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Delta adds 5 new vegetarian meals to its inflight menu

March 09, 2022
3 min read
Delta Food and Bev Return (1) - Drinks Onboard
Delta adds 5 new vegetarian meals to its inflight menu
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Travelers with dietary restrictions and aversions may no longer need to order a special meal for their upcoming Delta flight.

The Atlanta-based carrier announced on Wednesday that it's adding new vegetarian and plant-based meals onboard its flights beginning in March.

The new food options will include a range of entrees, featuring Impossible Foods, Black Sheep Foods and other regionally-inspired options. (You'll find the full list of new meals at the bottom of this post.)

Delta is spinning this move as a win-win for customers and for the environment.

“Not only are plant-based meats like Impossible Burger delicious to eat, but they’re also often better for the environment, using far less land and water to produce,” said Kristen Manion Taylor, senior vice president of inflight service in a statement. “These new options are one part of Delta’s broader mission to promote a wellness-focused travel journey," she continued.

Those who prefer vegetarian and vegan foods will likely appreciate Delta's addition of non-traditional menu offerings.

Historically, vegetarians have usually needed to choose a carb-heavy pasta-based dish as their inflight meal — or pre-order a special meal (which isn't always available on domestic flights).

The new food items will be available on select flights greater than 900 miles in the first-class and Delta One cabin. The airline is currently rolling out hot, plated meals to domestic and short-haul international flights longer than 900 miles, and the new vegetarian options will be part of the phased reintroduction of hot food.

Now, the options on Delta are much more innovative and healthier for those who don't eat meat.

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While Delta is the latest airline to rollout enhanced options for those with special restrictions, JetBlue Airways recently stepped up its catering game for the Mint business-class cabin.

Along with the rollout of new options curated by New York-based Delicious Hospitality Group, JetBlue is now listing all dietary restrictions on its menus, giving those with food aversions a look at what goes into each dish.

The latest Delta catering news follows on the heels of an announcement last Friday that long-haul business-class customers will once again enjoy three-course meals, with a create-your-own ice cream sundae option available for dessert.

For more about Delta's inflight catering, be sure to check out our behind-the-scenes look at how Delta’s inflight meals are prepared.

Delta's 5 new vegetarian and vegan meals

  • Impossible burger (Served on select flights 900 miles and greater)
  • Black Sheep Food lamb meatballs (Served for a limited time on select flights 900 miles and greater departing San Francisco in partnership with Souvla)
  • Impossible meatballs (Served on select flights 900 miles and greater departing New York-JFK and LGA in partnership with Union Square Events)
  • Cauliflower cakes (Served on select flights 900 miles and greater departing Seattle)
  • Warm seasonal vegetable plate (Served on select flights 900 miles and greater)
Featured image by CHRIS RANK
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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Pros

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  • 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.