Best Airlines for Free In-Flight Snacks

Plane food is a topic that has been debated by travellers for as long as meal services have been available on flights. As the price of flights continues to rise sky-high, many airlines have become known for squeezing passengers for all they’re worth – be it extra luggage fees or in-flight amenity requests. When it comes to snacks, however, some airlines go the extra mile to provide passengers with excellent nibbles throughout their journey. Below, we take a look at the airlines with the best free in-flight snacks this summer.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic is known for taking customer service seriously – particularly when it comes to its snack offerings. Economy passengers are provided with a welcome drink and moreish Indulge corn bites upon boarding the plane. Later in the flight, cabin crew hand out Pip organic ice lollies. If passengers get hungry between snack and meal services, a range of on-demand snacks is available from McVities chocolate biscuits to Walkers shortbread and Pipers crisps. Premium economy passengers have access to the “Wander Wall” – an area in the galley where passengers can help themselves to snacks and drinks. In Upper Class, passengers can enjoy fresh fruit and treats such as Popchips, Savoursmiths crisps, Basil & Garlic olives, and H!p oat milk chocolate. One of the highlights of Virgin’s snack service is the packs of Love Heart sweets that are handed out to all passengers just before landing.

Qantas

This Australian airline prides itself on showcasing some of the country’s favourite snacks to travellers flying with Qantas. On long-haul flights, there is a “movie service” which includes nibbles of cheese and crackers, warm toasties, fresh fruit, crisps and salsa, pretzels, and of course Australian goodies from Tim Tams to Byron Bay Cookies. After each meal service, passengers are offered hot chocolate with marshmallows and Magnums (on Airbus A380 and Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft).

British Airways

This summer, British Airways has teamed up with a local ice cream brand to offer a delectable treat for travellers. Passengers can choose between flavours including vanilla, strawberries and cream, chocolate, and salted caramel. This delightful ice cream experience is available for customers flying in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy).

Delta Airlines

For every flight over 400 miles, Delta Airlines provides all passengers with complimentary snacks. Options include cheddar-flavoured Sunchips, organic energy bars from Kate’s Real Food, and roasted almonds from Nuts.com. However, the airline is particularly known for its iconic Lotus Biscoff cookies, having served them in flights since the mid-1980s, distributing approximately 80 to 85 million Biscoff cookies per year. Delta also offers free teas, coffees (including Starbucks branded), and soft drinks on any flight.

United

Earlier this year, United Airlines announced that all passengers would soon be able to enjoy free snacks on their flights. From March 2023, the airline launched a new Undercover Snacks menu, facilitating several complimentary snack choices for economy passengers on all domestic flights over 300 miles long. Travellers can choose between dark chocolate and sea salt chocolate crisps, apple and mango fruit bars, and a savoury snack mix of rye bagel chips, garlic bread bites, and pretzel twists. Although this new menu replaces the previous selection of pretzels and Biscoff cookies, United Airlines continues to adapt their snack menu based on customer feedback.

Korean Air

The snacks from Korean Air are exceptionally unique. On mid-haul flights, economy passengers can enjoy ramen cups for free, while prestige passengers receive a freshly baked cookie. On long-haul flights, economy passengers are offered sandwiches, hot rice balls, ramen cups, bananas, crisps, biscuits, and rice crackers. First-class passengers can indulge in selections such as spicy seafood soup, noodles with black bean sauce, kimchi noodles, or beef jerky – not to mention the main meal options that are also available. Thus, Korean Air stands out as a top contender for complimentary snack offerings.