Caribbean Airlines Limited has quietly reintroduced free hot meals to its economy cabins on a phased basis after removing the service due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Guardian Media reports that beginning April 15, the option of either a hot breakfast, lunch or dinner meal is now being served onboard the Trinidad-based carrier, depending on the flight timing. 

For now, meals are only being served on select flights originating out of the Trinidadian capital Port of Spain (POS) including New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), Toronto (YYZ), and Orlando (MCO) services.

However, hot meals will be rolled out to select services departing from other destinations at a later date. 

Like many full-service airlines, Caribbean Airlines suspended its hot meal service during the COVID-19 pandemic in a bid to protect customers and crew. Meals were replaced with sandwiches/prepackaged snack bags to reduce contact points.

Post-pandemic international travel has now rebounded to almost 2019 levels, with CAL carrying two million passengers in 2023 while the Caribbean airline is seeking to both attract new flyers and maintain its current customer base. 

The decision to re-introduce hot meals is the latest in a slew of changes aimed at improving the passenger experience at various customer touchpoints. 

Over the past few months, CAL has introduced re-designed boarding passes, upgraded cabin interiors on some of its older aircraft, and unveiled new uniforms for customer-facing staff. The airline expects to launch several new Caribbean routes this year, as well as induct new aircraft into its fleet.