End of an Era: Hawaiian Airlines Ends Free Economy Meals on Long-Haul Flights, Introduces New Chef-Curated Menu
Starting July 1, Hawaiian Airlines, now a division of Alaska Airlines, will make a major change to its onboard service by ending complimentary meals in economy class on flights between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland.
The move marks the end of a long-standing tradition. According to aviation observers, Hawaiian was the last major U.S. airline still providing free meals in economy class on domestic long-haul routes.
In place of the complimentary service, passengers will be able to **pre-order meals up to two weeks before departure** or as little as **20 hours before their flight**. The airline says the new menu has been redesigned to showcase Hawaiian flavors under the direction of renowned Maui chef **Sheldon Simeon**, a James Beard Award finalist.
The new offerings include a variety of Hawaii-inspired dishes, with prices ranging from **$10.99** for vegan and gluten-free coconut overnight oats to **$16.99** for crispy mochiko chicken served with garlic noodles.
Hawaiian Airlines says the changes are part of a broader effort to enhance onboard service, including upgraded dining options, refreshed menus across cabins, and complimentary local snacks.
For many frequent flyers, however, the announcement signals the end of a unique feature that helped Hawaiian stand apart from other U.S. carriers for decades.