Air Canada will offer complimentary beer, wine, and snacks across all cabin classes and flights, including on routes to Mexico and the Caribbean. The move comes as the Canadian flag carrier aims to “raise the bar on the economy travel experience.”
Air Canada has also become the first North American airline to serve non-alcoholic Heineken beer on board. Launched on September 1, 2025, the initiative, offering complimentary snacks and beverages, reflects the carrier’s renewed commitment to enhancing the travel experience for all passengers.
In addition to enhancing its economy class catering, the Canadian flag carrier has introduced a new beverage and snack menu on its flights, with a strong focus on Canadian brands. On flights departing before 10 AM, passengers will be offered MadeGood Mornings Cinnamon Bun Soft Baked Oat Bars, along with Canadian favorites such as TWIGZ Craft Pretzels and Leclerc’s Celebration Cookies.
For flights after 10:30 AM, Canada’s largest airline will serve complimentary Greenhouse Ginger Defense Wellness Shots from Canadian brand Greenhouse. Air Canada has also expanded its bistro menu with more Canadian-made options, including Summer Fresh Hummus & Crackers, Quaker Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cups, TWIGZ Sour Cream & Onion Pretzels, and the always-popular Smarties. Commenting on the news and additional offerings, Scott O’Leary, Vice President, Loyalty & Product at Air Canada, said:
“As part of our commitment to elevating the onboard experience, we’re delighted to introduce even more exciting new options to our menus. These upgrades offer something for everyone and proudly showcase Canadian brands so that our customers can sit back, relax and kick-start their travels no matter where they’re going.”
Will Expanding Service Come At A High Cost?
In-flight snack and beverage offerings have come a long way, especially among legacy carriers. While not universal, many full-service carriers around the world provide complimentary snacks on flights across all cabin classes, whether short- or long-haul. Airline catering is a multi-billion-dollar industry, which often raises the question: how much do airlines actually spend on food?
Although the exact figures are closely guarded, some estimates reveal the approximate cost of a meal per passenger. The cost for airlines to provide complimentary snacks varies significantly. However, light economy-class, name-brand snacks can cost under $1 per passenger, with costs for premium options or small meals rising to $5-$15 or more.
Of course, airlines buy these items in bulk to lower the per-unit cost, with overall expenses varying based on flight length, the airline’s business model, and whether passengers are served a light snack or a more substantial meal.
The Cost Of Eating At 35,000 Feet
Today, most airlines only provide complimentary meals on long-haul international routes, while food on shorter domestic flights is typically available for purchase, with prices varying by carrier. According to a 2023 FinanceBuzz analysis, JetBlue Airways ranked as the most expensive among the ten largest US airlines, charging an average of $13 per meal. 
Delta Air Lines followed at $12, with Alaska Airlines at $10.50 and United Airlines at $9.
When it comes to light snacks, several US full-service carriers, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, still offer free packaged snacks and soft drinks. In contrast, budget airlines like Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines charge for nearly everything onboard, including light snacks, all sorts of beverages, including even bottled water.
In terms of alcoholic beverages, Spirit Airlines passengers face the highest average cost at $10.61 per drink among the ten airlines analyzed by FinanceBuzz. United Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue Airways each charged around $9 per beverage, while Southwest Airlines had the lowest average price in 2023, at $6.67 per drink.
