Delta Announces New Menus—Including Shake Shack Burgers

Customers of Delta Air Lines will soon be flying high on new menu offerings.

The airline giant announced last week that it’s rolling out fresh menus in its Delta One, First Class, and Delta Premium Select cabins across many domestic and international flights—with several of the new items aimed at providing travelers with more nutrient-dense foods to choose from.

Delta customers will soon be able to enjoy an array of nutritious, chef-curated dishes such as cocoa-braised short ribs with accompanying broccoli and carrots; butternut squash ravioli with pumpkin seeds and mild chilies; and apple-cranberry compote— the latter being available on select morning flights only.

Such offerings will join existing healthy menu options offered by the airline, such as roasted chicken breast, vegetarian chipotle bowls, mixed green salads with sun-dried tomatoes, and snack options like fresh fruit and dark chocolate seed-and-oat bars.

“Our goal is to serve you familiar and comforting foods with a sophisticated twist, while offering variety and well-rounded meals to keep you feeling your best while traveling,” explains Kristen Manion Taylor, Delta’s senior vice president of in-flight service. She adds that the company’s culinary teams have also “worked hard to design a menu that’s delicious and works well at 35,000 feet.”

Along with such nutritional fare, Delta Airlines also recently announced a partnership with the American fast-casual restaurant chain, Shake Shack. Beginning in December on select flights over 900 miles, first class customers will be able to pre-select a Shake Shack cheeseburger as their meal option, which will be served hot during the flight.

While no cheeseburger screams “healthy,” all Shake Shack burgers boast 100% all-natural Angus beef that’s raised without hormones or antibiotics. A single-patty burger also offers 25 grams of protein, with nutrient-rich topping options like lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles available as well.

The in-flight Shake Shack cheeseburger meal will also come with a Caesar side salad to give it another nutritional boost—a boost that could help offset less-healthy side items that are also included in the meal: potato chips and a chocolate brownie.

“A delicious cheeseburger is an iconic comfort food,” says Stephanie Laster, Delta’s managing director of onboard service. “Our customers know that, which is why burgers are one of the top-ordered menu items we offer—an offering we’re thrilled to elevate with Shake Shack.”

The burger chain is similarly excited about the new partnership. Michael Kark, Shake Shack’s president of global licensing, says the company is happy to partner with the airline, “to take our beloved cheeseburger to new heights.”