Seattle 3 July – Alaska Airlines has unveiled its summer 2025 menu refresh, introducing locally sourced dishes across both First Class and Main Cabin services that reinforce the carrier’s positioning as a premium West Coast airline. The announcement, made on July 3, 2025, reveals strategic choices that extend well beyond seasonal menu rotations.
First Class Expansion Targets Short-Haul Premium Revenue
The headline development centres on Alaska’s continued expansion of its First Class meal service to routes as short as 670 milesโa threshold that positions the carrier well ahead of major competitors in the premium short-haul space.
New summer offerings include Sweet Potato Hash Benedict with Sriracha Hollandaise Sauce and Green Tea Pancakes with chicken apple sausage for breakfast service, alongside lunch and dinner options such as Lemon Pesto Gnocchi and Strawberry Burrata Salad.
Alaska’s pre-order programme allows meal selection up to two weeks before departure. It offers up to five fresh, first-class meal choices per flight, including guaranteed vegan and gluten-free options, such as Coconut Chia Overnight Oats.
Main Cabin Strategy Balances Revenue and Accessibility
The introduction of the Sweet Chilli Chicken Wrap for Main Cabin passengers on routes exceeding 1,100 miles, available starting July 16, demonstrates Alaska’s careful calibration of its for-purchase dining programme.
The wrap joins the Best Laid Plants grain bowl, developed in partnership with Evergreens, and the expanded Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter service.
This tiered approachโcomplimentary meals for first-class passengers and elite members, with premium options for purchase in Main Cabinโreflects industry-wide trends towards ancillary revenue generation while maintaining competitive positioning.
Operational Excellence Behind Menu Diversity
The carrier’s emphasis on “chef-curated” meals and local sourcing suggests partnerships with premium catering suppliers that align with the airline’s West Coast brand identity.
The 670-mile threshold for first-class meal service represents a strategic sweet spotโshort enough to capture significant West Coast route density while long enough to justify operational complexity. This positions Alaska advantageously against competitors who typically begin premium meal service on longer routes.
Industry Context and Competitive Positioning
Alaska’s summer menu refresh arrives as the carrier continues network expansion, including new nonstop routes from San Diego to Phoenix and Portland to Houston.
Images courtesy of Alaska Airlines
Nik founded Inflight Feed in 2012, blending his passion for inflight dining with over a decade of experience in the airline industry. For the past 13 years, he has travelled the world, exploring and reviewing airline meals across countless carriers.
CNN Travel, The New York Times, and BBC World News have featured Nikโs expertise. When heโs not on the ground, youโll find him at 35,000 feet, camera in hand, capturing the unique flavours of air travel. Follow his inflight meal adventures on Instagram: @InflightFeed.
