Major airline axes free economy meals, replaces with pre-order menu
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Once upon a time, it was simply a given that your airplane ticket would come with a complimentary hot meal to enjoy while on board.
These days, free food is becoming a rarity, and Hawaiian Airlines has become the latest carrier to scrap free meals in economy class.
Hawaiian Airlines is scrapping their complementary on-board meals. Hawaiian Airlines
The airline, that many Aussies use to fly to the US, announced it would cease the service of complimentary food for passengers on flights from Hawaii to the mainland US.
If you’re hungry, you won’t starve – the airline is replacing this with a pre-order menu with meals available for purchase.
The only exception to this is on planes heading to New York City from Hawaii, which has a flight time of about 10 hours.
Aussies flying from here to Hawaii will still be served complimentary meals on the first leg of the trip, but for any connecting flights (eg. the five-hour journey from Honolulu to LAX), there will be no free food.
The airline has confirmed that its pre-order menu will be more “elevated” than its previous offering, replacing toasted sandwiches with “island-inspired” meals.
These include crispy mochiko chicken with garlic noodles, barbecue teriyaki chicken bento on a bed of white rice and corned beef hash with eggs from Sheldon Simeon, a Maui-based chef.
Starting from July 1, anyone who wants to be served food on board will need to pre-order meals. Choices can be made up to two weeks before departure and 20 hours before the flight.
Many Aussies fly Hawaiian Airlines to the US. Hawaiian Airlines
According to the airline, the move aims to cut down on food and packaging waste and “align meal production with actual guest demand”.
“By moving to a pre-order model, we’re expanding beyond a single standard meal to offer a broader menu that reflects how our guests want to dine today,” said Alisa Onishi, managing director of Hawaii marketing for Hawaiian Airlines.
All passengers will still be served a free welcome beverage plus a locally made snack and sweet treat.
Free meals in economy are becoming more rare. iStockphoto
Other airlines have also recently been phasing out complimentary food in favour of ‘buy on board’ options.
Virgin Australia scrapped free meals back in 2021 for domestic flights, with passengers in economy receiving only free tea, coffee, and water.
Earlier this year, US-based carrier Delta removed all in-flight service (including meals, snacks, or drinks) on short-haul routes under 558 km.
In fact, Hawaiian was one of the last carriers in the US to offer a complimentary meal to customers travelling in economy on domestic routes.
Nine.com.au has contacted Hawaiian Airlines for comment.
