Delta Air Lines will discontinue complimentary snacks, drinks, and meals for main cabin and Comfort+ passengers on approximately 450 daily short-haul flights beginning May 19.

The change targets U.S. domestic routes of 349 miles or less, which typically last under an hour. Examples include Los Angeles to San Francisco, New York to Boston, and Atlanta to Charlotte. These flights represent about 9% of Delta's roughly 5,500 daily departures.

"Beginning May 19, Delta is adjusting onboard beverage service to create a more consistent experience across our network," a Delta spokesperson said. Shorter flights will no longer offer food or beverage service, with the exception of Delta First Class, where full service continues. Crew members will remain visible and available to assist passengers on all flights.

Previously, Delta provided limited "express service" such as water, coffee, and a small snack on some flights between 250 and 350 miles. Service was already unavailable on routes under 250 miles. The airline previously offered no beverages or snacks on the shortest hops, such as many Northeast shuttle flights.

In a related adjustment, Delta plans to expand full beverage and snack service, including alcohol and multiple snack options, to main cabin and Comfort+ passengers on flights of 350 miles or more. This will add service to about 14% of its daily flights, standardizing offerings on medium-length routes.

The announcement, made earlier this week, comes as airlines continue to refine in-flight services amid operational efficiencies. Many competitors, including American and United, do not offer complimentary snacks or drinks on short domestic flights, making Delta's policy more aligned with industry norms.

Passengers can still bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks through security, subject to TSA guidelines. Delta emphasized that the changes prioritize consistency while maintaining crew focus on safety and customer care.