After months of consideration, Delta Air Lines announced Thursday that it will offer free meals to all passengers on a handful of transcontinental routes beginning next month.

Beginning March 1, the Atlanta-based carrier will serve complimentary meals in the main cabin on flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as well as JFK and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). 

Then, on April 24, the airline will expand the free meals to all passengers on flights between Boston and SFO; Boston and LAX; Boston and Seattle; Washington Reagan National and LAX; JFK and Portland; JFK and San Diego; JFK and Seattle; Seattle and Fort Lauderdale; Seattle and Orlando; and Seattle and Raleigh-Durham.

Delta said its new meal program will feature different options for customers. However, those options will depend on the time of day passengers are flying. 

In the morning, customers will be able to choose from a Honey Maple Breakfast Sandwich, a Luvo Breakfast Medley or a simple fruit and cheese plate. During the daytime, passengers will be able to select a Mesquite-Smoked Turkey Combo, a Luvo Mediterranean Whole Grain Veggie Wrap or the fruit and cheese plate.

Meanwhile, overnight fliers will be offered a breakfast bar during the pre-arrival beverage service.

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Following next month's initial launch, though, Delta said that the menus on all 12 routes will change to reflect the season as well as highlight locally-sourced food and beverages.

The airline credited a test conducted late last year for the soon-to-come improvement.

"We are all about making our Main Cabin experience the best it can be for our customers and offering free, high-quality meals is a big part of that experience," said Delta's senior vice president of in-flight service Allison Ausband in a statement. "When we tested this concept, our customers loved it and appreciated it so we are implementing in our most strategic markets."

Thursday's announcement comes just one day after Delta released the latest version of its Fly Delta app featuring integrated wayfinding maps for 20 major airports around the world.

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