Delta cuts snacks and beverages on hundreds of flights: What travelers should know

Your next Delta flight may be lacking in Biscoff cookies and ginger ale.

Starting May 19, travelers on some Delta Air Lines flights will no longer receive complimentary snacks and beverages. Delta Main and Delta Comfort passengers will only receive service on flights over 350 miles.

“Delta is adjusting onboard beverage service to create a more consistent experience across our network,” a spokesperson said in a statement to Yahoo Finance.

But the airline still specifies: “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.”

Before you board your next Delta flight, here’s what to expect.

Which flights are losing food and beverage service?

Under the new policy beginning May 19, Delta’s express service will be discontinued, and only flights 350 miles or longer will receive full snack and beverage service. Full service includes a choice of beverages (soda, juice, mixers, etc.) and four snack options.

Already, Delta flights under 250 miles do not offer beverage service on board. Snacks and beverages are available only on flights 251 miles or longer. Shorter flights currently receive express service — which includes two snack options along with water, coffee, or tea.

On May 19, some flights that currently have express service will lose it, but others (over 350 miles) will gain full snack and beverage service.

The service loss will affect over 450 Delta flights covering 349 miles or less, which typically are only in the air for less than an hour.

These changes only apply to Delta Main and Delta Comfort seats — Delta First service won’t change on any flights.

New snack and beverage policy examples

Let’s say you’re taking a flight from Atlanta (ATL) to Jacksonville (JAX). This flight is only around 270 miles. Because it’s over 250 miles, you could previously get express coffee or tea service on your flight. But under the new policy requiring at least 350 miles, Delta Main and Delta Comfort travelers on this flight will no longer qualify for in-flight service.

A flight from New York (LGA) to Boston (BOS), on the other hand, is only about 184 miles. This flight wouldn’t receive any service under the new changes, but it also didn’t get service before, since it’s under 250 miles.

For some passengers, Delta’s new policy may actually upgrade service. If you’re flying from Atlanta (ATL) to Orlando (MCO), for example, you’ll fly about 400 miles over an hour and a half. Previously, you’d receive express service on this flight. But since it’s over 350 miles, you’ll now get full snack and beverage service, with more food and drink options in Delta Main and Delta Comfort.

How to still get free (or discounted) snacks on all Delta flights

If you don’t want to give up food and beverage service and you fly Delta often, a Delta SkyMiles credit card could help you save. Here’s a rundown of each card and how you can use each card for snacks and drinks onboard:

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

You’ll earn 20% back as a statement credit on in-flight food and beverage purchases with this card. Plus, earn 2x miles on the snacks you purchase onboard.

Read our full Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card review 

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

With the Delta SkyMiles Gold card, you can also earn 20% back as a statement credit on your in-flight purchases and get 2x miles on your Delta spending.

Read our full Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card review 

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

You’ll earn 3x miles per dollar spent on Delta with this card, in addition to the 20% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases. When you book your ticket with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum, you’ll also be added to a complimentary upgrade list (after Medallion members and Reserve cardholders). Depending on your specific flight, you may be eligible to upgrade to the Delta First cabin — which receives food and beverage service no matter the flight distance.

Read our full Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card review 

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve is the most premium Delta card option and has the greatest range of benefits. You’ll get the same 20% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases, earn 3x miles on Delta spending, and get added to a complimentary upgrade list behind only Medallion members.

This card also offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when you fly Delta — so you can get food and drinks that are offered in the lounge before you board your flight.

Read our full Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card review