PAY AS YOU FLY

Major Airline Snatches Free Perk Away From Passengers

The airline is revamping its in-flight menu to include a costly alternative.

Passengers flying Hawaiian Airlines may soon have to pay for a perk that used to come free. The airline announced that beginning in July, most Main Cabin travelers flying between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland will no longer automatically receive complimentary meals. Instead, passengers will be able to purchase pre-ordered dishes from a new chef-curated menu available up to two weeks before departure and as late as 20 hours before takeoff. To spearhead the overhaul, Hawaiian Airlines enlisted Maui-based chef Sheldon Simeon, who developed a menu featuring elevated local favorites including crispy mochiko chicken with garlic noodles, barbecue teriyaki chicken bento, and corned beef hash with eggs. The offerings will also include signature items inspired by Simeon’s restaurants, including his popular K mayo, teriyaki sauce, and banana bread syrup. The airline says the change was made with passengers’ preferences in mind. “By moving to a pre-order model, we’re expanding beyond a single standard meal to offer a broader menu that reflects how our guests want to dine today,” Hawaii Marketing Managing Director Alisa Onishi said in a statement. Business Class and First Class menus are also being revamped, though complimentary snacks will remain available throughout flights.