Airline passengers often anticipate the snacks served onboard, as they can elevate the travel experience. Airlines regularly refresh their snack selections with both classic treats and innovative options to match passenger preferences. Major U.S. airlines are upping their snack game with innovative bites and nostalgic favorites. Here’s a look at the best offerings and how passengers are responding.
Southwest Airlines: Introducing Maui Monk Pretzel Braids
Stellar Snacks’ Maui Monk Pretzel Braids | Photo: Stellar Snacks
Southwest Airlines recently replaced its famous peanut bags with a new snack: Stellar Snacks’ Maui Monk Pretzel Braids. These pretzels blend Maui onion, sea salt, and monk fruit for a sweet and savory crunch. They are also vegan, non-GMO, and peanut-free, catering to various dietary needs. Southwest serves them on flights exceeding 250 miles.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many passengers praising the flavorful upgrade. This change reflects Southwest’s commitment to keeping its onboard service fresh and appealing.
Delta Air Lines: Variety and Familiar Favorites
Delta Air Lines maintains a diverse snack selection, offering both complimentary and premium choices. On flights over 251 miles, Main Cabin passengers enjoy rotating options like Biscoff cookies, SunChips, and a savory snack mix. Delta Comfort+ and First Class travelers receive extras such as Vego gummy bears, mustard pretzels, pistachios, sea salt chips, and granola bars.
For longer flights, Delta sells branded Flight Fuel snack boxes. The Bistro Box includes crackers, cheese spread, almonds, beef sticks, and cookies, while the Market Box features pita chips, hummus, olives, dried fruit, and ginger chews. Full details are available on Delta’s Flight Fuel Menu page.
Passengers on forums like Reddit frequently commend the variety, though some miss older snack options. Overall, Delta stands out as one of the most generous major airlines for inflight snacking.
United Airlines: Premium Treats and Classic Comforts
Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding | Photo: united.com
United Airlines provides complimentary snacks on flights over 300 miles, featuring items like Undercover Quinoa Crisps. Additional snacks for purchase include Pringles and Better Sour candies, offering a balance of salty and sweet flavors.
A standout addition is United’s collaboration with Magnolia Bakery. Passengers in United First on longer domestic flights can savor the bakery’s renowned banana pudding cookie bites, bringing a taste of New York’s iconic dessert shop to the skies.
Premium transcontinental flights now include hot pre-arrival snacks, further elevating United’s inflight dining. The airline is enhancing its onboard experience with high-quality offerings.
Alaska Airlines: West Coast Snack Stars
Protein Platter with Smoked Salmon Dip | Photo: alaskaair.com
Alaska Airlines has earned acclaim for its food and beverage program, recently winning the 2024 Business Traveler North America Award for Best Inflight Food & Beverage.
On flights over 1,100 miles, Main Cabin passengers can enjoy snacks like Pick Pocket traditional hummus, Wicked Crisps sea salt hummus chips, Mario Snack olives, Madi K’s almonds, and That’s it apples + fig fruit bars. A complete snack list is available on the Alaska Airlines food and drink page.
Alaska recently reintroduced hot meal service in the Main Cabin. Breakfast options such as the Carnitas Bowl and Monte Cristo sandwich have delighted passengers seeking heartier fare.
Snacks That Make the Skies a Little Friendlier
Garden variety snacks are a thing of the past
Inflight snacks keep evolving as airlines adapt to passenger preferences, dietary trends, and the pursuit of memorable travel moments. From Southwest’s new pretzel partnership to Alaska’s award-winning menu, these snacks go beyond satisfying hunger—they embody brand identity and hospitality.
Whether you prefer timeless cookies or gourmet bites, the top inflight snacks from U.S. airlines prove that even small touches can leave a lasting impression at 35,000 feet.