When I first began flying with Alaska Airlines, hot meals for purchase were standard fare in back of the plane. However, the option was eliminated after the airline began integrating Virgin America’s aircraft into their fleet. But, now, hot meals return to Alaska Air Main Cabin, and boy do they look good!
Way back in 2016, my first flights on Alaska Airlines were from Honolulu to New York JFK via Seattle. At the time, the airline partnered with Seattle-based celebrity chef Tom Douglas to craft their onboard dining options. While the meals weren’t free like they were on Hawaiian, I remember enjoying what I had ordered and found it to be far more substantial than what Hawaiian had to offer.
Of course, Alaska then made a successful bid to acquire Virgin America. In doing so, they not only received a fleet of Airbus aircraft. However, it wasn’t just the aircraft type that was different. While Virgin offered trendy interiors with IFE-driven on-demand service, their planes lacked ovens, meaning that hot meals in Main Cabin weren’t possible. As such, Alaska Air decided to stop offering hot meal options in the back of the plane across the board. The move was to standardize offerings across their fleet and, presumably, to save money.
However, hot meals return to Alaska Air Main Cabin, in a surprising, yet welcome change that should stick around even after they close on their acquisition of Hawaiian.
Hot Meals Return to Alaska Air Main Cabin!
In an announcement on their website yesterday, the 49th State’s carrier heralded that hot meals return to Alaska Air Main Cabin! That’s fantastic, as to my knowledge, that makes Alaska the only airline that now gives you the option of purchasing a hot meal when you’re sitting in the back. Moreover, the hot options don’t cost any more than the cold ones! Sure, Hawaiian serves a free hot meal in Main Cabin, but in my experience, they’ve very lackluster and not very satiating.
As hot meals return to Alaska Air Main Cabin, they’re providing a total of four options – two for breakfast flights and two for the rest of the day, though only one option will be available depending on your direction of travel. That said, breakfast is served on departures from 5 am to 10 am, while lunch/dinner options are available on departures between 10 am to 9 pm. Of course, like the cold options, these new hot dishes are only available on flights of 1,100 miles or more, and all Hawaii flights.
With that out of the way, let’s go over what these four dishes are.
Carnitas Breakfast Bowls
Available on eastbound flights and flights to Hawai’i departing between 5 am and 10 am, and consists of slow-roasted pull pork and salsa verde, with a side of breakfast potatoes and fresh scrambled eggs. This option costs $11.50.
Monte Cristo Breakfast Sandwich
Available on westbound flights and flights from Hawai’i departing between 5 am and 10 am, and consists of smoked turkey breast, sliced ham & Swiss cheese served on a square croissant bun with cream cheese & raspberry jam. This option costs $10.50.
Penang Curry Chicken
Available on eastbound flights and flights to Hawai’i departing between 10 am and 9 pm, and consists of red coconut curry with grilled chicken breast and jasmine rice. Topped with edamame beans, sweet red peppers and onions. This option costs $11.50.
Pretzel Roll Sliders with Chips
Available on westbound flights and flights from Hawai’i departing between 10 am and 9 pm, and consists of two Angus beef patties on KING’S HAWAIIAN® Original Sweet Pretzel Slider Buns with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese. Served with kettle-style chips. This option costs $11.50.
Considerations
As hot meals return to Alaska Air Main Cabin, there are important considerations to keep in mind. For example, meals will not be available on red-eye flights, while they may not be available on flights that should otherwise qualify due to unavailability of catering at certain airports. Further, as is the case with all cold options right now, all hot meals must be pre-ordered at least 24 hours before your flight’s departure time. These purchases do also qualify for the Alaska Air Visa’s 20% in-flight purchase statement credit.
Hot Meals Return to Alaska Air Main Cabin, Final Thoughts
It’s great that hot meals return to Alaska Air Main Cabin, though I do wish that they had at least a couple of options per meal instead of locking you into a single one based on time and direction of travel. But, at least Alaska continues to offer four cold lunch/dinner options, as well as a breakfast protein platter in the morning for flights of the same length. Flights of 750 miles or more also get access to Alaska’s famous fruit & cheese platter, along with their Jetsetter’s Jam Sandwich, so you won’t be wanting for options.
That said, I do hope that Hawaiian gains some for-purchase options in the post-merger version of the airline. Yes, keep the free option, but let us pay for something better, too.