Can I get a meal on an airplane?
YOU’RE FLYING. You’re hungry. You just may be out of luck.
Airlines, which made Scrooge look generous during 2008’s Great Recession, have reverted to their miserly ways, but this time the culprit is COVID-19.
Concerned about exposing travelers and flight crew to the vitriolic virus, airlines are limiting — and sometimes eliminating — service.
But before you crush your granola bar in annoyance, we also share some of the unintended consequences the coronavirus has foisted on carriers.
Most of this information pertains to domestic routes because international travel is significantly slimmer than it was this time last year. In fact, many airlines are finding what strength they have in domestic flights. If your airline isn’t listed here, consult its website.
Of note to those who fly economy but might want an alcoholic beverage: That’s probably not happening right now. Many airlines have cut out or curtailed alcoholic beverages. And if you’re thinking of bringing your own stash, it is against Federal Aviation Administration regulations to drink your own alcohol on board.
Here’s the new food- and drinkscape on various airlines.
ALASKA AIRLINES
Flights of less than 350 miles (think Oakland-LAX): All cabins: BYOD&F — bring your own drink and food. Nothing is served.
Flights of more than 350 miles:
Main cabin: Soft drinks, juice, coffee, tea and bottled water.
First class: All of the above plus beer, wine and snack boxes.
AMERICAN AIRLINES
Flights of less than 900 miles (think slightly beyond Denver): Main cabin: Beverages by request only; no
alcohol or snacks.
First class: You may ask for an alcoholic drink, but not before departure.
Flights of 900 to 2,200 miles (think Orlando, Fla., or Pittsburgh) or less than 4½ hours:
Main cabin: Bottled water, pretzels or cookies; no alcohol or food for purchase. First, business: No drinks before departure; alcohol on request. Cookies or pretzels; maybe a fruit and cheese plate.
Flights of 4½ hours or longer or more than 2,200 miles; long-haul flights (think Hawaii or New York City): Main cabin: Water, canned drinks or juice, plus pretzels or cookies. No snacks for sale; forget alcohol (except on international flights).
Business, first class: You can get drinks but not before departure. Besides the same offerings you get in the main cabin, you may get a fruit and cheese plate and a meal.
Unintended coronavirus effect: Nuts that once were served to elite fliers are no longer in demand, the Wall Street Journal reported. GreatNuts.com is selling its excess for $12.95 for 1 pound.
DELTA
Flights 350 to 900 miles:
Main cabin: Bottled water. Choice of Cheez-Its or Biscoff cookies.
First: Snack selection and free beer and wine on flights of more than 500 miles (think Salt Lake City).
Flights of more than 900 miles: Main cabin: Same as above.
First class: Snacks and a “flight fuel” box with a sandwich or fruit plate, plus beer and wine.
SOUTHWEST
Snacks and bottled water on flights of more than 250 miles.
UNITED
Flights of less than an hour:
Sealed beverages on all flights; you must request it if the flight is less than an hour.
Flights longer than two hours, 20 minutes
Main cabin: Snack bag (Stroopwaffel, pretzels) and bottled water Premium cabins: Snack box (chips, dips) with bottled water; free alcoholic beverages.
Unintended coronavirus effect: United has donated more than half a million pounds of food from its lounges, clubs and catering kitchens to food banks and charities, a spokesman said.
Have a travel question, problem or dilemma? Write to catharine@ catharinehamm.com.