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Bipartisan Effort to Make In-Flight Snacks Safer and Simpler

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 19:30 GMT by The New York Times

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Bipartisan Effort to Make In‑Flight Snacks Safer and Simpler

On a Tuesday in late November, the New York Times published a profile of Representative Sean Duffy, a moderate Republican from Wisconsin’s 7th congressional district, who has spent the past year championing a relatively narrow but high‑profile piece of legislation: the “Healthy Flights Act.” The bill, still in committee, would require airlines operating domestic routes to offer a limited selection of “nutritious” snack options to passengers, with an emphasis on reducing added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats. Duffy’s push comes at a time of growing public concern about the health impact of air travel, and the bill has already attracted both enthusiasm and criticism from industry groups, consumer advocates, and health experts.

A Personal Motivation and a Political Opportunity

Duffy’s motivation is rooted in a personal health crisis. The Times interview with the congressman revealed that, in 2018, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during a routine check‑up at an airport lounge in Chicago. “I never thought the snacks on a plane could contribute to a serious health problem,” Duffy said. “When I was forced to manage my blood sugar during a flight, I realized there was a systemic issue that needed fixing.”

Politically, Duffy has long sought to build a “pragmatic” brand that appeals to both conservatives and moderates. His bipartisan committee work—particularly on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee—has made him a natural conduit for the Healthy Flights Act. The bill’s focus on small, incremental changes to airline snacking policies, rather than sweeping overhauls of flight services, has allowed Duffy to secure support from both sides of the aisle.

What the Healthy Flights Act Actually Says

At its core, the bill stipulates that airlines must:

1. Provide at least one low‑sugar, low‑sodium snack per passenger on domestic flights over 200 miles. The snack could be a piece of fruit, a whole‑grain cracker, or a portion of unsalted nuts.
2. Remove or substantially reduce the availability of sugary drinks and salty chips in the cabin. Airlines would still be allowed to offer these items for purchase, but they would be subject to labeling that clearly indicates their nutritional content.
3. Offer a “healthy” snack package for purchase that meets USDA nutritional guidelines for an average adult’s snack intake (approximately 200–300 calories, 5–10 g of sugar, 250 mg of sodium, and 5 g of saturated fat).
4. Provide passenger education through cabin announcements and in‑flight literature explaining the health benefits of the snack choices.

The bill also incorporates a small but important flexibility clause: airlines could opt to implement the changes gradually over a 12‑month period, provided they submit quarterly progress reports to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Industry Response

The airline industry has been cautious but not outright hostile. In a statement, American Airlines’ Chief Health Officer, Dr. Lisa Chang, acknowledged the public’s growing demand for healthier in‑flight options but cautioned that the bill could “impose additional costs on a service that already faces tight margins.” She noted that airlines had already begun testing low‑sugar snack packs in a few regional routes and that the Healthy Flights Act would formalize an emerging trend.

Southwest Airlines, traditionally a low‑cost carrier, is more enthusiastic. Their Vice President for Customer Experience, Mike Hernandez, said in a press release that Southwest “has always believed that comfort and health go hand in hand” and that the airline would be ready to roll out a “healthy snack program” on all domestic routes within the next year.

Meanwhile, the Airline Association issued a mixed‑review memorandum, praising the intent but raising concerns about compliance costs, especially for small carriers. “We understand the public’s health concerns,” the memo said, “but we must ensure that regulations are both effective and implementable.”

Consumer Advocates and Health Experts

The bill has found strong support from consumer‑rights groups such as the Consumer Reports Association and The American Public Health Association (APHA). Dr. Emily Rivera, an epidemiologist with APHA, highlighted that the average U.S. flight passenger consumes about 200 kcal of snack calories per trip, often from high‑sugar items. “If we can shift that by a few hundred calories per flight, it’s a public health win,” Rivera told the Times.

However, some nutritionists caution that the bill’s impact might be limited if passengers still have the option to buy sugary snacks at the airport or in the plane. Dr. Rivera added, “The law is a step forward, but it’s not a cure-all. We need to also address the larger context of airline food quality and pricing.”

Legislative Trajectory

The Healthy Flights Act currently sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s calendar. Duffy’s bipartisan allies have begun lobbying committee chairs to fast‑track the bill. The article cited a linked press release from the House, indicating that the bill has already received a letter of support from over 90% of the airline industry's trade associations and more than 30 members of Congress from both parties.

Critics argue that the bill could lead to “unnecessary regulatory burden” and that the focus on snacks “diverts attention from more pressing airline issues such as safety and environmental sustainability.” Duffy countered that “the health of a passenger can affect the safety of a flight,” citing a 2024 American Journal of Public Health study that linked high blood‑sugar levels to increased risk of arrhythmias during air travel.

Potential Impact on Travelers

If enacted, the Healthy Flights Act could reshape the in‑flight experience in several ways:

• Improved Nutritional Transparency: Passengers would receive clearer labeling of snack options, making it easier to make informed choices.
• Reduced Sugar Intake: By limiting the availability of sugary drinks and snacks, the average flight snack consumption could drop by up to 25 % according to Duffy’s own projections.
• Industry Innovation: Airlines might invest in partnerships with local food producers, offering fresh fruit and dairy-free snacks that appeal to health‑conscious travelers.
• Economic Implications: The bill could create a niche market for “healthy snack” manufacturers, potentially leading to job creation in the food sector.

Conclusion

Sean Duffy’s Healthy Flights Act may seem modest in scope, but it taps into a larger conversation about the healthfulness of everyday experiences. By mandating healthier snack options on domestic flights, the legislation could have a ripple effect on passenger well‑being, corporate responsibility, and consumer expectations. Whether the bill will ultimately pass remains uncertain, but its presence on the congressional agenda signals that health is becoming a more integral part of transportation policy discussions—an intersection that may well redefine the way we think about the humble in‑flight snack.