Delta Air Lines has announced its latest culinary collaboration, which will see the Atlanta-based US ‘big three’ legacy carrier and 
SkyTeam founding member team up with Spanish-American chef and humanitarian José Andrés. The airline will begin serving its new Spanish-inspired meals from the start of next month as part of this initiative, with passengers in premium cabins being the first to get them.
Following this initial rollout, the new menu will continue to be phased in throughout 2026, as 
Delta Air Lines looks to share its collaboration with Andrés with as many guests as possible. Correspondingly, the carrier has also shared details of its best wine program yet for 2025/26, with the beverages in question being made available to business class travelers in Delta One until September of next year.
A Closer Look At The Collaboration
Delta detailed the finer points of its new Spain-themed menu in a statement released yesterday, which confirmed that it will begin to be rolled out from November 4 in its Delta One and Delta First premium cabins. Its aim with this initiative is to provide its passengers with more than just a meal, with “each dish selected for its ability to maintain flavor, texture, and authenticity in the unique environment of air travel.”
According to Delta, the dishes, which we shall examine in more detail shortly, have been meticulously designed, with “portion sizes, reheating methods, and presentation” having been refined to make them as authentic as those served in tapas bars. Stephanie Laster, who serves as the Managing Director of Onboard Dining Experience at Delta Air Lines, welcomed the rollout of the bold and vibrant dishes, stating that:
“Just like we lead in operational reliability, we are on the leading edge of culinary innovation, offering delicious meals that build a sense of connection to the world we serve.”
In its initial release, Delta Air Lines has shared details of four entrée options that will form part of its Spanish-inspired menu amid the upcoming rollout. As pictured above, one of these is a Braised Beef Short Rib in a Mojo Rojo BBQ Sauce. Delta explains that this particular combination has been designed to be “tender and savory, with a tangy, smoky sauce and creamy polenta that’s deeply satisfying.”
The other main meat option is a chicken thigh cooked in a rich sauce made from dried fruit and sherry. This will be served alongside vegetables such as pearl onions and roasted carrots, with a celeriac-potato puree also present to top off the dish. Delta has also devised two vegetarian entrées.
The first of these is a classic Spanish egg and potato omelet, known as a tortilla, with Pisto Manchego. Served at breakfast time, this dish will also come with a rich vegetable stew. Elsewhere, Delta Air Lines and José Andrés have also devised stuffed piquillo peppers featuring goat’s cheese and mushrooms.
The Latest In An Increasingly Long Line Of Culinary Innovations
Long-time readers of Simple Flying will be aware that Delta Air Lines is no stranger to quirky culinary concepts. Indeed, last December, the carrier partnered with Shake Shack to provide premium passengers with the opportunity to pre-order burgers for their flights. By March of 2025, the success of this initiative had proven to be so strong that it was expanded to more departure airports, including Los Angeles.
Delta Air Lines also takes great pride in its wine offering, and introduced a seasonal selection last November, just in time for the holiday season. The beverages in question ranged in origin from California to Italy, and were made available alongside new dishes from its seasonal food menu.
Many food lovers will argue that a meal is only as good as the drinks with which it is paired, and this is a sentiment that Delta Air Lines has leaned heavily into with the launch of its latest premium wine selection. Available until September 2026, the carrier has described it as “its most exceptional Delta One wine program to date,” with wines “intentionally selected to help customers celebrate upcoming milestones.”
