Which Airlines Provide Free Meals?

Airlines like Delta, American, United, JetBlue, Alaska, and Southwest offer free meals or snacks on select routes or fare classes. Budget airlines like Allegiant and Frontier don’t include free meals.

It is generally assumed that nothing is free in this world. Well, some airlines have proved this notion wrong by offering free in-flight meals for their passengers. However, this facility is not provided in every condition but is made available to them in specific circumstances. Which are those circumstances, and which airlines do offer them? The subsequent article will provide answers to these questions. Moreover, as a bonus, at the end of the article, you will be provided with tips to help you know about meals to consider before flying.   

List of Airlines That Offer Free In-Flight Meals

Though various airlines offer free in-flight meals to their passengers, they don't always provide them. Some may give them on long-haul flights, while others may offer them to upper-class passengers. However, the description of each flight and when they offer free in-flight meals can be understood as follows:

American Airlines

American Airlines offers complimentary tea, coffee, water, Coca-Cola, Biscoff cookies, and pretzels in its "Main Cabin" and "Main Cabin Extra," provided the flight travels more than 250 miles. However, for economy class passengers, a free in-flight meal is only offered for specific routes, including flights to or from Asia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Australia, Europe, selected South American cities, and between Hawaii and the mainland USA. 

Delta Air Lines

The Main Cabin of all Delta Air Lines flights will provide its passengers with tea, water, Coca-Cola, coffee, and snacks, provided your flight flies over 250 miles. However, if you are traveling on a long-haul flight with Delta Air Lines, it will provide you with meals and beverages, irrespective of the fare class you are traveling in. 

Southwest Airlines

This airline is economy class; thus, the free in-flight menu applies to all passengers and includes tea, water, Coca-Cola, coffee, and snacks.

United Airlines

While traveling over 300 miles, United Airlines offers its economy class passengers free snacks, coffee, tea, water, and soft drinks. In business and first class, passengers are provided free alcohol while flying over 300 miles, free snacks while flying between 300 and 900 miles, a hot meal while flying over 900 miles, and snacks in addition to the main meal while flying over 1,190 miles. 

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways provides complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, and hot beverages to all passengers, irrespective of their fare classes. In contrast, "Mint" fare class passengers also receive free meal service.  

Alaska Airlines

Free nonalcoholic and hot beverages are available to passengers with a "Main Cabin" fare class ticket on Alaska Airlines. At the same time, flyers with the "First" class tickets would be provided with a meal and alcoholic beverages in addition to what has been provided to their "Main Cabin" fare passengers. On the other hand, passengers who fly for 2,140 miles or more would be offered a snack basket, a hot entree, bread and butter, and an appetizer.

Spirit Airlines

Though complimentary food or drinks are not offered to "Go" and "Go Savvy" fare classes by Spirit Airlines, the "Go Comfy" fare class is provided with a free in-flight small snack and non-alcoholic drinks. Meanwhile, passengers in the "Go Big" fare class will be provided with a free drink (including alcoholic ones) and a complimentary premium snack (almonds/brownies). 

Airlines That Don't Offer Free In-Flight Meals

Those airlines that don't offer free in-flight meals to their passengers are generally low-cost airlines that provide cheap airfare tickets and save money by not offering such services. Still, the meals can be provided after paying for them specifically. The airlines that don't offer complimentary meals or beverages include:  

• Allegiant Air
• Frontier Airlines
• EasyJet
• Wizz Air
• Aer Lingus
• Iberia
• Vueling
• Norwegian
• TAP

Conclusion

After being aware of the conditions of the flights when they provide you with complimentary in-flight meal options and what they offer, you should know which airline you want to choose to fly in the future. Also, keep in mind the tips about having the perfect diet and other things to consider before flying. All these things help to create a memorable experience for you, even before you reach your desired destination.