File this under counterintuitive: While airplane seats continue to get smaller, the calories in the snacks the airlines offer are definitely on the increase. This is according to DietDetective.com's 2015 Airline Food Survey, which tracks and rates the quality of airline food served by 11 U.S. carriers and one Canadian airline every year.
The survey found that the average number of calories per food item has increased by 40 calories since 2012. In 2012, food items averaged 360 calories; in 2013 it was 388 calories; last year, 397 calories; and this year, 400 calories.
How did the airlines rate overall in food quality? For the second year in a row, Virgin America earns the top spot for the healthiest food choices in the sky. Delta and JetBlue tied for second. Frontier Airlines received the lowest score.
"The 'Shame on You' goes to Frontier," says Charles Platkin, PhD, MPH, public health advocate, editor of DietDetective.com and a professor at Hunter College and the City University of New York School of Public Health.
Here's how Dr. Platkin's survey rated all the airlines in a five-star ranking system:
Virgin America **** 1/2
Average Calories Overall (meals, snack boxes and individual snacks) = 352.27
Average Snack Box Calories = 394
Average Meal Calories = 408
Average Individual Snack Calories = 259.38
JetBlue Airways ****
Average Calories Over All (meals, snack boxes and individual snacks) = 327
Average Snack Box Calories = 513
Average Meal Calories = 483
Average Individual Snack Calories = 157.75
Delta Air Lines ****
Average Calories Over All (meals, snack boxes and individual snacks) = 512
Average Snack Box Calories = 712
Average Meal Calories = 546.3
Average Individual Snack Calories = 320
Air Canada ***1/4
Average Calories Overall (meals and Individual Snacks) = 327
Average Meal Calories = 343.6
Average Individual Snack Calories = 311
United Airlines *** 1/4
Average Calories Overall (meals, snack boxes and individual snacks) = 454
Average Meal Calories = 467
Average Snack Box Calories = 535.5
Average Individual Snack Calories = 388
American Airlines ** 3/4
Average Calories Overall (meals, snack boxes and individual snacks) = 429.25
Average Meal Calories = 519.20
Average Snack Box Calories = 398
Average Individual Snack Calories = 359.50
Alaska Airlines ** 1/2
Average Calories Overall (meals and Snack boxes) = 537
Average Snack Box Calories = 399.5
Average Meal Calories = 606
Southwest Airlines * 1/2
Average Calories = 108
Allegiant Air * 1/2
Average Calories Overall (Snack boxes and Individual Snacks) = 386.22
Average Individual Snack Calories = 421.16
Average Snack Box Calories = 316
Spirit Airlines * 1/4
Average Calories Overall (individual snacks and Snack boxes) = 422.5
Average Individual Snack Calories =409.5
Average Snack Box Calories = 540
Hawaiian Airlines * 1/4
Average Calories Overall (meals, snack boxes and individual snacks) = 588
Average Meal Calories = 954
Average Individual Snack Calories = 452
Average Snack Box Calories = 417
Frontier Airlines *
Average Individual Snack Calories = 356.14
For the complete survey results, including detailed comments and best bets, visit dietdetective.com.