Passengers Could Soon Be Charged for Requesting Meals Before a Flight
Passengers could one day be charged to request meals before a flight. Airlines are already cracking down on a number of services they offer, with many charging for seat reservations, luggage, and even checking in. But flight crew are now calling for passengers to be charged to request special meals before a flight.
Flight Crew Wanting to Charge Passengers for Requesting Special Meals
Special Meals Request Delays
The Lufthansa flight attendants have hit back at the number of requests, Aero Telegraph reports, with there being around 11 options to choose from. This includes gluten-free and low cholesterol meals, as well as religious requirements such as Kosher. And crew have said some flights are having as many as 190 special meals requested. Not only is this causing huge delays to the rest of the service, as they have to be delivered first, but they warn they also are not always labelled with the seat number and name, so make it hard to find the right passenger.
Limiting Special Meals Options
Staff are calling to limit the number of special meals per flight, or to limit the amount of options to choose from. Some staff have even said they want passengers to pay for special meals, in the hope that would reduce the number of travellers wanting them. A Lufthansa spokesperson said: “The range of special meals and the associated on-board service processes, like other product and service topics, are regularly reviewed and further developed.”
Choosing the Best Plane Meal
Next time you are choosing your plane meal, there is a way to make sure yours is the tastiest. Mark Brega, British Airways’ executive chef previously said: “Generally, British food is very good, but it has a light flavour profile so spicier, more aromatic dishes tend to work better. Buttered chicken or chicken tikka masala are among our most popular dishes.” What you should avoid is heavy meals if you want to sleep, say experts. Some experts say you should avoid the food on planes altogether. Jebediah, a teacher who often travels between Vietnam and the US, said it is the only way to avoid jet lag. He explained: “I fast on the first flight, eating at the midway airport stopover. “I fast again on the next flight too, then eat again at the usual mealtime at my destination.”
Airlines with the Best Airplane Meals
Korean Air: Korean Air won best airline cuisine in last year’s Global Traveler’s awards. Some of their popular dishes onboard include bibimbap, a Korean rice dish, and ssambap, Korean rice lettuce rolls. It also made the top 10 for airlines with the best plane food in CN Travelers 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Japan Airlines: Coming in first place in the Reader’s Choice Awards was Japan Airlines. The airline has partnered with six Michelin-star chefs, each of whom have three stars – so you can expect it to be good. Passengers can choose bento boxes and miso soups onboard.
Singapore Airlines: Often voted one of the best airlines in the world, it is no surprising Singapore Airlines is said to have some of the best plane food. Chef Dennis Littley said: “Their gourmet meals rival those of ground-based restaurants.” Dishes include congee, a rice porridge, as well as Singaporean rice and curry options.
Conclusion
Airlines are now considering charging passengers for requesting meals before a flight, as flight crew are facing challenges with the increasing number of special meal requests. By limiting options and potentially charging for these meals, airlines hope to reduce delays and improve service efficiency. Additionally, choosing the right meal can enhance your flying experience, with certain airlines known for offering exceptional food options.