Transportation

Delta cutting free snacks, drinks on hundreds of flights

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by Sarah Fortinsky - 05/05/26 3:44 PM ET

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by Sarah Fortinsky - 05/05/26 3:44 PM ET

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Delta Air Lines will soon end its free snack and drink service for most passengers on flights shorter than 350 miles.

The change comes amid growing cost pressures on the airline industry amid the war in Iran, which has spurred rising airfares and increased fees for checked bags and other services.

But a spokesperson for Delta told The Hill the changes are unrelated to rising jet fuel prices, noting the airline is expanding service on more flights than it is cutting.

Starting May 19, about 9 percent of Delta’s up to 5,500 daily flights — those between 250 miles and 350 miles — will offer no service in the economy cabin, a company spokesperson said Tuesday.

Flights shorter than 250 miles already receive no service, and all flights shorter than 350 miles are less than an hour in the air.

The major U.S. air carrier will also transition flights between 350 miles and 500 miles to full service, offering all beverages and four snack options. Those flights comprise 14 percent of Delta’s daily routes.

Previously, the airline offered economy cabin passengers on flights between 250 and 500 miles an “express service,” which included water, coffee, tea and two snack options.

By eliminating the “express service,” the airline aims to “create a more consistent experience across our network.”

“Customers traveling in Delta Comfort and Delta Main on flights 350 miles and above will now receive full beverage and snack service, while shorter flights will no longer offer food and beverage service—with the exception of Delta First which always receives full service,” the airline’s statement read.

“Even on the small number of flights without beverage service, our crew will continue to be visible, available, and focused on caring for our customers, like they do on every flight,” the statement continued.

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