Hawaiian Airlines ends free meals for main cabin passengers
Hawaiian Airlines is ending complimentary meals for most main cabin passengers flying between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland and replacing them with a new pre-order menu. Instead of receiving a free meal onboard, main cabin passengers will now be able to purchase food before their flight.
Travelers can place orders through the airline's website or mobile app up to two weeks before departure. They have as late as 20 hours before takeoff to place their orders.
According to Hawaiian Airlines, meals will be prepared within 12 hours of departure to ensure freshness. The goal, they say, is to offer more variety than a single complimentary meal can provide.
To help build the new menu, the airline partnered with Sheldon Simeon, a James Beard Award finalist known for restaurants like Tin Roof and Tiffany's. The breakfast lineup includes coconut overnight oats for $10.99, corned beef hash and eggs, and banana pancakes for $15.99. Lunch and dinner options include an Italian sub with mac salad for $12.49, crispy mochiko chicken with garlic noodles for $16.99.
The menu also includes plant-based and gluten-free choices, something travelers have increasingly requested.
Not everything is going away
The change doesn't mean every complimentary onboard perk disappears. Hawaiian says passengers will still receive a welcome beverage, complimentary snacks, and a sweet treat before landing.
The airline is also bringing in new local snack partners, including products from Anahola Granola and Diamond Bakery. So while the full meal may now cost extra, the airline is keeping some of the touches that helped distinguish its onboard experience.
However, there is one exception to the new system. Hawaii residents enrolled in Hawaiian's Huakaʻi loyalty program will get a chance to try the new system for free at launch.
Members who order meals for upcoming trips after the rollout will automatically receive their first two menu selections at no charge as part of a limited-time promotion.
Source: Hawaii News Now, AOL
