One of America's largest airlines is teaming up with one of America's favorite premium fast casual burger chains to bring a delicious new item to in-flight dining. That's right: Delta Air Lines has announced a new partnership with Shake Shack.

Starting Dec. 1, 2024, Delta will be serving Shake Shack cheeseburgers as an optional menu item for first-class passengers. This new Shake Shack-Delta Air Lines offering is currently planned only for select long-range Delta flights out of Boston, but Delta says it will expand the partnership in 2025 and offer Shake Shack in-flight meals in other markets.

What does this new way to eat Shake Shack mean for your flight plans? Let's look at why Delta Air Lines' new partnership with Shake Shack could be a harbinger of the future of air travel, and how the best airline cards can help upgrade your in-flight meal options.

How to eat Shake Shack on Delta Air Lines

If you're flying out of Boston on Delta Air Lines, you might want to upgrade to first class. Starting Dec. 1, 2024, Delta passengers in first class can choose Shake Shack cheeseburgers as a pre-selected meal option. (Note: this offering is only available for flights longer than 900 miles.)

First-class passengers can choose a Shake Shack cheeseburger meal within the Fly Delta app or through a link sent to them via email, between seven days and 24 hours before the flight. The burger can be customized with toppings (served on the side) like tomato, lettuce, and ShackSauce. And you don't just get a burger -- as part of the meal, you'll also get a Caesar salad, chips, and a dark chocolate brownie for dessert.

Do you want to get into Delta's first class to eat Shake Shack? Here's a good way to make it happen: use the best Delta Air Lines cards. Click here to learn more about how the best Delta airlines cards can help you earn frequent flyer miles -- and help you get upgrades to first class and eat Shake Shack at 35,000 feet.

Shake Shack in Delta first class is a sign of the future

In the past few years, airlines have started to offer more premium seating and perks to higher-paying customers. If you ever get the feeling that "basic economy" seats are getting more cramped, and that airlines are upselling you for every little thing like checked bags, well…you're right! Airlines have gotten more strategic and skillful at figuring out which customers are willing to pay extra for legroom, for a window seat, and for other little comforts. Airlines want to maximize profit from every seat on the plane.

Here's why Shake Shack in Delta first class is another sign of this premiumization trend in air travel: people might want to splurge on a first-class seat, or use credit card points or miles to upgrade, if they know they can eat their favorite Shake Shack burger in midair. Anything that airlines can do to make the in-flight experience more comfortable for higher-paying customers will be more likely to happen going forward.

Does this mean air travel will get worse for passengers in old-fashioned "coach" class and basic economy? Not necessarily. But more and more, if you want to avoid upselling and have the best experience on airlines, it pays to use airline credit cards or travel rewards credit cards. Having a stash of points or miles built up on one of your favorite cards can make it easier for you to splurge on a higher fare class with more legroom, more perks, or maybe even a Shake Shack burger on your inflight tray table.

Bottom line

Delta Air Lines' new partnership with Shake Shack is only launching in Boston for now, and only for first-class passengers. But this could be another sign of how airlines will get more creative and indulgent with special perks and experiences for higher-paying customers. The best airline cards can help you upgrade your in-flight experience, whether you want to eat Shake Shack in first class, or just get a few more inches of legroom.