If you judge airlines the way fans judge opening acts, snacks and coffee can make or break the vibe. A recent poll of 556 travelers ranks the best and worst food and drinks on U.S. and international flights.
Delta won the economy snack crown. Fans loved Cheez-Its, Biscoff, SunChips Minis and MadeGood granola bars. Delta grabbed about 30% of the vote, beating JetBlue and Southwest. It also scored points for higher-protein snack options that work for travelers on GLP-1 meds.
Coffee gets real attention up in the air. Overall, Delta’s Starbucks took the top spot. But frequent flyers favored Alaska’s Stumptown — its Holler Mountain blend was made with high-altitude taste changes in mind. JetBlue’s Dunkin’ coffee landed near the bottom.
On the international and premium side, Emirates is the headliner. Travelers picked Emirates for best business-class meal, best business-class breakfast, best economy meal and best onboard cocktail program. Its restaurant-style dining and onboard lounge on some A380s helped seal the deal.
Not everyone scored well. Over 32% of voters named Southwest’s economy snacks their least favorite. American Airlines also ranked low for a thin snack lineup.
Next time you fly, think of the snack cart like merch at a show. It might not change the setlist, but it can shape the whole trip.
