As a dedicated food and travel journalist, I often find myself traversing thousands of miles and taking to the skies multiple times a month. Thanks to my esteemed Platinum status with Delta, I've had the delightful privilege of enjoying occasional free upgrades. So, when the airline announced this groundbreaking "first-of-its-kind partnership" with Shake Shack, serving their iconic cheeseburger to first-class passengers, I knew I had to redeem some of my hard-earned points.

Navigating the Smallprint

It's important to note that these delectable burgers are exclusively available to first-class passengers on flights departing from Boston's Logan Airport after 9:46 am and on routes spanning more than 900 miles. (Delta has hinted at expanding this collaboration to more cities starting in 2025.) A crucial aspect is that passengers must pre-select the cheeseburger at least 24 hours prior to departure. This means that if you're hoping for a last-minute upgrade and crossing your fingers, you might just miss out on savoring this in-flight treat as there won't be any extras on board.

Airplane Food Dilemma

Airplane food is a topic that often divides opinions. I, personally, am someone who truly relishes having a hot meal during a flight rather than settling for a sad granola bar that has been lurking in my carry-on bag for who knows how long. While it may not always reach restaurant-quality standards, in those moments when you've cut it too close and don't have time to stop by the lounge for a quick bite before the flight, an in-flight meal becomes a welcome sight.

The Cheeseburger Conundrum

Initially, I was uncertain about how I would feel about this new addition to the in-flight menu. Pasta is one thing, but a cheeseburger? I envisioned a sad, mushy bun and a dry, flavorless patty. The very thought of the smell permeating the cabin was enough to make me hesitant. But to my pleasant surprise, this meal exceeded all my expectations.The photograph by Jacqueline Dole truly captures the essence of this culinary experience. When it comes to comparing this in-flight burger to a typical Shake Shack burger on the ground, things take on a different perspective at 36,000 feet. At altitude, don't expect to find the familiar fries and Concretes. Delta exclusively serves the cheeseburger accompanied by a Caesar salad, potato chips, and a dark chocolate brownie. The cheeseburger is a 100% Angus beef patty topped with cheese, just like it is in the restaurant. In-flight, it is served on a toasted potato bun with tomato, lettuce, pickles, onions, and Shack Sauce all served on the side.The cheeseburger was truly exceptional. The patty maintained its crispy, caramelized crust, the cheese was melted to perfection, and the potato bun was soft without being soggy. This was likely due in part to the way the burger is prepared. The bottom bun, meat, and cheese are pre-assembled, while the top bun is added after heating. Keeping the toppings on the side ensured that the burger remained fresh and was not a cumbersome task to assemble in the cabin.

Collaboration Behind the Scenes

Natalia Arenas Gallo, a corporate communications officer for Delta, explains that the Delta and Shake Shack teams worked closely together to ensure they could offer a cheeseburger that meets passengers' expectations. This process involved Shake Shack training Delta's kitchen staff and sharing detailed cooking instructions, including specific preparation procedures for each burger component and the appropriate cooking tools to be used.The Caesar salad was a bit unconventional with the addition of cucumbers, but that's nothing that Massachusetts' own Ken's Steak House Caesar dressing can't fix, and that's what comes on the side. However, the real star of the show was the Shake Shack-branded dark chocolate brownie. As a trained pastry chef, I have baked and tasted my fair share of brownies, and this one was undoubtedly the best I've ever had - perfectly fudgy without being gooey and deliciously dense. Of course, I couldn't resist asking if there were any extras on board, but unfortunately, there weren't. But it never hurts to ask.The smell of the burger was virtually non-existent, perhaps due in part to the HEPA filters that most commercial aircraft are equipped with.Here's hoping that this unique collaboration between Delta and Shake Shack will continue to delight passengers for a long time to come.