Many airlines now offer a vegan option for their meals.
However, this sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, as one passenger recently noted.
A larger meal is included on most airlines on long-haul flights – but while passengers may not expect gourmet fare on board, many expect at least basic needs to be met.
Vegan menus are now part of the standard repertoire for many airlines.
A passenger named Kris Chari chose just such an option on a Japan Airlines flight from Jakarta to Tokyo - but what he was presented with as food left him speechless.
Not convinced: Passenger 'shocked' by vegan menu on plane
Seared tuna, a Moroccan eggplant salad, cheese with orange salsa and a baguette - that's what passengers who chose the non-vegan meal on the plane received.
This contrasts with the dish that Chari received as a meatless version: a banana with two chopsticks.
He was "quite frankly shocked" when he was served the food.
Actually, he expected to get something equivalent to the non-vegan menu, such as a sandwich, a salad, a vegan cheese or a baguette.
"It's a bit insulting to be served a single banana while others are being served a more substantial and flavorful dish."
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A banana was the only thing a plane passenger received as a snack on Japan Airlines.
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© Panthermedia/Imago (montage)
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Vegan menu fails for flight passenger - airline apologizes
There would have been two meals during the seven-hour flight, as Japan Airlines reported, according to the online portal
Business Insider
.
The first was a light refreshment snack served right after take-off and the second was lunch.
The banana was served as a snack for all special meals on this flight.
According to Chari, the main course was spaghetti in the vegan variant, while passengers who chose a dish with meat could choose between the "Western" menu - including cheese omelette, ratatouille and chicken sausage - and the "Japanese" menu - grilled salmon.
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"We apologize that we were unable to meet expectations," an airline spokesman told
Business Insider
.
"We will continue to adjust our menus in light of the growing interest and diverse needs of customers requesting special meals, including this customer's valuable feedback."
List of rubrics: © Panthermedia/Imago (montage)