It’s a veg meal on Air India domestic

July 11, 2017 12:32 am | Updated 12:32 am IST

 

I express my complete disagreement with the step taken by Air India and the juvenile arguments put forth in favour of it by the airline’s Chairman and Managing Director (“No non-veg for domestic economy class fliers: AI”, July 10). It almost seems to be another instance of the government now telling us what we can be allowed to eat when we fly by the national carrier. This step will surely affect sales as 80% or more of seats on any flight are in economy.

The chairman’s logic that it will avoid a mix-up of non-vegetarian meals being served to vegetarian passengers by mistake is absurd. Instead of ensuring that the cabin crew serve the correct meal, he has decided that passengers should not get the food of their choice. Long-term frequent fliers flying Air India will definitely shun the airline. The sooner it is sold to a private owner with common sense, the better for Air India.

Terence D’Souza,

Chennai

Air India’s announcement is unacceptable and objectionable to any cautious air traveller. Citing reasons such as preventing the chance of a mix-up —of a vegetarian meal with a non-vegetarian one —are only hilarious. It can be viewed only as a lack of application of mind and should not be generalised. The age-old system of providing meals by choice should not be disturbed by force or compulsion. The move, explained on the pretext of cutting expenses and reduction of wastage, should not be used to cover up the huge losses that are affecting the airline.

The type of food served on flights should be viewed only as a socio-cultural issue and not as an economic issue such as cost reduction or waste minimisation.

J. Edwin Thomson,

Chennai

When the government is insisting on the abolition of disparities among other things, it is strange that Air India should adopt a partisan attitude of serving non-vegetarian meals only to business class passengers and deny this option to economy class passengers. It is unfortunate that economy class passengers, despite being full-fare paying passengers also, are being denied a food option. One of the reasons — to prevent a meal mix-up — appears to be ill-conceived as serving both types of meals is still going to be continued in the higher classes. So the chances of a mix-up still exist. Differential treatment of passengers depending on the class they travel in does not speak well of the airline.

D. Sethuraman,

Chennai

It is better that Air India sets a standard and provides passengers tasty and hygiene food. It is not possible to satisfy all with unique food. A fixed menu makes it easier to have faster and more efficient service. One must also consider that Air India is mired in debt. More over, vegetarian food is relished by most people. The measures taken towards cost reduction without compromising on quality are welcome. There are many food caterers who can supply economical but healthy and tasty snacks and food packs. Air India needs to explore such options with different caterers too.

Gudipati Anirudh,

Secunderabad

The news soothes the mind and palate of vegetarian passengers on Air India. I hope the move is extended to international flights. A vegetarian passenger always has a niggling fear that what he is served on board may not be “truly vegetarian”. A non-vegetarian passenger is not affected by this and can always have a vegetarian meal without fear. Being a strict vegetarian I was put to difficulty once when I travelled by business class on a foreign airline. The Asian vegetarian meal was not of my choice and tasted odd. It made me decide that in future I would travel with my own home-cooked food. Ever since I made this move, I have always had a peaceful journey.

N. Visveswaran,

Chennai

Air India’s decision is a step in the right direction. Though the carrier has justified the decision on the ground of austerity, as a vegetarian I avoid having meals served on board. I have found the aroma from non-vegetarian meals served to co-passengers to be unbearable and upsetting. It has put me off and I have been unable to relish my inflight meal. It is strange that a passenger has difficulty not having non-vegetarian food for a few hours especially as domestic flights are short in duration. People addicted to smoking have adjusted well to global restrictions on inflight smoking. While the right to food of one’s choice is not disputable, the sentiments of co-passengers need to be respected too in public spaces. The Indian Railways should also take a leaf out of Air India’s book and start serving only vegetarian food.

V. Subramanian

Chennai

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