Delta to remove main cabin drinks & snacks on some flights

Starting May 19, Delta Air Lines will stop offering complimentary snacks and drinks in economy on flights shorter than 349 miles (561 kilometres).

Roughly nine percent of the airline’s daily flights will be affected, including routes such as Los Angeles to San Francisco.

Delta had already excluded flights under 250 miles (402 kilometres) from onboard snack and beverage service, particularly many short Northeast routes.

According to the airline, the policy change is meant to “create a more consistent experience across our network,” reads a statement.

Delta said flight attendants on these shorter routes will still remain attentive and available to passengers, even without food and drink service.

At the same time, Delta plans to expand full snack and beverage service on flights of 350 miles (563 kilometres) or longer in both Delta Comfort and Main Cabin, which the airline says will increase the overall number of flights offering refreshments.

The move makes Delta more restrictive than several competing U.S. airlines.

American Airlines provides complimentary snacks and nonalcoholic beverages on flights longer than 250 miles (402 kilometres), while United Airlines offers free nonalcoholic drinks on all flights and snacks on routes over 300 miles (482 kilometres).

Southwest Airlines also serves complimentary drinks and snacks on select flights exceeding 251 miles (403 kilometres).

The changes will not affect those in premium cabins, with first-class passengers still entitled to a full service.

Economy passengers, however, will be impacted by the changes, including those in Delta Main and Delta Comfort.

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