Delta Air Lines has decided to cancel all food and beverage services on approximately 450 daily flights starting from May 19, a move that is expected to bring some changes to the in-flight experience for passengers on short-haul routes. Snacks, drinks or meals will no longer be available in Delta Economy and Delta Plus on flights under 349 miles, marking a significant expansion from Delta’s previous 250-mile cutoff.
Delta Air Lines comments on its new policy
The policy shift affects several high-traffic short-haul routes, including flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Delta Air Lines confirmed that customers flying 350 miles or more will continue to receive the airline’s full menu of snacks and beverages.
“Starting May 19, Delta will adjust its inflight beverage service to create a more consistent experience across the network. Customers flying 350 miles or more in Delta Comfort+ and Delta Home will now receive full beverage and snack service, while meal service will no longer be available on shorter flights, with the exception of Delta First Class, which always receives full service,” a Delta spokesperson told PEOPLE.
“Even on the few flights where there is no beverage service, our cabin crew will continue to remain visible, available and focused on taking care of our passengers, as they do on every flight.”
Stewardess explains
The latest changes have been Reddit postPhotos of a woman claiming to be a Delta Airlines flight attendant have taken center stage.
About a year ago, crews were expected to begin “final descent” procedures at an altitude of 18,000 feet, rather than the traditional 10,000 feet for many airlines, according to a Reddit post. This means that flight attendants must exit service early to ensure the carts are secure, the cabin is ready, and seats are in place well in advance of landing.
“Starting June 2, FA will begin final descent cabin preparations at 18,000 feet instead of 10,000 feet. Yes, we need to complete all final preparations by then. That means stowing laptops and carry-on luggage as well as upright seats and tray tables. Please don’t give us a hard time. Our turbulence damage has increased and they expect us to be seated and buckled before 10,000 feet. Thank you for your understanding,” the post read. However, it’s unclear whether the post has hinted at changes in snack policy.
On Reddit, some travelers mocked the move. “In other news, Delta will start flying at a maximum altitude of 17,999 feet,” one commenter joked. “With this cool trick, they can save a lot of money on Biscoff cookies.”
Crew Defense Policy
Many flight attendants have pushed back against criticism online, arguing that the earlier cabin closure was directly related to turbulence safety concerns.
One crew member said they had broken their legs due to severe turbulence during the flight before, while others explained that the turbulence was felt much more intensely at the rear of the plane during descent compared to the front.
Frequent fliers point out that on many flights, earlier preparation times may only shave about five minutes off cabin service. Still, the changes are becoming more apparent to travelers looking to refill their drinks or use their laptops for a few more minutes before landing.
Travelers may notice a different onboard experience
Delta has not offered meal service on flights under 250 miles since 2015, before the airline introduced a “quick service” model in 2017 for flights under 349 miles. The latest changes eliminate inflight service entirely on many routes.
