United Airlines Beats Competition in Healthy Food Offerings

DietDetective.com examined the snack offerings on United, Jet Blue, American, Delta, Continental, Southwest, Virgin America and US Airways in order to ascertain who has the healthiest grub. The airlines were rated on a "health score" of 1-5 stars (five being best) based on snack/on-board food offerings, number of healthy offerings, airline cooperation, fruit and vegetable offerings, and improvements.

I do not like think "airline cooperation" and "improvement" should be the considered in the rankings, but based on my experiences on all of the airlines above (and I’ve flown and had snacks on all of them), I have to agree with the survey findings.

United really has came a long way with their onboard snack offerings and although I miss hot options on United (as Lucky suggested, why not sell hot cookies?) I’m pleased with their food for sale behind the curtain.

Here are the results:

4 stars: United Airlines has well-balanced and low-calorie snack boxes and meals.
3 1/4 stars: Jet Blue has a good nuts snack and Shape Up meal box.
3 1/8 stars: American Airlines’ cheese and cracker snack tray is good.
3 stars: Delta Air Lines’ individual snack choices are not very good, but meal choices on longer flights are reasonably healthy.
2 1/2 stars: Continental Airlines’ snacks contain a high sodium count.
2 stars: Southwest Airlines and Virgin America have poor choices in snacks.
1 3/4 stars: US Airways has high-calorie snacks and meals.