How Much Do Airlines Really Spend on In-Flight Meals?

Airplane food has a reputation for leaving something to be desired. While certain airlines go above and beyond for first- and business-class passengers, there’s a good chance that the average economy passenger may feel underwhelmed by the food they’re served. But the truth is that airplane food is a multibillion-dollar industry, which begs the question: Just how much do airlines spend on in-flight meals? Though some details are shrouded in secrecy, here’s what we’ve uncovered about the true cost of airplane food.

The Average Cost of In-Flight Meals

In 2015, Condé Nast Traveler analyzed data provided by the 10 largest domestic airlines to the U.S. Department of Transportation and found that those airlines spent an average of $3.61 per meal per passenger. This marked a steep decline from the late 1990s, when the cost was closer to $4.79 per meal. 

According to the magazine’s analysis, spending on in-flight catering reached a nadir back in 2007, when airlines were spending just $3.30 for the average in-flight dish. Much of that has to do with service cutbacks: Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the financial effects on the industry, airlines started to eliminate free in-flight meals — Continental Airlines (which later merged with United) was the last U.S. airline to provide complimentary meals in economy class on U.S. domestic flights. 

The DOT data from 2015 also showed that American Airlines spent the most of the 10 major airlines, with an average cost of $6.43 per meal, closely followed by United at $6.08 and Delta at $5.36. At the other end of the spectrum, JetBlue spent $1.39 per meal, while budget airline Spirit shelled out just 26 cents per passenger. (At the time, both airlines offered snacks, not full meals, but JetBlue has since introduced a business-class product called Mint, which comes with hot meals.)

Of course, those numbers were published a decade ago, and prices for everything have shot up in that time. That said, up-to-date data can be difficult to come by. A 2019 article in The Points Guy travel blog cited industry sources who stated that U.S. airlines pay as little as $4 for the average economy meal, between $25 and $30 for business class meals, and upwards of $100 for a multicourse, first-class dining experience. 

Meanwhile, a 2024 article for the travel blog Simple Flying showed a slight increase over those numbers, claiming economy-class meals cost between $5 and $15 per passenger, while business class runs between $30 and $50. First class may cost upwards of $100 per meal, though certain special offerings prepared by globally renowned chefs may run the airline as much as $300 per meal.

Who Provides Airline Food?

With billions of dollars being spent annually on airline food, it’s natural to wonder where all that money is going. There are several companies that specialize in airline catering, such as Gate Gourmet or LSG Sky Chefs. Since our taste buds are dulled at higher altitudes, airline food needs to be prepared differently, often with more spices. These catering companies have the training, knowledge, and resources to try to make sure the food tastes halfway decent in the air.

Some airlines have also partnered with famous chefs and major restaurants as part of a larger effort to attract customers. For instance, Delta Airlines and Shake Shack now provide the chain’s signature hamburgers to Delta’s first-class passengers in select markets. And in 2025, Seattle-based Alaska Airlines is rolling out an exclusive collaboration with West Coast chefs such as James Beard Award winner Brady Ishiwata Williams. While there are no publicly known details as to what these collaborations cost the airline, the potential increase may be worth it to attract new passengers.

Which Airlines Have the Most Expensive In-Flight Food?

These days, U.S. airlines offer complimentary meals only on longer international flights, but they offer food for sale on shorter domestic flights. However, prices vary across airlines.

A 2023 analysis conducted by Finance Buzz determined that JetBlue tops the list of the 10 biggest U.S. airlines, charging $13 for an average entree. Delta was next up at $12 per entree, followed by Alaska at $10.50 and United at $9. Some airlines — such as Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United — offer free packaged snacks and soft drinks, while budget carriers such as Allegiant, Frontier, and Spirit charge for just about everything aboard — even bottled water.

When it comes to alcohol, passengers pay an average cost of $10.61 per boozy beverage on Spirit, which is the highest of any of the 10 airlines that were analyzed. United, American, and JetBlue all charged an average price of $9, while Southwest charged the least for alcoholic beverages in 2023 — an average of $6.67 per drink.

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