Delta adds 5 new vegetarian meals to its inflight menu

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.

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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.

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Impossible meatballs (Photo courtesy of Impossible Foods)

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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.

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.

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(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

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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)