Delta to cut food service on 450 daily flights under 350 miles
Delta Air Lines will cease food and beverage service in economy and Comfort Plus on approximately 450 daily flights under 350 miles starting May 19. Passengers on short routes like LAX-SFO, JFK-BOS and ATL-CLT lose cabin refreshments while first-class and flights over 350 miles keep full menus.
1. Details of Service Cuts
Delta Air Lines will end complimentary food and beverage service for all economy and Comfort Plus passengers on flights shorter than 350 miles starting May 19, affecting about 450 daily flights. First-class travelers will continue to receive snacks and drinks on these short-hop routes.
2. Route and Flight Frequency Impact
The service removal covers key domestic routes such as Los Angeles–San Francisco, New York JFK–Boston and Atlanta–Charlotte, each under an hour in duration. Delta had previously eliminated service on flights under 250 miles in 2015 and now extends the cutoff to 350 miles.
3. Competitive and Financial Implications
With this change, Delta becomes the most restrictive among major U.S. airlines, as United still serves snacks on flights over 300 miles, while American and Southwest serve routes over 250 miles. The move aims to trim catering costs and streamline operations, but may influence customer loyalty and onboard experience.