Alaska Airlines is celebrating Hawaii by offering Hawaiian-themed food like a tropical cheese plate for $7 during the month of October. They also offer a grilled teriyaki chicken meal for $6. Continental Airlines charges for meals starting at $4.50 for a noodle salad or $6.25 for a cheeseburger while Virgin America sells a hummus and veggies plate for $9, competing with airport food options. United Airlines offers a $24.99 brunch package on some coast-to-coast flights that must be pre-ordered online.

1. Celebrating Hawaii To celebrate its third year of flying to Hawaii, Alaska Airlines is selling Hawaiian-themed meals during the month of October, such as this tropical cheese plate for $7.

2. The Northern Bites Grilled Teriyaki Chicken ($6) is another of Alaska Airlines' food offerings for Hawaiian month.

3. Continental Airlines is the last major domestic carrier to jettison free meals. But for $6.25, passengers can order this Angus cheeseburger.

4. You can order this Asian-style noodle salad (yes, served in a Chinese take-out box) on some Continental flights, but it will cost you $4.50.

5. Virgin America offers its most popular item -- a veggies and hummus plate -- for $9 on all flights. “We are absolutely competing with airport food,” said Rob Gallagher, Virgin America’s catering manager. “Airports are now doing so many wonderful things with food.”

6. United Airlines has introduced a new $24.99 brunch -- complete with quiche, sparkling wine and chocolate -- for travelers flying on premium service flights between New York and Los Angeles or San Francisco. The catch: Meals must be ordered online at least 72 hours before a flight.