The week of February 7th 2016 brings exciting news: passengers flying economy class on many domestic carriers will – finally – get their free snacks back!
When snacks vanished, we at MunchPak can tell you it was a disappointing day for travelers. Whether you are flying to visit loved ones, to go to school or for business, having a snack while you are on the go is not just a convenience. It is a way that airlines show they care about you being comfortable and that your basic needs are being met. After all, while you are tens of thousands of miles up in the air, it’s not as if you can go search out snacks on your own!
On United Airlines they have started to serve a caramel-filled waffle style cookie, also called a “stroopwafel.” This is offered on their flights within North America and Latin America.
Other airlines are jumping on the delicious bandwagon and providing yummy snacks as well. American Airlines is offering a snack mix on all flights after quarter of 10am. But we know it will make you smile to know that snack-friendly Southwest Airlines and JetBlue have already offered snacks on their flights and will simply continue to do so.
Now it may be frustrating to get on a flight and realize that there is no snack to be seen. But it can be a big budget item for some airlines. For now, Continental Airlines does not offer snacks (they stopped in 2011) and this has saved them $2.5 million each year.
One of the challenges we can see right away about an airline offering a snack is simply trying to please everyone. After all, there are so many different types of snack cravings and tastes. Some prefer crunchy, sweet, creamy, salty, nutty or something else. To come up with a snack that is going to make everyone on board smile can truly be a challenge. You have to accept that some are going to truly enjoy the on board snack and others may not appreciate it, simply because it is not their snacking preference.
But for airlines to return to offering snacks we think this says wonderful things about their welcoming hospitality. Even if they do not pick the perfect snack for you, they are trying to satisfy you and this gesture says a lot. To make airline travelers comfortable and to keep your tummy from rumbling at the same time, don’t forget to say “Thank you!” when you receive your on board snack.
If you have specific snack preferences – such as crunchy or salty snacks – then do what MunchPak-ers have been known to do while they are often on-the-go and pack your own snack or two. Depending on the length of your flight, you might want a couple of snacks to choose from. So you can be confident you’ll always have a snack that you enjoy. And you can give the on board snack a try if you wish to!
