The days when an in-flight vegan meal was just a tray of plain peeled vegetables (and I speak from personal experience) now seem to be a thing of the past, as an increasing number of international airlines are catering to the veggie traveller.
In response to the pressure to offset carbon emissions, as well as to satisfy the needs of a growing global vegan community, major players in the airline industry are widening their culinary choice.
With 23% of American Airlines’ passengers opting to pre-order a vegan meal, the airline now provides a number of vegetarian options, including appetisers, mains and desserts. Singapore Airlines also has a number of plant- based alternatives available, having partnered with Canyon Ranch to offer dishes such as stuffed delicata squash. Meanwhile, Qantas is now reviewing its Special Meals Program so it can better cater to vegans.
For many carriers, vegan burgers are now part of their in-flight offering. In July 2019, Air New Zealand became the first airline to have the meatless Impossible Burger on its menu, and Japan Airlines is now serving Beyond Meat’s famous variety.
Emirates has placed particular emphasis on going plant-based after witnessing a demand for vegetarian food throughout Veganuary – the trend for avoiding meat- based products in January of each year – with a 10% increase among its passengers during this period. The airline can now boast a menu of over 170 vegan options in its Dubai lounges.
This is all good news for planteaters on the move, who no longer have to pack their own provisions to see them through a flight. As the world opens back up post-Covid and we take to the skies again, green flyers can feel reassured that veganism is climbing high.
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