Quantcast

Delta partners with chef José Andrés for new in-flight meals beginning November

Air India Warned Over Crew Fatigue and Training Failures Following Fatal Crash
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may deny flights from Mexico over broken aviation agreement
American Airlines Launches Ultra‑Long‑Haul DFW–Manila Flights
Thousands of flights canceled or delayed across America's busiest airports
Emirates operates with SAF at London Heathrow Airport
British Airways Introduces Brunch Service on Long-Haul Flights
AirAsia FREE SEATS is BACK! - Book Cheap Flight now!
FAA Investigating After JetBlue Plane Skids Off Runway
Virgin Atlantic Offers Family-Friendly Holiday Packages
The Billion-Dollar Outlier That's Rescuing San Francisco Tourism
New Heathrow Security Rule Makes Packing Bags Easier for Travelers
Alaska Airlines Adding More Boeing 787 to Boost Seattle Hub
Ryanair cancels 170 flights, disrupts over 30,000 passengers on French ATC strike
What to Know About Travel to Europe During This Record-Breaking Heatwave
Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
FAA Drone Detection Testing
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
FAA Admits Uncertainty On Drone Numbers In U.S. Airspace, Raising Safety Concerns
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger tries opening plane door mid-flight, gets zip-tied by veterans
Delta partners with chef José Andrés for new in-flight meals beginning November
Research
Webp ed
Ed Bastian, Chief Executive Officer | Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4. The collaboration follows a meeting between Delta CEO Ed Bastian and Andrés at the South by Southwest festival last year, which sparked the idea for the partnership.

Passengers flying in Delta One and domestic first class will be able to try dishes such as Spanish tortilla with vegetable stew for breakfast, braised beef short rib with smoky pepper sauce and creamy polenta, Spanish-style braised chicken thigh with celeriac-potato puree, and stuffed piquillo peppers with goat cheese and mushroom filling. These meals will initially be available on select routes before expanding to more flights.

Stephanie Laster, Delta’s managing director of onboard culinary experience, described the approach: "We really want to delight. We call it 'every flight, every bite,'" she said. "And I think that's where it's really about carefully curating dining experiences that get customers excited and really how we make them feel like they're dining in a sky-high restaurant versus that traditional airline catering, which can sometimes not be exciting or inspiring."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The rollout is modeled after previous launches like the Shake Shack burger on Delta flights. According to Laster, the process involves listening to customer feedback, testing new items on limited routes for consistency and quality control, then gradually expanding their availability.

Laster explained how the partnership came together: "José Andrés actually joined Ed [Bastian] at the South by Southwest conference last year and they had a great conversation, talking about the power of food, the importance of human connection and the impact of people-first culture. Turns out, that is perfectly aligned with who we are as a brand from a Delta perspective." She added that both teams worked together closely to adapt recipes for in-flight conditions.

Menu items are tailored for air travel where taste buds may react differently at altitude. Braised proteins were chosen because they retain flavor well during flight service. Laster noted: "Braised proteins do really well ... that's where things like a smoky pepper sauce that will accompany the short rib do really well to help bring more intensity to the palate without just putting more salt."

On why certain menu items roll out only on select flights initially, Laster said: "Our process, fundamentally, is really [to] listen, act, listen and [then to] test, measure, expand. We did that very methodically with Shake Shack." She also highlighted differences in this rollout compared to others: "This one...we are coming out with multiple products mainly because José Andrés has over 40 restaurants — he has quite a portfolio of dishes and inspiration from around the world."

While these new offerings target premium cabins first—Delta One and domestic first class—Laster said innovation continues across all cabins: "We just launched Farmer's Fridge...for our domestic main cabin customers to purchase. So keeping it all fresh across all of the cabins is important."

The initial launch dates vary by route:

- Breakfast (Spanish tortilla) begins November 4 at major airports including Atlanta (ATL), Salt Lake City (SLC), Los Angeles (LAX), among others.

- Lunch/dinner options like braised beef short rib and Spanish-style chicken also start November 4 from similar locations.

- Stuffed piquillo peppers debut December 3 or January 6 depending on destination.

- Dishes will expand into international routes departing cities such as Cincinnati (CVG), Orlando (MCO), Minneapolis-St Paul (MSP), Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), Tampa (TPA) later this winter.

In January 2026 further expansion is planned for international departures from Atlanta (ATL), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Miami International Airport (MIA) and John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Delta’s ongoing updates reflect trends among airlines working with renowned chefs or popular restaurants for enhanced passenger experiences during flight.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Alaska Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its route network for 2026, with plans to introduce service to two new cities and launch 13 new or returning routes.

Oct 25, 2025

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025