The news: Delta Air Lines is tightening snack service on its shortest flights while expanding it on longer routes, per the New York Times.

Starting May 19, Delta will eliminate complimentary snacks and beverages in its Main Cabin and Delta Comfort sections on flights shorter than 350 miles. The airline said the move will affect about 9% of daily flying.

Meanwhile, flights of 350 or more miles will receive full snack and beverage service, broadening the number of trips where passengers get the standard onboard offering. First class isn’t affected by the cuts on shorter routes.

Why is this happening? The rationale appears to be as much about the logistics of short-haul service as it is economics. On short flights, crews have less time between takeoff and descent to provide cabin service, which can make for a rushed experience.

The move also comes as companies face elevated costs in the wake of the Iran war. Delta said the conflict could raise its fuel costs by more than $2 billion through June. That’s driving it to take other steps to aid the bottom line, including boosting fares and checked-bag fees.

Implications for airlines: The move sets Delta apart from its biggest rivals in ways that may not impress travelers. American provides snacks and drinks on flights longer than 250 miles, while United offers them on flights over 300 miles, per The Times.

With the shutdown of low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines just days ago, competitive pressure on shorter routes may ease, giving carriers less reason to differentiate every brief flight with cabin extras. And expanding full service on longer flights shows it’s not retreating from onboard service altogether but rather concentrating those perks where it likely sees the most commercial and brand value.

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