Alaska Airlines returns hot meals to the skies for customers in Main Cabin and Premium Class. Beginning today, passengers traveling in Premium Class and Main Cabin on (most) flights over 1,100 miles will have up to five options on-board with at least one hot meal choice.
If you’re interested in a hot meal on board, be sure to peruse the menu in advance as hot meals are only available for pre-order.
Alaska’s Managing Director of Guest Products, Todd Traynor-Corey, had this to say about the new offerings:
“We’re known for an inflight menu that is more thoughtfully curated with care. For a while now, our guests have often asked us if we’re ever going to bring back hot meals in the Main Cabin. It’s been difficult to keep it a secret – but for more than a year, our team has quietly worked behind the scenes taste testing the best hot food options with our culinary chef and creating a West Coast-inspired menu. Now no matter where they sit, guests will get to taste our world class food and beverages.”
Todd Traynor-Corey, Managing Director of Guest Products
What’s on the Menu?
Alaska has introduced four new hot meal offerings as part of this rollout. The dishes offered will depend on the time of day and your direction of travel. The current meals, routes, and times are below.
| Dish | Route (Time) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Carnitas Breakfast Bowl | Eastbound flights and to Hawaii (Breakfast departures) | Slow-roasted pulled pork and salsa verde, with a side of breakfast potatoes and fresh scrambled eggs |
| Monte Cristo Breakfast Sandwich | Westbound flights and from Hawaii (Breakfast departures) | Smoked turkey breast, sliced ham & Swiss cheese served on a square croissant bun with cream cheese & raspberry jam |
| Panang Curry Chicken | Eastbound flights and to Hawaii (Lunch/Dinner departures) | Red coconut curry with grilled chicken breast and jasmine rice. Topped with edamame beans, sweet red peppers and onions |
| Pretzel Roll Sliders with Chips | Westbound flights and from Hawaii (Lunch/Dinner departures) | Two Angus beef patties on KING’S HAWAIIAN® Original Sweet Pretzel Slider Buns with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese. Served with kettle-style chips. |
All of the pre-order menu items are priced between $8.00 and $11.50. Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 100k members are able to pre-order one complimentary meal or snack when traveling in Main Cabin on flights where food is served.
The airline gave employees a chance to taste test the new options prior to their release and here’s what they had to say.
“I love breakfast, so the Carnitas Breakfast Bowl was my favorite. It’s a classic pairing of slow roasted pork, eggs and potatoes, but with flavors that work well together to strike a delicious balance”
Naomi S.G., Alaska Flight Attendant
“I’m from Hawaiʻi and once you said it was on KING’S HAWAIIAN® slider buns, I was sold! It’s definitely not your traditional burger – it has an elevated, well-rounded taste.”
Krystal G. Alaska Flight Attendant
A burger in the air is a bold choice though I appreciate the fact that the airline is paring it with chips instead of fries. The fries that came with my burger on a recent United flight were terrible as it is difficult to keep them crisp.
In the press release photos, all of the four available meals look delicious. I’m curious to hear from travelers about the various offerings they try during their travels.
Summary
Alaska is returning hot meal options for passengers in Main Cabin and Premium Class on most flights over 1,100 miles. Passengers will now have more options regardless of their class of service. I’m excited to see how these meals are received as more passengers have the opportunity to experience them.
