The best snacks in the sky: Here are TPG’s favorite airline treats

Last year, TPG conducted a taste test of the free snacks on board the major U.S. airlines, and TPG staffers and social media followers weighed in.

Though the inflight snack options have changed since then, one thing has stayed the same: All snacks are not created equal, and some airlines are better at snacks than others.

However, we’re pleased to report that some airlines have improved their overall food selection, including snacks.

Here are TPG’s top economy snacks you can currently eat in the sky.

To no one’s surprise, Biscoff remains the most iconic cookie in the sky in 2024. Although it broadly remains a fan favorite, it’s currently available on one fewer domestic carrier.

“Delta Biscoff hits differently,” TPG associate video producer Reina Lee said.

Biscoff is offered to all customers on Delta Air Lines flights and in the main cabin of American Airlines flights that are at least 250 miles long. However, United Airlines replaced Biscoff with fruit bars and savory snack mix (and a more controversial option we’ll get to in a bit) when it rolled out its revamped snack menu in March.

Speaking of United’s snack overhaul, TPG senior cruise editor Erica Silverstein said, “United’s options generally suck — quinoa chocolate, really?”

As a United flyer, I will step in at this point and compliment United for having options for us travelers with dietary restrictions. I personally opt for their Undercover Snacks dark chocolate and sea salt (and yes, quinoa) crisps for a low-sugar sweet option.

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However, Erica said she enjoys United’s Summer Harvest snack mix, which is a blend of rye bagel chips, garlic bread bites and mini pretzel twists.

“Savory beat sweet when it came to onboard snacks, with the most popular snacks being the complimentary Summer Harvest Savory Snack Mix,” United said in a press release on Dec. 17.

TPGers also enjoy the pretzels on Southwest Airlines — specifically the Stellar Snacks Maui Monk pretzels, which are Maui onion-flavored pretzel braids that are also vegan.

Another favorite among Delta flyers is the airline’s mini Sun Chips.

If you are flying on an international carrier, you’ll have different snacks to choose from, such as the rice crackers on Japan Airlines and the Manner hazelnut wafer cookies on Austrian Airlines.

Bottom line

Delta is widely touted as a favorite airline among TPGers and readers alike, and its recent collaboration with Shake Shack exemplifies the reasons why.

As of this month, domestic first-class Delta flyers from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) can preselect a Shake Shack cheeseburger as their entree option on flights over 900 miles in distance.

The burger is customizable with tomato, lettuce, and ShackSauce. It comes with chips, a Caesar salad and a dark chocolate brownie.

Delta plans to expand the ShackBurger menu option to additional markets throughout 2025.

Other airlines would benefit from paying attention to Delta, which keeps fan favorites while continuing to innovate.

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