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Inside the Selection of Airline Snacks: How Choices are Made

On a recent domestic flight, I found myself unusually intrigued by the snack options presented. Typically, I avoid snacking on shorter journeys because by the time I unwrap my treat, it feels as though the flight is nearing its end. However, on this occasion, I opted for three different snacks during my flight. While one was disappointing and too dry, another was enjoyable, and I saved the last for my younger cousin, who loves receiving plane treats. This experience made me curious about the process behind selecting snacks for domestic flights.

According to United Airlines, their food and beverage team, along with customer experience specialists, collaborate to determine the snack selections. These choices are heavily influenced by customer feedback, popularity, and dietary considerations. Flight attendant Tiffanie Johnson mentions that the flight crew often samples potential snacks before the company finalizes its selections for passengers.

United’s Takeoff snack boxes have garnered considerable popularity, particularly the return of the cherished stroopwafel. Johnson notes an interesting trend in snack preferences that varies by age: “Older passengers generally prefer salty snacks, like pretzels, while younger ones lean towards sweeter options, such as the stroopwafel,” she observes.

Delta Air Lines has its onboard service team responsible for selecting snacks. This selection process includes examining customer insights to maintain a balance of both sweet and savory choices. For instance, Biscoff cookies are featured alongside a snack mix to cater to varied tastes.

Beyond taste, another critical factor in snack selection is the volume of demand. Suppliers must have the capacity to manage a high volume of snacks for Delta’s extensive customer base, which totals around 200 million annually. Furthermore, logistical arrangements are essential to ensure the continuous availability of snacks. Even if a snack is favored by customers, it could be omitted if the vendor’s logistics are inadequate.

Through dialogues with four major airlines regarding their snack offerings, a common theme emerged: customer feedback plays a crucial role in determining the in-flight snack menu. Johnson emphasizes this point, stating, “Feedback really matters, as it prevents offering snacks that customers dislike.” Over her decade-long experience, she recalls more instances of dissatisfaction regarding discontinued snacks rather than complaints about existing options.

Ultimately, it may be worth reconsidering that customer survey email after your next flight. Each airline continuously assesses and updates its snack selections, meaning that your input could significantly influence what’s available on future journeys.

Source
www.travelandleisure.com