Delta Just Teamed Up With a Fast Food Chain for Burgers at 30,000 Feet

Alice Levitt
·3-min read

You're going to want to lower your tray table for this one.

What’s your first thought when someone brings up airplane food? If the word “unpalatable” was on your list of responses, you’re not alone. As we approach peak travel season, you may find yourself dreading awful airplane food, or worse, expensive (and equally terrible) airport options. But what if you could eat not only a burger, but a notably mouthwatering burger at 30,000 feet? Thanks to Delta, that’s actually happening.

Delta Partners With Shake Shack on New In-Flight Food Options

Beginning Dec. 1, some flights out of Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) will begin offering a burger option to a captive audience. But it’s not just any burger patty and buns. Buckle up for Shake Shack coming straight to your tray table.

Don’t despair if you’re not flying out of Boston. Delta reps say that they’re planning to bring the beefy bites to "other U.S. markets throughout 2025," according to a press release. ShackBurgers (the winner of favorite fast food burger taste test) are taking to the skies on Delta flights longer than 900 miles. Those routes include flights departing from and arriving to the following airports:

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

  • Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

  • Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

  • Orlando International Airport (MCO)

  • Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)

  • San Diego International Airport (SAN)

  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

  • Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

How to Get a Shake Shack Burger on a Delta Flight

What will flyers be tasting once they hit cruising altitude? None other than Shake Shack's signature cheeseburger. The stack features a 100-percent Angus beef patty beneath melted American cheese on a potato bun. Want a ShackBurger instead? Delta can make that happen. Toppings served on the side include the brand’s ShackSauce, lettuce, and tomato.

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And don’t think you’re getting all that à la carte. The meal comes with chips, a Caesar salad, and a dark chocolate brownie that, according to Delta’s press release, is “reminiscent of Shack Attack flavors from some of the brand’s dessert offerings.”

Our enthusiasm dimmed a little bit when we—Economy travelers—realized that the collaboration is for First Class passengers only. But if you’re willing to spend extra for a satisfying meal in the air, it may be worth it.

But that’s not the only impediment to getting a Shake Shack burger as your meal option. The sandwich isn’t on the First Class menu (yet). Passengers must order it ahead, either through an email link or in the FlyDelta app, between 7 days and 24 hours before departure. That means no waiting for a sudden craving to strike just before boarding.

The collaboration with Shake Shack is part of Delta’s deal with Union Square Hospitality, the Danny Meyer-owned company behind the burger giant. The famed restauranteur is also behind other First Class menu items like cocoa-braised short ribs with creamy polenta for passengers in the pricy seats.

Feeling extra bougie—and perhaps a little boozy? Delta is also updating its wine program, so you can now order from a list of 20 bottles that range from “rare white wines from Tuscany to bold California Cabernets.”

It’s all enough to get us saving our pennies for an upgrade on our next flight, where we’ll be enjoying First Class with our favorite fast food burger in-hand.

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