# American Airlines restores fresh food to first class

> American Airlines brings fresh meals back to its New York-Chicago first class route for the first time since 2019, part of a push to compete with Delta and United.
- Title: American Airlines restores fresh food to first class · CNBC
- Summary: American Airlines brings fresh meals back to its New York-Chicago first class route for the first time since 2019, part of a push to compete with Delta and…
- Keywords: american airlines, first class, new york, chicago, premium travel, delta air lines, united airlines, CNBC
- Source: CNBC — https://cnbc.com/2026/11/11/american-airlines-first-class-chicago-new-york.html
- Author: Leslie Josephs
- Published: 2026-11-11T17:34:18+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: american airlines, first class, new york, chicago, premium travel, delta air lines, united airlines, business, finance
## Fresh meals return to first class
American Airlines said Wednesday it is bringing fresh food back to first class on flights between New York and Chicago, starting this month.
## Seven years without fresh options
American last offered fresh food for first class on these routes in two thousand nineteen. Currently, customers in first class get a smaller, packaged snack.
## Menu choices for breakfast and lunch
Customers will pick between two options: prosciutto and melon or apple cinnamon chia pudding for breakfast, and Thai noodle salad or mezze plate for lunch and dinner.
## Catching up on premium competition
American has fallen behind Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in profits and investments in premium options. The airline has been working to step up premium offerings with new cabins, lounges and seatback screens.
## Key takeaway

American Airlines is restoring fresh food to first class on New York-Chicago flights starting this month, its first such offering on these routes since two thousand nineteen.