Originally Posted by
ATOBTTR
While you're correct that it's market driven, ATL-HNL, MSP-HNL, and soon DTW-HNL have no nonstop competition either, yet these routes do receive complimentary meals while conversely, DL does compete against HA on a few West Coast to Hawaii routes (HNL, OGG, KOA, and LIH) yet HA gives free meals in Y while DL does not, so it's more than just whether a route has "nonstop competition" or not.
Also Delta is now providing (albeit light) meals on flights like BOS-SEA/LAX/SFO in Y, but not on routes like ANC-ATL or MIA-SEA which are longer flights. Wish Delta would just establish a blanket rule of flights over 6 hours get free meals in Y. The free meals in Y on BOS-SEA probably cost Delta $2 (it's just a luovo wrap).