Hawaiian Airlines will end complimentary meals in economy class on most mainland flights, marking the end of an era for the last U.S. carrier still offering free meals in the back of the aircraft. The replacement menu looks genuinely better, but passengers will now have to pay for it and pre-order it.
Hawaiian Airlines Ends Free Economy Meals, Marking The End Of An Era
Hawaiian Airlines is ending complimentary meals in Main Cabin on most flights between Hawaii and the continental United States, replacing them with a paid, pre-order menu curated by Maui chef Sheldon Simeon.
Starting July 1, 2026, economy class passengers on most Hawaii-mainland flights will no longer receive a free meal (currently a sandwich and chips on most routes). Instead, they will be able to pre-order meals up to two weeks before departure and as late as 20 hours before departure via Hawaiian’s website or the Alaska-Hawaiian mobile app.
The one notable exception: Honolulu – New York JFK, which will continue to include a complimentary meal in Main Cabin (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines still offer free meals on select longhauhl Hawaii flights).
This marks the end of an era: Hawaiian was the last major U.S. airline still offering free meals in economy class on all mainland flights. Now that era is essentially over.
A New Paid Menu From Sheldon Simeon
Of course, Alaska and Hawaiian are framing this as an upgrade in choice and quality rather than a cutback.
Alisa Onishi, Hawaiian’s managing director of Hawai‘i marketing, said the change reflects customer demand for more options:
“At Hawaiian Airlines, food has always been a core expression of our Hawaiian hospitality — our special way of welcoming guests onboard and inviting them into our island home. We designed our new Main Cabin meal program based on guest preference for more control and choice, while allowing us to deliver food that better reflects the richness of Hawaiʻi’s culinary traditions. By moving to a pre-order model, we’re expanding beyond a single standard meal to offer a broader menu that reflects how our guests want to dine today.”
The new menu was developed with Sheldon Simeon, the Maui-based chef behind Tin Roof and Tiffany’s. His Main Cabin menu will include dishes like crispy mochiko chicken with garlic noodles, barbecue teriyaki chicken bento, corned beef hash with eggs, coconut overnight oats, banana pancakes, and other Hawaii-inspired options.
Simeon suggests these dishes will provide a “true taste of home” onboard (which is always a dangerous proposition for airline food):
“For me, food is about sharing where you’re from and the people who shaped you. This menu is inspired by the flavors I grew up with in Hawai‘i — comforting, familiar and full of heart. I’m excited to bring those dishes onboard so guests can experience a true taste of home, wherever they’re headed.”
Prices range from $10.99 to $16.99. Meals are made within 12 hours of departure, and Hawaiian says the pre-order model allows it to offer more gluten-free and plant-based choices. (Full menu here).
The End Of A Very Hawaiian Era
I have mixed feelings about this.
On the one hand, Hawaiian’s complimentary Main Cabin meals were never exactly fancy. They were usually simple, and sometimes forgettable, especially after the pandemic. If the new paid menu is genuinely better, many passengers may prefer paying $15 for something they actually want over receiving a free meal they barely touch.
On the other hand, the free meal mattered symbolically. Hawaiian was different. It was the U.S. airline that still welcomed economy passengers with a meal on long mainland flights because that element of hospitality was part of the brand. It helped make the flight feel special, even if the sandwich was not particularly great.
Yes, Hawaiian will still offer complimentary local snacks, a welcome beverage, and a sweet treat before arrival. Yes, JFK-Honolulu will still receive a complimentary meal (Huakaʻi by Hawaiian members will also receive two free meals as a launch promotion). It is true: the new food may be far better than what it replaces.
But there is no way around the fact that most Main Cabin passengers will now have to pay for what used to be included. That is a cut, even if the replacement product is better.
CONCLUSION
Hawaiian Airlines is ending complimentary meals in economy class on most Hawaii-mainland flights and replacing them with a paid, pre-order menu from Chef Sheldon Simeon. The one major exception is Honolulu – JFK, where free Main Cabin meals will remain.
The new menu sounds good, and I like the idea of more choice, better quality, and food that better reflects Hawaii. But this still marks the end of an era. Hawaiian was the last U.S. carrier offering free meals in economy class on these domestic longhaul routes, and that distinction is now mostly gone.
images: Hawaiian Airlines
Huh?
Dl, aa, and ua all offer free meals for long haul hawaii flights.
Every flight from slc east gets a free economy meal
Yes, I’m taking about shorter mainland flights. Longhaul Hawaii flights are the lone exception.
However, the article says long haul flights also receive no meals, which would be the only carrier not to provide meals in economy.
There are several long haul flights other than JFK (BOS, not sure if AUS still is operating)
Yes.
So why did HA drop the free meals? This makes them less competitive than the other carriers on these routes
Further evidence that the AS/HA is unraveling just like the AS/Virgin America merger did.
AS is facing enormous increases in fuel price; it has to cut somewhere even as it is trying to integrate workforces.
sad to see… HA was not viable but AS was determined it needed to grow and is finding out that the price to be bigger is more than it can swallow
Alaska was going to do this regardless because they are a joyless, soul-sucking company
Although the complimentary gesture was certainly appreciated & HA didn’t hold a gun to one’s head to actually consume the item, calling it a ‘meal’ is quite a stretch.
A saturated fat & sodium laden hot pocket leaves a lot to be desired …. I wonder how much of that disgusting offering was left behind or refused by pax altogether…. Of course an exception can be made for the Honolulu cookie !
It is a downgrade and those who purchase last minute tickets <20 hours before departure are out of luck. That is not acceptable.
Buy food before boarding the plane.
This is not the ohana islanders offer when you are a guest in their homes, whatever their means. Alaska is making a mistake.
Of course, this isn’t exactly appetizing news!
For foodies → The charming AS flight attendant in the article’s photo serves a Kōloa Breeze to a passenger. Note that Kōloa Breeze is a popular complimentary in-flight rum punch cocktail served to passengers (21+) on Hawaiian Airlines flights. It is a tropical, refreshing cocktail made by the Kōloa Rum Company on the island of Kauai with Kauai-distilled Kōloa Rum, blended with tropical fruit juices like orange, guava puree, and passion fruit. Usually served as a complimentary drink to all passengers (in both Main Cabin and Premium cabins) on North America to Hawaii routes during brunch or lunch meal services. It is typically not served on overnight red-eye flights.
For foodies → As a leading voice in modern Hawaiian food, Chef Sheldon Simeon is also a restaurateur and an author. He draws deep inspiration from his Filipino heritage, local upbringing, and the multiethnic flavors that define Hawaiian cuisine. He is undoubtedly an important acquisition for the Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines culinary services.