meals during a trial run.
Passengers on morning flights will have a choice between a honey maple breakfast sandwich, a continental breakfast, or fruit and cheese plate. During the day, customers will be able to select from a mesquite-smoked turkey combo, Luvo Mediterranean whole grain veggie wrap, or fruit and cheese plate. For overnight flights, customers will be offered a breakfast bar during the pre-arrival beverage service. Previously, the items were available for purchase.
The airline says the menu will be refreshed regularly for all 12 routes and will focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Most U.S. carriers did away with complimentary meals during the financial crisis that started in 2007, and until now Hawaiian Airlines has been the only U.S. carrier to still offer them.