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The best snacks in the sky: Here are a few of TPG's favorite airline treats

Dec. 23, 2024
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3 min read
Delta Food and Bev_Snacks
The best snacks in the sky: Here are a few of TPG's favorite airline treats
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Last year, TPG conducted a taste test of the free snacks on board the major U.S. airlines, and TPG staffers and social media followers weighed in.

Though the inflight snack options have changed since then, one thing has stayed the same: All snacks are not created equal, and some airlines are better at snacks than others.

However, we're pleased to report that some airlines have improved their overall food selection, including snacks.

Here are TPG's top economy snacks you can currently eat in the sky.

To no one's surprise, Biscoff remains the most iconic cookie in the sky in 2024. Although it broadly remains a fan favorite, it's currently available on one fewer domestic carrier.

DELTA.COM

"Delta Biscoff hits differently," TPG associate video producer Reina Lee said.

Biscoff is offered to all customers on Delta Air Lines flights and in the main cabin of American Airlines flights that are at least 250 miles long. However, United Airlines replaced Biscoff with fruit bars and savory snack mix (and a more controversial option we'll get to in a bit) when it rolled out its revamped snack menu in March.

UNITED

Speaking of United's snack overhaul, TPG senior cruise editor Erica Silverstein said, "United's options generally suck — quinoa chocolate, really?"

As a United flyer, I will step in at this point and compliment United for having options for us travelers with dietary restrictions. I personally opt for their Undercover Snacks dark chocolate and sea salt (and yes, quinoa) crisps for a low-sugar sweet option.

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However, Erica said she enjoys United's Summer Harvest snack mix, which is a blend of rye bagel chips, garlic bread bites and mini pretzel twists.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

“Savory beat sweet when it came to onboard snacks, with the most popular snacks being the complimentary Summer Harvest Savory Snack Mix," United said in a press release on Dec. 17.

TPGers also enjoy the pretzels on Southwest Airlines — specifically the Stellar Snacks Maui Monk pretzels, which are Maui onion-flavored pretzel braids that are also vegan.

MANNER.COM

Another favorite among Delta flyers is the airline's mini Sun Chips.

If you are flying on an international carrier, you'll have different snacks to choose from, such as the rice crackers on Japan Airlines and the Manner hazelnut wafer cookies on Austrian Airlines.

Bottom line

DELTA.COM

Delta is widely touted as a favorite airline among TPGers and readers alike, and its recent collaboration with Shake Shack exemplifies the reasons why.

As of this month, domestic first-class Delta flyers from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) can preselect a Shake Shack cheeseburger as their entree option on flights over 900 miles in distance.

The burger is customizable with tomato, lettuce, and ShackSauce. It comes with chips, a Caesar salad and a dark chocolate brownie.

Delta plans to expand the ShackBurger menu option to additional markets throughout 2025.

Other airlines would benefit from paying attention to Delta, which keeps fan favorites while continuing to innovate.

Related reading:

Featured image by DELTA.COM
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.