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No pretzels for you. That\u2019s what Delta is telling passengers who fly less than 350 miles starting later this month.<\/p>\n
Delta is ending free snack and beverage service in economy on short flights, affecting about 9% of its up-to-5,500 daily flights. That means routes like Los Angeles to San Francisco\u2014just under 340 miles\u2014will no longer get complimentary coffee, soda or the standard Biscoff cookies. The airline frames it as \u201ccreating a more consistent experience,\u201d but the move is a clear cost-cutting strategy none of its major competitors are copying. American Airlines offers free snacks and drinks on flights over 250 miles. United provides free drinks on all flights and snacks on routes over 300 miles. Southwest serves free drinks and snacks on select flights over 251 miles.<\/p>\n
Travel analyst Henry Harteveldt isn\u2019t buying Delta\u2019s spin. \u201cEven budget airlines sell food and beverages on their short flights,\u201d he told The New York Times<\/a>. \u201cDelta likes to claim that it\u2019s a \u2018premium\u2019 airline, but cutting out cabin service doesn\u2019t support that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n No pretzels for you. That\u2019s what Delta is telling passengers who fly less than 350 miles starting later this month.<\/p>\n Delta is ending free snack and beverage service in economy on short flights, affecting about 9% of its up-to-5,500 daily flights. That means routes like Los Angeles to San Francisco\u2014just under 340 miles\u2014will no longer get complimentary coffee, soda or the standard Biscoff cookies. The airline frames it as \u201ccreating a more consistent experience,\u201d but the move is a clear cost-cutting strategy none of its major competitors are copying. American Airlines offers free snacks and drinks on flights over 250 miles. United provides free drinks on all flights and snacks on routes over 300 miles. Southwest serves free drinks and snacks on select flights over 251 miles.<\/p>\n Travel analyst Henry Harteveldt isn\u2019t buying Delta\u2019s spin. \u201cEven budget airlines sell food and beverages on their short flights,\u201d he told The New York Times<\/a>. \u201cDelta likes to claim that it\u2019s a \u2018premium\u2019 airline, but cutting out cabin service doesn\u2019t support that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n