Alaska Airlines Expands Menu with West Coast Flavors in Economy and First Class

Alaska Airlines passengers now have more meal options than ever as the carrier expands its menu for its economy and first class cabins, incorporating West Coast tastes and fresh twists on comfort staples.

Alaska Airlines is already famed for its meal options. The carrier offers freshly-prepared meals to first-class passengers on flights as short as 550 miles, while its U.S. competitors typically reserve the hot meals for flights over 900 miles.

Those premium passengers are now even more spoiled for choice. Starting May 10th, they can select between five different entrees on coast-to-coast and Hawaii flights and four main dishes on most other departures. Pre-orders are recommended so you can secure the meal of your choice, and they are taken as early as two weeks before departure and up to 20 hours before take-off.

Photo: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900ER. Courtesy of Chad Slattery / Alaska Airlines.

The first class breakfast menu has been freshened with a chicken sausage breakfast bowl, lemon blueberry pancakes, and a mushroom omelet made with handmade cheese from Beecher’s, a favorite from Alaska’s Seattle hub.

During daytime flights, passengers can select a wedge salad with applewood smoked bacon, a Korean barbecue chicken sandwich, or a caramelized onion Angus burger for lunch.

New dinner options on long-haul flights include a Chimichurri flat iron steak, herb-roasted chicken, lemon fennel manicotti, and ginger beef stir-fry noodles.

Alaska Airlines also has some surprises in store. For example, on certain flights, the airline offers first class customers Beecher’s indulgent Flagship macaroni and cheese, a comfort classic proving the mac’n’cheese isn’t just for TV dinners and kids.

Photo: The Stand Banh Mi Salad is a new pre-order option. Courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

And on select flights departing the San Francisco Bay Area, Alaska will serve Alicia’s spicy pork carnitas tamale, made with fresh ingredients from the local area.

The vegan menu has also been revamped. Eco and health-conscious travelers can now pre-order a harissa and chorizo frittata made with a plant-based JUST egg, a spicy tofu wrap, or a white bean chili with grilled polenta.

Travelers can wash that down with new drinks cart additions, including wines from Ste. Chapelle—the oldest winery in Idaho—and Fat Tire amber ale from the New Belgium Brewing Company—the nation’s first certified carbon-neutral beer.

Photo: The Jetsetter’s Jam sandwich is a new pre-order option. Courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

From July, Alaska will also serve Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing IPA and hard cider from Schilling.

Those premium passengers will also dine in restaurant style, as the airline returns glassware to its regional E175 flights and printed menus to its coast-to-coast and Hawaii flights. Those extra touches were scrapped during the pandemic.

Back in the main cabin, budget travelers also have more choices, as Alaska doubles the number of pre-order meal options.

As a reminder, economy passengers can pre-order paid-for fresh meals on flights of over 1,100 miles. Orders are taken through Alaska Airlines’ mobile app and website between two weeks and twenty hours before departure, and prices fall around $8 to $10.

Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

New breakfast options on the pre-order menu include a turkey, bacon & tomato bagel sandwich and a smoked salmon bagel sandwich.

Two new salad options are debuting on the lunch and dinner menus, designed in partnership with Northwest favorites – and pun-masters – Evergreens Salad.

Their Stand Banh Mi combines romaine, spinach, bánh mì veggies, cucumber, jalapeño, radish, green onion, and tofu, drizzled in a sweet chill vine. At the same time, the Strawberry Fields for Chevre features arugula, mixed greens, cucumber, strawberries, pickled beets, pickled onions, Portland Creamery goat’s cheese, hazelnut crunch, and a peach vini dressing.

Not into salads? Alaska is also introducing two new wraps: Mediterranean chicken shawarma and chicken mango.

Photo: The Chicken Mango Wrap is a new lunch and dinner pre-order option. Courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

Flights to and from Hawaii will feature a return of the Tillamook cheeseburger Alaska Airlines describes as “famous,” with more hot food options to launch soon. Flights over 775 miles will include the choice of a Jetsetter’s Jam sandwich, a fresh and nut-free take on the PB&J.

Meanwhile, economy passengers can continue to pre-order the airline’s Signature fruit and cheese platter and Fresh Start protein platter for their flights.

Travelers also don’t have to worry about getting bored of the menu: Alaska says it will offer different options on outbound and return flights.

Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

“We’re always looking to spark joy with great food and drink on board our flights, delivering a delicious meal or craft beverage with care as part of our award-winning service,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, managing director of guest products at the airline.

“What our guests have to say is important, and they told us that more food and beverage variety would be great, so we set out to make that happen. We’ve worked hard to give our guests of all ages a wider selection of food, from classic comfort food to more healthful options all while representing the vibrant flavors of the West Coast.”