Airline snacks are great on so many levels. Not only do they help to pass the time and make the flight a little more bearable, but they can be really tasty too. Here’s a look at my five favorite airline snacks.
Snacks have a wide definition. For purposes of this article, I am limiting the definition of snacks to just the little freebies that airlines serve with beverages. I realize that some airlines provide more substantial snacks, even in economy class, but that is a topic for another article.
Here’s my list, in descending order.
5. Cloud Hoppers (Austrian)
Cloud Hoppers, by Austrian pretzel-maker Soletti, are plane-shaped buttery crackers (like Goldfish) and pretzels. They are available in economy class flights on Austrian and always tasty.
4. Stroopwafels (United)
Stroopwafels are a Dutch staple, but it was United that first introduced them to me. Now I order stroopwafels on Amazon and enjoy them at home. These lovely caramel cookies are even better when you heat them over a cup of coffee. Catch them in all classes of service.
3. Biscoff Cookies (American, Delta, United)
Who doesn’t like the delicious cinnamon-sugar biscuits that have been European favorites for decades and are a staple on the three major U.S. legacy carriers.
2. Sweets & Blues Chips (JetBlue)
The blue-colored chips are not just a gimmick, but a tasty salty treat and healthier than regular potato chips. It is good that the bags are small, because I could eat several bags in one sitting…
1. Macadamia Nuts (Hawaiian)
Sometimes a simple snack is best. Macadamias are my favorite nuts and there’s nothing like a packet of Macadamia nuts from Mauna Loa on a flight to Hawaii. Hawaiian used to offers these in both economy and first class, but now they are just a first class treat.
CONCLUSION
The thing about these snacks is that every time I see them I think about the airline they are associated with. That’s great marketing…and a great incentive to keep these treats around next time recession hits.
What is your favorite airline snack?
featured image: JetBlue
Isn’t stroopwafel first debuted on KLM rather than UA?
It would not surprise me, but I first experienced it on United and it really became popular in the USA thanks to the placement on United–
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/19/stroopwafels-finally-find-an-american-audience-heres-how.html
Yes, I remember KLM passing out small snack bags with mini stroopwafels … in economy. This was years before UA even knew what a stroopwafel was. My transits at AMS over the years always involved me purchasing large boxes full of tasty stroopwafels.
All airline snacks should be standardized to the stroopwafel.
When I was a kid I recall flying Delta Airlines and got the Pawberry Punch. It was so good and kind of wish Delta would revive Dusty back… or at least the pawberry punch! lmao. It’s the only US airline I know of that had a mascot specifically geared for kids.
Had to look up Pawberry Punch, but wow…hopefully Delta will bring it back one day!
As a longtime fan of the Stroopwafels, even before they were served on United, I have to say that while they are infinitely superior I still miss the humble English shortbreads that United used to serve. Perhaps they’ll bring them back to the lounges as “parting gifts” to take on the plane with you.
KLM used to serve Almond Fingers ( almond flavoured cake-like cookies, with marzipan). Stroopwafels , though tasty, pale in comparison, although they’re probably much easier to carry and store.
One thing ( one of the VERY FEW things) QANTAS does well is sweet snacks: designer style cookies , rich and luscious, at least in J.