United Airlines to Offer Free Snacks in Economy Class

United Airlines has confirmed that it will start offering free snacks in United Economy class on thousands of daily flights within North America and Latin America beginning February 2016.

The free snacks come as United continues preparations to bring illycaffe’s signature scuro dark roast coffee to United Club locations at the airline’s mainland U.S. hubs beginning this month and to flights worldwide next summer.

Customers on flights departing before 09:45 will receive a morning stroopwafel – a Dutch, caramel-filled waffle.

Flights departing after 09:45 will offer packaged savory snacks, such as an Asian-style snack mix of rice crackers, sesame sticks and wasabi peas or a zesty-ranch mix of mini pretzel sticks, Cajun corn sticks and ranch soy nuts.

“We’re refocusing on the big and little things that we know matter to our customers and shape how they feel about their travel experience,” said Jimmy Samartzis, United’s vice president of food services and United Clubs. “We’re bringing back complimentary snacks that are a nod to our global presence. They also add that extra level of service our employees will be proud to deliver and will make a big difference for our customers.”

Passengers will still be able to enjoy United’s Choice Menu items for purchase on flights that offer these options.

Additionally, this month United expanded the availability of complimentary meals and free beer and wine to more Latin America flights, and in June, the airline significantly upgraded economy-cabin food and beverage service on long-haul international flights, with multi-course meals; complimentary beer, house wine and bottled water; and an option to purchase premium snacks.