Free Snacks Are Coming Back For United Airlines Economy Passengers

"Free snacks are back," according to a press release by United Airlines, in an effort to "[continue] to uplift the in-flight experience, feeding customers' appetites for complimentary choices." Beginning February 2016, free snacks will be offered to United Economy passengers on thousands of daily flights within North America and Latin America. United is also in the process of bringing Illy Caffe's signature Sucro Dark Roast Coffee to United Club locations at mainland U.S. hubs and to flights worldwide.

The free snacks will vary depending on flight times. Customers on flights departing before 9:45 am will receive a morning stroopwafel, "a Dutch, caramel-filled waffle that pairs perfectly with coffee or tea," according to the release. Customers on flights departing after 9:45 am will be offered a variety of packaged savory snacks, some of which include an Asian-style snack mix, ranch mini pretzel sticks, Cajun corn sticks, and ranch soy nuts.

Jimmy Samartzis, United's vice president of food services and United Clubs, says, "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. 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."