Delta Air Lines Is Bringing Free Meals Back to Coach

Delta Air Lines is officially bringing free back meals to coach, starting with a few routes.

The airline announced today that complimentary meals will be offered on some of its longest domestic flights—namely routes between New York’s John F. Kennedy airport and Los Angeles, and between JFK and San Francisco. According to Delta, it's the only U.S. airline to offer free meals "from nose to tail" on select domestic routes. The offer begins March 1.

But if you're not flying to any of those cities, don't fret: Delta has plans to expand the program. According to the airline, on April 24, complimentary meals will also be available in the main cabin between Boston and SFO, LAX and Seattle; between JFK and Portland International, San Diego and Seattle; between Seattle and Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Raleigh-Durham; and between Washington Reagan National and LAX.

Meal options will depend on what time of day it is. In the morning Delta will offer its customers a honey maple breakfast sandwich, breakfast medley, or a fruit and cheese plate. And around lunch, travelers can choose between a mesquite-smoked turkey combo, a Mediterranean whole grain veggie wrap, or a fruit and cheese plate.

The decision comes after Delta conducted a pilot test in December of last year. For a few months, the airline monitored customer satisfaction scores "to determine the impact on the in-flight experience," the company said at the time. Clearly, customers were pleased with the free food.

“We are all about making our Main Cabin experience the best it can be for our customers and offering free, high quality meals is a big part of that experience,” Delta said in a statement. “When we tested this concept, our customers loved it and appreciated it so we are implementing in our most strategic markets."