<P> Food on board a flight is usually free on full - service Asian airlines and on almost all long - distance flights, while they might cost extra on low - cost airlines or European full - service airline flights . Quality may also fluctuate due to shifts in the economics of the airline industry . </P> <P> On long - haul international flights in first class and business class, most Asian and European airlines serve gourmet meals, while legacy carriers based in the US tend to serve multicourse meals including a cocktail snack, appetizer, soup, salad, entrée (chicken, beef, fish, or pasta), cheeses with fruit, and ice cream . Some long - haul flights in first and business class offer such delicacies as caviar, champagne, and sorbet (intermezzo). </P> <P> The cost and availability of meals on US airlines has changed considerably in recent years, as financial pressures have forced some airlines to either begin charging for meals, or abandon them altogether in favor of small snacks, as in the case of Southwest Airlines . Eliminating free pretzels saved Northwest $2 million annually . Nowadays, the main US legacy carriers (American, Delta and United) have discontinued full meal service in economy class on short - haul US domestic and North American flights, while retaining it on most intercontinental routes; and at least one European carrier, Icelandair, follows this policy on intercontinental runs as well . </P> <P> As of 2016, all 4 major U.S. legacy airlines now offer free snacks on board in economy class . United Airlines re-introduced free snacks in February 2016 . Starting in April 2016, American Airlines will fully restore free snacks on all domestic flights in economy class . Free meals will also be available on certain domestic routes . Delta and Southwest have already been offering free snacks for years . </P>

What kind of food is served on an airplane