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These US Airlines Serve the Healthiest Food on Board

Nov. 26, 2018
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2 min read
Meal served on board of airplane
These US Airlines Serve the Healthiest Food on Board
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What's the deal with airline food? Well, an investigation conducted by a nutrition expert might have just gotten to the bottom of it. Charles Platkin, 'diet detective' and executive director of the Hunter College Food Policy Center, has made an official ranking of the top healthiest airline foods in the US and Canada.

Looking at 11 airlines, the quality of inflight meals were scored on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being the most nutritious and 1 at the least). Platkin based his ranking on various criteria including the average amount of calories, transparency of nutritional information, improvement and innovation of the menu and food and water safety.

According to the study, the No. 1 most healthy airline cuisine is served by Alaska Airlines with a 4.25 out of 5 stars. "The clear leader this year, Alaska Airlines purchased Virgin America, (named the healthiest airline over the last few years) and has definitely taken on some of VA’s healthy approach to food," stated Platkin in his study.

TPG's Jessica Puckett flew Alaska in October and found that the healthy food on board -- particularly the protein platter -- was one of the flight's highlights.

Alaska also took TPG's top spot for the best overall airline in 2018 for the second consecutive year.

At the bottom of the list, we have Frontier Airlines. The budget airliner pulled an abysmal score of .85 out of 5 Stars and also received what Platkin penned as the "Shame on You" award. Most issues with Frontier's ranking had to do with a lack of transparency. "Frontier’s communications team didn’t do a great job responding," said Platkin. "We reached out multiple times before we finally received confirmation that nothing had changed on the airline’s menu since 2017. Additionally, Frontier did not answer the food and water safety questions."

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The rest of the ranking goes as follows:

  • Alaska Airlines (4.25 stars)
  • Delta (3.7 stars)
  • JetBlue (3.55 stars)
  • Air Canada (3.45 stars)
  • American Airlines (3 stars)
  • United Airlines (2.75 stars)
  • Hawaiian Airlines (2.65 stars)
  • Allegiant Airlines (2.1 stars)
  • Southwest Airlines (1.6 stars)
  • Spirit Airline (1.1 stars)
  • Frontier Airlines (0.85 stars)

To check out the study for yourself, click here.

Featured image by Getty Images/iStockphoto

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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
4 / 5
Go to review

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.
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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.