More, better food on Delta, United & American

It’s not much, but it’s something: American’s free economy snacks. (Image: American Airlines)

Economy class passengers on two major airlines are finally getting something that doesn’t have a fee attached to it.

United Airlines this week initiated its previously announced plan to start giving free snacks to the folks in coach – and rival American Airlines now says it will do the same thing beginning this month. Delta is rolling out on new freebies on a limited basis, but it did announce some new, healthy economy items for purchase in economy class.

Economy flyers on United’s routes within North America and to and from Central America can now get a free Stroopwafel (a toasted waffle with caramel filling) on morning flights. Later in the day, free items include snack mixes of either rice crackers, sesame sticks and wasabi peas; or mini pretzel sticks, Cajun corn sticks and ranch soy nuts.

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United is giving out free Stroopwafels in coach stating this week. (Image: United Airlines)

American, meanwhile, said it will begin free snacking in coach this month on transcontinental flights (JFK-LAX, JFK-SFO and MIA-LAX), and will extend it to all domestic flights by April.

The morning snack on AA will be a packet of Biscoff cookies; later in the day, economy passengers will get either the Biscoff cookies or pretzels. And in May, American said, it intends to start giving free meals to economy passengers traveling between Dallas/Ft. Worth and Hawaii.

American also said it is expanding free entertainment options on domestic flights equipped with in-seat entertainment, boosting the programming to include up to 40 movie selections, 60 TV programs and 300 music albums. The carrier noted that live TV channels are now available on Wi-Fi-equipped international flights of its 777-300ERs, retrofitted 777-200ERs and 787-8s.

Meanwhile, Delta said it is introducing some new healthy food options for purchase this week — a trio of wraps from Luvo available to Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+ passengers on North American flights longer than 1,400 miles. They will be offered for free to Delta Comfort+ flyers on the airline’s JFK-LAX and JFK-SFO non-stops, Delta said.

The new Luvo wraps, all with no more than 480 calories and limited sodium, include a southwest grilled chicken option, sesame grilled chicken, and a Mediterranean whole grain veggie wrap.

(Image: Luvo)

Here’s how Delta describes one of the new wraps:

Luvo Southwest Grilled Chicken Wrap (470 calories) – Grilled chicken wrapped with a multi-grain salad (whole grain barley, millet, and bulgur with black beans, corn and roasted tomatoes) in a cilantro Greek yogurt dressing with arugula, romaine and green garbanzo hummus in a tomato whole grain tortilla.

I’m a fan of Delta’s Luvo snacks… but what do you think about the new food options from airlines? Please leave your comments below.

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