Delta Airlines is eliminating its onboard snack and beverage service later this month in a move that the carrier says will “create a more consistent experience across our network.”
Beginning May 19, Delta will no longer offer complimentary beverage and snack service for main cabin passengers on flights shorter than 350 miles; first class passengers will continue to receive this perk.
A Delta spokesperson confirmed to Rabblenews.com that the change will affect about 9% of daily flights, including Delta Connection flights—short haul regional flights operated by Delta subsidiary Endeavor Airlines, and partner carriers Republic Airways and SkyWest Airlines. This amounts to about 500 daily flights.
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Delta says the elimination of drink and snack service on these shorter flights coincides with an increase of full service to more passengers on longer flights.
“Customers traveling in Delta Comfort and Delta Main on flights 350 miles and above will now receive full beverage and snack service,” the Delta spokesperson said. “With up to 5,500 daily flights, this adjustment means 14% of daily flight volume will gain full service.”
Currently, flights under 500 miles receive an “express” service, which comes with coffee, tea and water, and a limited selection of alcoholic beverages.
Ben Schlappig of One Mile at a Time says he believes the changes are reasonable.
“I mean, on a 340-mile flight it would be nice if the crew at least came through with some water, so it’s a bit disappointing to hear there will be no service,” Schlappig writes. “At the same time, many will appreciate that a larger number of flights will be going from a very limited inflight service to a full service.”
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Delta assured weary travelers, many of whom have felt the slow decrease in free perks when booking airline travel, that flight crew members will continue to be “visible, available, and focused on caring for our customers, like they do on every flight.”
Still, the timing of the decision has raised some eyebrows. Just this week, Spirit Airlines, the low-cost carrier that many industry experts credited for keeping airline travel prices competitive, officially went out of business after years of financial struggle. Some social media users drew their own conclusions about the sudden change to a service that was previously provided gratis on hundreds of flights.
Which Delta Airlines flights will lose beverage service?
The reduction in full beverage service will affect shorter routes between major cities like New York City to Washington D.C., Los Angeles to San Diego, Chicago to Detroit, or Houston to New Orleans—among others.
Los Angeles to San Francisco and Los Angeles to Phoenix just barely squeak by the 350-mile threshold.
Delta previously did not offer complimentary drink and snack service on flights under 250 miles. Other airlines have similar cutoffs.
If you’ll want the full drink cart experience you’re used to, you’ll need to pack Biscoff cookies in your carry-on luggage and buy a requisite Diet Coke from an airport shop.
That’s scientifically proven* to be the best airplane snack combination.
