Delta has new snack selections for economy class customers, including honey roasted peanuts. (Image: Delta)
Delta Air Lines has started toying with some changes in its food offerings for economy class passengers, revamping its snack lineup and experimenting with a return to free meals one some flights.
And for peanut purists, the news may not be good.
The airline said that on December 14, it will eliminate its traditional Delta-branded Main Cabin snacks – except for Biscoff cookies, which it will keep — in favor of a new lineup that includes pretzels from Snyder’s of Hanover, NatureBix apple cinnamon yogurt bars, and Squirrel Brand peanuts.
But here’s the thing: The Squirrel peanuts will be honey-roasted, replacing Delta’s traditional lightly salted nuts. And they won’t be available on shorter flights – only the cookies and the pretzels will be. Coach flyers on trips of more than 600 miles will get a choice of all four snacks. (On international flights, the choices will be pretzels or honey-roasted peanuts.)
As a Georgia-based airline, it’s no surprise that Delta is one of only two major airlines that still serve peanuts. (Southwest does, too.) But honey roasted? Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not a fan. Honey roasted peanuts and flavored coffees are two food adulterations I could live without.
Only two US airlines now serve peanuts: Delta and Southwest (Image: Pixabay)
“It’s good that Delta is looking for ways to spice up the experience. But it’s a bummer that the choices are carb-only for shorter flights. Honey-roasted peanuts are favored by a niche of travelers, but the salted ones probably had broader appeal. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, there’s no more low-carb option,” says frequent Delta flyer and blogger Ramsey Qubein.
Want to try the new snacks in advance? Delta has set up vending machines with free samples at airports in New York, Seattle and Los Angeles. The airline also said that it plans to change the snack lineup more often in the future, “based on direct customer feedback.” So if you’d prefer something else — celery stalks? M&Ms? potato chips? baby carrots? –be sure to let the airline know.
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Meanwhile, economy class passengers on Delta’s New York JFK-San Francisco/Los Angeles flights may see something else on their tray tables: a free meal.
The airline has reportedly started testing a return to free coach meals on those lucrative transcontinental routes, which are among the industry’s most competitive. Delta says that on flights that are participating in the testing, the complimentary meals include the option of a Honey Maple Breakfast Sandwich or Luvo Breakfast Medley on morning flights and an option of Mesquite-Smoked Turkey Combo with chips and a brownie bite or Luvo Mediterranean Whole Grain Veggie Wrap with grapes and a cookie on afternoon flights.
But getting back to the peanuts… Is it just me, or do you think that salted peanuts are better than the honey-roasted variety? Please leave your comments below.
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easyvictor says
March 25, 2017 at 2:56 pmThose honey roasted peanuts are amazing! Trying to buy them now from the manufacturer….
Kelly Larson says
February 17, 2017 at 1:58 pmI’m sorry but the Suirrel Brand honey roasted peanuts are delicious. I’m disappointed that squirrel doesn’t sell them on their eCommerce site.
Laylah Lauree says
January 21, 2017 at 10:18 amI love honey roasted peanuts, they are the best! Especially the brand Delta serves. Just flew roundtrip to London, and those little nuts gave me the fuel I needed for the long international flight.
Mara says
December 15, 2016 at 6:16 amDoes that mean we get to throw the shells on the ground too? 😀
Carl Black says
December 14, 2016 at 2:48 pmAnd yet AA, which generally is known for terribly low-quality food, always has GF snacks in F. I discovered some of my favorite cookies (that anyone would love, not just GF folks) that way.
Mara says
December 14, 2016 at 11:18 amI usually get upgraded and find the general lack of GF snacks in First to be annoying. Some days there are great options (plain popcorn, Kind bars)…others, not so much.
Carl Black says
December 9, 2016 at 11:14 pmTwo thumbs down (would be more if I had additional hands). Really saddened to see DL go a direction in favor of more sugar and essentially more garbage. They could really lead the industry by making all items gluten-free (or AT LEAST wheat-free). We don’t know the ingredients of the new peanut product (perhaps it’s an exclusive for DL), but I suspect it won’t be GF either. Instead of offering more junk food, they need to switch to higher-quality peanuts with sea salt (though I’d personally prefer almonds). DL is supposed to be leading the industry, but…this isn’t quite it.
Shootfire says
December 9, 2016 at 3:05 pmI think this is nit-picking, which, of course, you’re allowed to do on your own blog..hehe. Personally, I always found honey-roasted, along with plain, to be kind of the default peanut style, but then again I’m not a peanut aficionado. Plain and simple, I don’t think anyone should be complaining about an airline trying to enhance free food offerings. We should take what we can get.
Andrew Selden says
December 9, 2016 at 8:47 amDid all the airports stop selling 400 different kinds of snack on the concourses?
betseylou says
December 8, 2016 at 7:56 pmI’m with JD, dont like flavored coffee, unless it’s something i can add in quantities i measure, but I do love a honey roasted peanut.
JD says
December 8, 2016 at 4:45 pmTotally agree with you on flavored coffee. But I love honey-roasted peanuts. But being a Georgia based airline, they should offer both regular and honey-roasted. (and on the short flights as well!)