Shake Shack burgers are taking flight thanks to a first-of-its-kind partnership with Delta Airlines.
Starting in December, Delta will offer Shake Shack’s cheeseburgers on select flights departing from Boston, with plans to expand in the future.
Available only to first class passengers on flights over 900 miles, the new in-flight menu allows travelers to pre-select a Shake Shack cheeseburger as their meal option. Passengers can choose their entrée up to 24 hours in advance using the Fly Delta app or a link in their email, starting seven days before their flight. The meal includes a Caesar salad, chips and a brownie.
In December, Delta will offer Shake Shack’s cheeseburgers on select flights departing from Boston.
“We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to meet our guests where they are—even at 35,000 feet,” said Michael Kark, president of global licensing at Shake Shack.
This builds on Delta’s long-standing relationship with Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) and its founder, Danny Meyer, who also founded Shake Shack. Meals from USHG’s catering arm, Union Square Events, are already served on select Delta flights from JFK.
The evolution of in-flight dining
In-flight dining has changed significantly over the years. What was once considered a luxury experience, with meals served on white tablecloths, has declined dramatically as airlines cut costs. On many flights today, especially in economy class, passengers are lucky to get more than a small packet of pretzels or a stale cookie.
However, as air travel has grown and passengers expect more from their flying experience, some airlines are reintroducing higher-quality food options. Shake Shack’s entry into the sky with Delta is an example of this trend, offering a well-known food brand to its premium travelers.
The airline is also rolling out new menus in its Delta One, First Class, and Delta Premium Select cabins, both domestically and internationally, in collaboration with USHG. These menus include chef-curated dishes such as braised short ribs and butternut squash ravioli.
This shift is partly driven by younger travelers, who are more willing to pay for a premium experience, according to a study by OAG Aviation. Contrary to the assumption that Millennials and Gen Z prefer low-cost carriers, the study found that 27 percent of these travelers are willing to pay up to $100 more for a flight with a legacy carrier like Delta, in exchange for a better experience.
In general, the broader in-flight catering market looks promising. Valued at $17.16 billion in 2023, the market is expected to reach $25.88 billion by 2030, according to Verified Market Research.
