American Airlines to restore fresh food in New York-Chicago first class

American Airlines fresh food NY-Chicago service is set to return to first class this month, the carrier said, for flights between its New York and Chicago hubs. The change replaces the smaller packaged snack that first-class passengers currently receive on those flights, according to CNBC.

American described the offerings as small fresh “bites,” rather than outlining a full meal service. A company spokeswoman told CNBC that the airline last offered fresh food in first class on the route in 2019.

What will American Airlines serve in first class between New York and Chicago?

American said passengers will have two choices at each meal period. Breakfast options will be prosciutto with melon or apple-cinnamon chia pudding, CNBC reported.

For lunch and dinner, the choices will be a Thai noodle salad or a mezze plate, according to the report. American did not provide an exact start date, name specific airports, or identify which departures will receive the offerings.

A limited change on a short route

The announcement applies to flights between the airline’s New York and Chicago hubs, not to its wider domestic network. CNBC reported that airlines generally offer limited food service on shorter flights, including in first class.

American has been trying to attract more higher-spending passengers through premium products, CNBC reported. The carrier has added cabins and lounges and has plans to install seatback screens on its narrow-body fleet.

The return of fresh food on the New York-Chicago flights is one part of that broader effort, according to CNBC. Travelers should not assume it means fresh first-class meals are returning across American’s system, because the company’s announcement was limited to this route.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.