Shake Shack Cheeseburgers Take to the Skies Aboard Delta Air Lines

While airplane food often gets a bit of a bad wrap, it’s clear that airlines are attempting to bolster interest in their in-flight menus as of late — and for Delta Air Lines, that means offering passengers an American classic.

As Delta News Hub detailed in a Nov. 19 press release, the airline company plans to partner with Shake Shack, giving First Class passengers the option of chowing down on one of the company’s iconic cheeseburgers during their flight.

“At Shake Shack, 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. “Taking our beloved cheeseburger to new heights, Shake Shack is proud to partner with Delta as we elevate the in-flight dining and hospitality experience for travelers across the country.”

The burger comes with tomato, lettuce, and the chain’s signature ShackSauce, all served on the side to allow for customization and to avoid sogginess. Accompanying the burger: potato chips, Caesar salad, and a dark chocolate brownie for dessert.

A few caveats exist at this point in time, however: The Shake Shack cheeseburger is only being offered on flights originating out of Boston, and only on routes over 900 miles. Delta indicated, however, that it plans to expand the Shake Shack cheeseburger menu offering to other U.S. markets throughout 2025.

Shake Shack Moves Beyond the Airport Terminal Following Q3 Earnings

This latest news of seeing cheeseburgers gracing dining trays at cruising altitude follows Shake Shack’s continued expansion into airport terminals, as Restaurant Business reported.

With 19 locations nestled within airport terminals across America, Shake Shack plans to open another restaurant in Boston’s Logan International Airport. As Restaurant Business pointed out, that means even those who don’t opt for a First Class ticket could still ferry a hot cheeseburger aboard after navigating through security. It also means that travelers flying out of Boston will have a few different options when it comes to enjoying a mid-flight Shake Shack cheeseburger.

Shake Shack’s latest partnership with Delta comes on the heels of a somewhat positive third-quarter earnings report, per a separate Restaurant Business breakdown.

Same-store sales ticked upward by 4.4%, largely driven by increased menu prices (up 6%) and solid traffic (up 0.3%). However, the chain also posted a net loss of $10.2 million for Q3 — a loss largely attributed to the closure of nine underperforming locations earlier in 2024.

Speed and efficiency are the primary areas of focus as to possible improvements, CEO Rob Lynch indicated. And while his remarks may have been centered around drive-thru order fulfillment, the same holds true of Shake Shack service in bustling airport terminals — and on crowded airliners.

“People don’t want to wait 15 minutes to get a burger and a drink,” Lynch said.