Getting ready to plan a Hawaii vacation? We expect more Cheap Flights to Hawaii for spring travel (now until June) will be released in the coming week. Please stay tuned. In the meantime, here’s at look at free airline food on Hawaii flights and what you can look forward to (or not) on your upcoming Hawaii vacation.
Until recently, with the exception of Hawaiian Airlines, there had been a huge gap of time during which most airlines offered no free meals or snacks, even on long flights to Hawaii. American Airlines and United Airlines for example hadn’t offered free snacks in coach (let alone free meals) for almost a decade, but things are evolving in this highly competitive and lucrative airline market. Hawaii is among popular destinations where we will see positive changes in this regard.
Flights to Hawaii with Complimentary Food in 2019
American Airlines. American’s Dallas to/from Hawaii flights now feature free meals in economy together with beer or wine for adults.
Delta Airlines offers complimentary meals on flights between Atlanta and Honolulu and Minneapolis and Honolulu. Together with free beer, wine and spirits for adults.
Hawaiian Airlines remains the long-term standout with regards to food when flying to and from Hawaii. They have always offered snacks plus meals including wine on all trans-Pacific flights at meal times. Previous hot meals have transformed largely into sandwich offerings. In addition, a free Koloa Rum punch is served to adults on flights to Hawaii.
United Airlines, is experimenting with free food on Hawaii flights in economy. Flights to/from Houston this month have featured free sandwiches in coach. To us these were similar in appearance to those offered by Hawaiian Airlines. United said, “we are continuously looking at ways we can improve the customer experience.”
Flights to Hawaii with Complimentary Snacks in 2019
Alaska Airlines has snacks with their drink service that typically consists of cookies and/or pretzels. Adults enjoy a free Mai Tai en route to Hawaii.
American Airlines offers choice of Biscoff cookies or pretzels with their beverage service in economy on all flights to Hawaii except Dallas.
Delta Airlines flights from the west coast to Hawaii have a choice of cheese crackers, Almonds, Chocolate bars or Biscoff cookies provided with their beverage service.
Southwest Airlines is offering a two snack food service on Hawaii flights. The first consists of crackers, pretzels, cheese spread, Tic-Tacs and fruit snacks. The second consists of Pepperidge Farm cookies.
United Airlines, like American, has restored snack service after a long lapse, is experimenting with free food on Hawaii flights in economy as seen above.
Latest on Airline Food Quality | Focus on Hawaii Flights
If you’re undecided on whether or not to indulge, you might just want to take a peek at recent airline food news (click title above).
What’s Up Next
Beat of Hawaii’s take: It remains likely that all airlines will restore meal service on routes to and from Hawaii in the not too distant future.
Updated 4/22/19.
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Does United airlines from Houston to Honolulu serve food or drinks
It’s certainly a change in the right direction when airlines begin offering anything that you don’t have to pay extra for. That noted, remember it is airline food. My recent experience with a Hawaiian Airlines sandwich was not a good one. I do like hearing there are some free beer and wine offerings on some carriers …it’s harder to screw that up. Let’s hope this is a step in the right direction. Offer services gratis to please the customer and gain their loyalty. What a concept!
I love flying Hawaiian Airlines. It’s the experience. It starts with boarding with soft Hawaiian music playing, being welcomed by the crew in Aloha wear and flowers, and of course the free drinks. The meals are much appreciated and are yummy. Mostly, I love the pilots. One year the pilot got us there an hour and a half early much to everyone’s surprise and the extra time was spent having lunch on the beach, something we wouldn’t have had the time for otherwise. I fly Alaska as well and sure, the nonstop flights are great, but Hawaiian is just… date I say comfy?? Can’t wait until May and my first trip to Big Island. Mahalo for the article I’m looking forward to my Koloa rum punch now! Aloha!
Recent visitors (I live in Kona) and myself haven’t had the free Mai Tais on Alaska in the past year. Hopefully those are back!
We just took a lovely trip to Oahu a few weeks ago.
With Alaska Airlines we flew from MCI in KC, MO with a connecting flight in San Diego. We did not get our free Mai Tai from San Diego with Alaska but did get a Biscoff cookie. Had to pay for a snack/meal & adult beverage, all in coach.
We took American Airlines on the way back and got a complimentary wrap (they offered vegetarian, which was nice!) almost immediately after takeoff, in coach, as well as a complimentary adult beverage. We also, of course, got a Biscoff cookie and regular drinks.
I forgot to mention our connection was in Dallas on the way back with American Airlines.
Do you know if Delta also serves free meals on the flight from Kona to Minneapolis? Thank you!
Hi Daniella.
As far as we know yes they are. The only recent Delta flight we did not have meal service on was an overnight flight to the west coast.
Aloha.
Hello! Thank you so much for your fantastic articles. They have been a major help. I am planning a family trip for 5 people to Maui and Kauai in mid October of this year from the bay area. When would be a good time to purchase? And best price point? Thank you for any help you can provide!
Hi Merrell.
Your questions are answered in great detail in the post Cheapest Time to Fly to Hawaii. Please have a look and let us know if you need any further clarification.
Aloha.
Planning a trip to Oahu from Los Angeles in Mid August. Any predictions on when the best rates will be available, please? Thank you! Ruth
Hi Ruth.
Improved prices for mid-August on could appear at any time. Suggest waiting with target price of $500 or less.
Aloha.
Flew Hawaiin 2012 from jfk,very impressed.Flying back May this year again Hawaiin from Jfk.This time we are upgrading to comfort plus,looking forward to it.Maholo
Traveled from Minneapolis to Honolulu on Feb. 1 on Delta (A330) and received full meal and drinks, much to my surprise.
The quality and convenience of the audio/visual impacts my choice. Flying United, I have to hold my iPhone for hours to watch a movie on a tiny screen, compared to the relative comfort of seatback sets. If traveling for pleasure, I do not bring my lap top and I don’t own a tablet, so the overall quality for United is sub par. However, last time I flew Delta from LAX to LIH, they did have seatback on demand movies.
If traveling domestically, especially with Hawaiian’s soon to be launched direct LIH-Mainland flights, I will always choose Hawaiian. But traveling abroad, I typically have to choose between United, Delta and American. I choose Delta.
David, please be aware that Hawaiian’s entertainment system is via you phone, table or computer. The good think is that there is a device holder on the seat in front of you so you won;t have to hold your phone the entire trip. Make sure you download the Hawaiian app if you want to access the entertainment (including in-flight music).
Just flew Egyptian Airlines and all of the above mentioned airlines could take a lesson from them in terms of seat comfort, customer service and absolutely delicious – and free – meals. Good to hear the pendulum may be swinging in the right direction though.
How about we just drop fares in concert with world oil & jet fuel costs?
Alaska has always and continues to offer free snacks on all flights. Their catered meals available for purchase are actually pretty decent too in my experience.