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 A Surge of Airline Surcharges
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 On an evening flight from New York to Oakland recently, a sign at the gate in the JetBlue terminal read "Last Stop for Food." Though I hadn't given dinner much thought, the cutesy reminder got my attention and I quickly began weighing my dining options. Luckily, the JetBlue terminal at JFK has lots of them.
On the flight, there was no meal, as expected, but snacks were passed out on three separate occasions along with standard beverage service. Still, I noticed my seatmate eyeing my ham and Swiss on a French baguette longingly.
On the way back to New York, this time from San Diego, there was no sign, no warning that the only food available for the next five hours would be cookies and chips. If you're a leisure traveler, you may not know that the majority of the airlines, including some of the majors, no longer offer free meals on domestic flights. The policy of BYO (bring your own or buy your own -- read more from Traveler's Ed) isn't a new one, but options vary among the airlines. If you'd like to be prepared for what food (or lack thereof) will be available to you on your next flight, see below for a roundup of what's available on some of the most popular airlines.
If you're flying in business or first class (except on very short flights), or on an international flight, you can usually assume there will be a variety of dining options. However, it's always worth checking ahead.
Tip: Though some airlines do accept credit cards, many require cash and exact change is appreciated.
AirTran
AirTran does not serve any meals, but offers complimentary coffee, juices, Coca-Cola products and snacks on all flights. Cocktails, beer and wine are $6 on all flights.
American Airlines
 American Airlines offers individually packaged snacks for $3 - $4 each on U.S. and Canadian flights that are two hours or longer. On flights over three hours within the U.S. or to Mexico or the Caribbean, sandwiches and wraps are also available for $6. The airline recently introduced Boston Market sandwiches, which come with chips and are available for $10, on transcontinental and Hawaii flights, flights between Chicago and Los Angeles, and flights between Chicago and Miami.
Complimentary meals are offered on Europe, Latin America, Japan and some Mexico flights longer than four hours within traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner meal windows.
Continental
On domestic flights (excluding Hawaii) or flights to Canada, the Caribbean or Latin American resort destinations that last over two hours, Continental serves an appropriate meal and snack on the following timetable:
Breakfast/Snack: 7 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Lunch/Snack: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Dinner/Snack: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
If your flight is not during the scheduled breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, a light snack may be offered on flights longer than three hours in economy class. Beverages are always complimentary.
Delta
On flights less than 450 miles (about one hour), Delta offers one complimentary snack (no choice). On flights ranging from 450 to 749 miles (about 1 - 1.5 hours), you'll be given a choice of snack. On flights ranging from 750 to 1,024 miles (about 1.5 - 2 hours), you'll be given a choice of snacks as well as a range of other snacks for purchase (prices range from $2 - $3). On flights longer than 1,025 miles (about two hours), you'll have your choice of complimentary snack as well as a menu of meal items ranging in price from $3 to $8.
Complimentary meal service is given on Alaska and Hawaii flights longer than five hours. Complimentary non-alcoholic drinks are offered on all flights, while a $7 charge applies to all alcoholic beverages in economy class on Delta and Delta Connection flights.
Frontier
Frontier offers a selection of snacks, sandwiches and salads ranging from $3 to $7. Not all options will be available on all flights. For shorter flights, only beverages are available. Non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary on all flights, while alcoholic drinks are available for $6 each.
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