Seattle-based Alaska Airlines has announced it will be offering hot food to all passengers as part of its onboard catering options once again. The carrier ceased serving hot entrees to passengers in its economy/coach cabin in 2017.
Starting on May 22, 2024, both business class and economy class passengers traveling on most of the carrier’s flights over 1,100 miles (1,760 km) will be able to choose from up to five chef-curated dishes, including at least one hot meal option.
However, the new hot menu items will not be available on red-eye (overnight) flights and those where catering is not available, said the company in a statement.
Along with certain other pre-prepared food offerings such as the airline’s ‘Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter’, the hot meal choices will only be available for pre-order purchase and cannot be purchased on board flights. The new menu items result from an overhaul program of the company’s onboard galley kitchens, including the installation of new ovens, advised the airline.
Eastbound passengers (plus those flying to Hawaii from the mainland US) will have the option of a carnitas breakfast bowl, available from 05:00 to 10:00, while a spicy Panang chicken curry will be on offer from 10:00 to 21:00 daily.
According to the carrier, “Both dishes have a kick of spice to them; the carnitas breakfast bowl combines pulled pork and a green chile salsa verde with breakfast potatoes and scrambled eggs. The chicken curry pairs juicy chicken thighs with edamame and chubby strips of red bell pepper and onion in a rich, medium-spicy curry.”
Westbound passengers (including those also traveling from Hawaii) are offered a breakfast option of a Monte Cristo breakfast sandwich while the lunch/dinner option is pretzel roll sliders with corn chips.
“We’re known for an inflight menu that is more thoughtfully curated with care. For a while now, our guests have often asked us if we’re ever going to bring back hot meals in the main cabin,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, managing director of guest products at Alaska Airlines.
“It’s been difficult to keep it a secret, but for more than a year, our team has quietly worked behind the scenes taste testing the best hot food options with our culinary chef and creating a West Coast-inspired menu. Now, no matter where they sit, guests will get to taste our world-class food and beverages,” he added.
All of the new hot menu items will be available onboard selected Alaska Airlines flights between now and the end of October 2024, when the new menu will be refreshed for the upcoming winter season. The prices for the hot selections range from $10.50-$11.50.