Major Airline Quietly Ends Free Perk for Customers, Adds New Fee
As airlines across the country look to boost profits amidst a challenging market and environment, many have opted to remove certain perks that customers have previously enjoyed for free and add new fees.
Southwest Airlines made the most high-profile of these moves last year when the airline ended its longstanding "bags fly free" policy and began charging customers for their checked luggage. Now, another airline is ending a free perk that it has long offered customers, replacing it with a paid option.
Hawaiian Airlines Ends Free Meals
For years, Hawaiian Airlines has stood out amongst its competitors in the United States for continuing to offer complimentary meals in economy on many long-haul routes when others have long since moved to paid options. However, beginning on July 1, that's coming to an end.
The airline announced that Main Cabin passengers on most of its routes between Hawaii and the continental U.S. will no longer receive free meals. Instead, the airline is introducing a new pre-order dining program that allows travelers to purchase meals before their flight at a cost.
Under the new system, passengers will be able to order meals through Hawaiian Airlines' website or mobile app beginning two weeks before departure and up to 20 hours before their flight. The prices for these meals are expected to range from about $10 to $17 per meal.
"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," Alisa Onishi, the Managing Director of Hawai‘i Marketing at Hawaiian Airlines, said in a statement. "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."
Onishi said that Hawaiian Airlines wrote that the airline will continue to offer complimentary beverages and snacks on these flights.
Additionally, flights between Honolulu and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport will continue to include a complimentary meal for Main Cabin passengers.
Partnering With a Chef
As the airline makes this change, it has partnered with Maui chef and James Beard Award finalist Sheldon Simeon to create dishes that are inspired by local Hawaiian flavors.
Travelers can choose from meals such as crispy mochiko chicken with garlic noodles, barbecue teriyaki chicken bento, and corned beef hash with eggs.
"Chef Sheldon embodies the heart and soul of Hawai‘i's culinary culture," Onishi added. "His approach to food is rooted in storytelling, community and a deep sense of place, which aligns perfectly with how we think about hospitality at Hawaiian Airlines - brought to life every day by our crews, who deliver exceptional service."
"For me, food is about sharing where you're from and the people who shaped you," Simeon said in a statement. "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."
The airline plans to rotate the meals throughout the year, and meals will be made with fresh ingredients and prepared within 12 hours of departure, the airline said.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 7:13 AM.