While vegans are used to underwhelming food options at most dining venues, this business-class inflight vegan meal was downright un-a-peeling.
A business class passenger was “shocked” to be served a single banana and a pair of chopsticks for his pre-ordered inflight vegan meal aboard a 7.5-hour Japan Airlines flight.
Kris Chari received a banana as part of the snack service while non-vegan passengers on the same flight enjoyed seared tuna with a Moroccan-style eggplant salad, cheese with orange salsa and a baguette as per the airline’s business class menu.
Mr Chari posted his disappointing breakfast option on the Flyer Talk forum, telling Business Insider he expected a plant-based equivalent and was shocked to discover that the banana was a catered meal.
“It’s a bit insulting to be served a single banana while others are given a far more substantial and flavourful menu,” he said.
“It seems especially important given the growth in the number of vegans and vegetarians.”
A JAL representative apologised for not meeting expectations and said the banana was the special meal option for the snack service on this February flight.
The business-class vegan lunch option on the flight consisted of spaghetti, while the Western menu offered a cheese omelette, ratatouille and chicken sausage or grilled salmon on the Japanese menu.
JAL offers a vegetarian vegan (VGML) meal option as part of its special inflight meals. The website example shows a bread roll, sorbet, a variety of salads and a main meal with rice and a protein substitute. But no banana.
As per most airlines, JAL special meals must be ordered at least 24 hours before departure.
Other airlines have also recently come under fire on social media for their lack of vegan and vegetarian options. Qantas removed vegetarian meals from its domestic services, while an Air Canada passenger received only water during a 10-hour flight.
Carriers that have recently added extensive vegan meal options in all classes include Korean Air, ANA, Air Canada, China Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Emirates.
