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Airline meals - Special Meals
An airline is in the business of making money, so everything they
do is generally dictated by the bottom line – the profit.
When it comes to in-flight food airlines normally cost each meal
out on a per passenger basis (and then tender out the catering to
suit). Airlines calculate to spend (for example) $5.00 per passenger
on average for the meals they provide for a particular flight. Not
all airlines are created equal in this regard however, as some airlines
are happy to spend a reasonable amount per passenger for food, while
others try to spend as little as possible. It could be assumed from
this that the food cost per passenger is normally reflected in the
price of the ticket, but sadly this is not always the case. |
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As a result of keeping the cost
of the food down, so too are the choices that are available to
passengers when it comes to in-flight meals. But there are alternatives
to the standard fare that are available and the only pre-requisite
is that you ask for it with enough notice.
Generally speaking, most airlines offer what is known as ‘special
meals’. These are meals that are prepared especially
for passengers with special dietary needs, such as meals for children,
religiously prepared meals, vegetarian, low fat or low salt, dairy-free
and so forth. Special meals can also be prepared for those who have
allergies to particular foods. The airline’s only obligation
under this arrangement is to provide you with a meal that is comparable
to those that are regularly served to other passengers during the
flight. Check with your airline as to the meals that they have available
as they normally provide a set range of options to choose from.
To request a special meal for your flight make sure that you inform
the airline, or your travel agent, at least two days before you
are due to depart. Generally speaking you only need to give the
airline 24 hrs notice, but the more time you can give them the better.
There is no additional cost for ordering a special meal, but the
onus is on you to ensure that you are specific about what you do
or do not want in your meal. If you have an allergy to particular
foods for example, be very specific about what foods you cannot
have. The airline will do its best in all cases to accommodate your
requirements, but they cannot anticipate your needs if you do not
tell them.
If you do request a special meal it’s normally a good idea
to confirm this with the airline when you confirm your flight some
24 hrs before departure. While not all airlines require you to confirm
your flight these days you should consider doing so to ensure your
special meal has been acknowledged. When entering the aircraft for
your flight, or at some point before the meals are served, you may
want to check with a flight attendant that you are marked for a
special meal. If there has been an error and your meal is not available,
or the airline has forgotten to load that meal on the aircraft for
whatever reason, you should ask for a meal voucher as compensation.
You will normally be able to use these vouchers at a food establishment
at the destination or transit airport. Most airlines will be more
than willing to compensate you in this fashion if they have neglected
to supply you with a special meal when requested. Remember though
that if the airline has forgotten your meal, don’t take it
out on the cabin staff. It’s not their fault, and they will
normally do what they can to help you if you are polite and reasonable.
If you’re in-flight and find that you cannot eat any of the
meals on offer from the regular menu, you can always wait for the
meal service to finish and then ask the cabin attendants if there
are any special meals left. Most airlines offer a choice of meal
(for example, a choice between a fish or a chicken meal) and in
some cases the passengers first choice runs out before they get
served. In those cases, particularly if you state that you are unable
to eat what is left, they may be able to provide you with a meal
from first or business class if there are any left. Be polite to
the attendants and they may be able to help you.
Of course, all of this aside, you could very well bring your own
food on board the plane. Some airlines frown on this alternative,
and you might well be advised to check out import and export regulations
in the countries you are travelling from/to as some foodstuffs are
not permitted through customs. If you do bring your own food on
board, have some consideration for your fellow travellers. The smells
and tastes that you are accustomed to might not be appetizing to
others.
Bon appetite! |
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