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Fresh fare, full beverage service: Alaska Airlines further expands food and drink offerings for passengers

July 31, 2021
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3 min read
Alaska-FC-Meal
Fresh fare, full beverage service: Alaska Airlines further expands food and drink offerings for passengers
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Editor's Note

This post has been updated with additional information. 



Like other U.S. carriers, Alaska Airlines scaled back meals and drinks on most flights early during the pandemic, limiting onboard interactions while enabling the airline to conserve some much-needed cash.

Now, after the airline restored some service on flights to and from Hawaii and expanded offerings on other routes as well, many Alaska Airlines flyers will begin to experience a level of onboard service on par with what you might have expected before the pandemic.

As of July 31, freshly prepared hot meal options will be available in first class on transcontinental flights and snacks may be pre-ordered for select passengers, along with full beverage service available in all cabins.

Alaska is once again offering hot meals on transcon flights. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines)

First-class passengers on all transcontinental and Hawaii flights will have their choice of two entrees or a fruit and cheese platter. Meanwhile, on all other flights longer than 1,100 miles, first-class flyers will get their choice of two hot meal entrees, including seasonal entree options such as Guajillo Chile-Lime Salad with a roasted lemon crema and Miso Marinated Cod in a sesame-miso butter sauce.

First-class passengers on flights between 670 and 1,100 miles will be served full tray service meals, including Schoenwald porcelain and compostable linen and silverware and have a choice between two cold entrees or a signature fruit & cheese plate.

Economy and Premium Class flyers will be able to pre-order snacks and fresh-food options, including picnic packs on flights longer than 670 miles. Passengers on flights over 1,100 miles can choose from a fruit and cheese platter, ham and egg wrap at breakfast, or a smoked turkey sandwich in the afternoon and evening.

Fresh meal boxes are available for pre-order up to two weeks before a flight. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines)

Fresh food can be pre-ordered up to two weeks before a flight and up to one hour before departure, while picnic packs can be reserved up to an hour in advance. Some may be available on the cart as well.

Alaska Airlines will continue to offer an extensive selection of alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages available in all cabins with multiple cart services on flights more than 1,100 miles. Passengers onboard can expect West Coast-inspired beers, wines and premium spirits, as well as Starbucks Coffee, Teavana Tea and soda, in all cabins on flights more than 400 miles.

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Alcohol is free in first class and Premium Class, while economy flyers can make touchless payments via a stored card, or they can hand over a credit card to pay onboard if they prefer.

Alaska has also resumed its onboard recycling program, helping keep cans, cups and paper products out of landfills. The airline also recently began rolling out boxed water on many flights to further reduce waste.

Additional reporting by Juan Ruiz.

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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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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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.