Looks like United may be selling the snack boxes on flights of more than 2-1/2 hours.  Check out this quote from today's Reuters article:

United Airlines spokeswoman Robin Urbanski on Wednesday said the carrier is "seriously considering" selling the $5 snack boxes currently offered only on its low-cost airline, Ted. The snack boxes would be sold on United Airlines flights of more than 2-1/2 hours.

Here's the full article:

Source: Reuters
Author: Kyle Peterson

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Oreos and Cheese Nips are the latest bait that airlines are using to lure passengers, as money-losing U.S. carriers stop serving meals on domestic flights.

Delta Air Lines said on Wednesday it would replace its in-flight food sales in April with an expanded snack selection. Rival Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV - News) was quick to issue a press release saying that "while other airlines are offering less than peanuts," it serves a full menu of snacks.

Delta, the struggling No. 3 U.S. carrier, promised that first-class travelers on all flights and economy class travelers on flights of 1-1/2 hours or more will receive such snacks as SunChips, honey-roasted peanuts and animal crackers.

Economy class travelers on flights of 3-1/2 hours or more will get a snack pack of crackers, cheese, Oreo cookies and Sun-Maid raisins. Delta said it will continue to offer complimentary meal service to first-class passengers on flights longer than 3-1/2 hours.

"Our customers asked for more choice, consistency and convenience, and we are responding," said Paul Matsen, Delta's chief marketing officer, in a statement.

But Delta said it would remove pillows from domestic flights within the 48 contiguous states, Bermuda, Canada and Central American and Caribbean destinations. The carrier also will raise the cost for alcoholic beverages to $5 from $4.

Not to be outdone in the snack wars, Southwest, the No. 6 U.S. carrier, said that in April it will add Cheese Nips to the free peanuts and pretzels it serves on every flight. The airline said it believes the cheese-flavored crackers will appeal to customers looking for "smarter ways of snacking."

On longer flights, travelers receive more comprehensive snack packs.

The airline industry has been hammered in recent years by soaring fuel costs, weak revenue and competition from lower-cost rivals. As a result, airlines have left no stone unturned in the quest for savings. Several carriers have cut back on food service and pillows.

Northwest Airlines earlier this month replaced complimentary meals with a $3 "smartsnacks" snack box on flights from its hubs to the West Coast, and replaced meals for sale with the snack boxes on 220 other flights.

United Airlines spokeswoman Robin Urbanski on Wednesday said the carrier is "seriously considering" selling the $5 snack boxes currently offered only on its low-cost airline, Ted. The snack boxes would be sold on United Airlines flights of more than 2-1/2 hours.

American Airlines, which offers complimentary granola bars and pretzels, in February began offering a $3 snack box and $5 sandwiches and wraps on its flights of three hours or more.

Air travelers, however, generally do not book flights based on snacks, one expert said, adding that the beefed-up snack offerings are unlikely to attract new business.

"I don't think anybody knows from day to day what they're going to get, or if you have a preferred salty snack whether you're going to get it on that airplane," said airline industry analyst Robert Mann. "I think this is much ado about nothing. Or much ado about insignificant salty snacks."