Air India's new menu to have curd-rice, jal jeera, mithai
Air India is all set to give its in-flight menu a makeover for international passengers from April 1. For instance, flights to the US will have curd-rice instead of green salad this summer. The airline has decided to make many such changes keeping in mind the passengers' health, while maintaining the traditional Indian touch. Notably, some domestic flights have already introduced the changed menu.
Fried, packaged food to be replaced by fresh Indian delicacies
Among the changes, the airline has decided to reduce lunch/dinner to a two-course meal from three courses. Packaged and fried food will be replaced by pao bhaji, ragda pattice, cutlets/puffs, vegetable upma or poha. Mint and ginger tomato chutneys will be served instead of salad. Along with that, there will be round-the-clock coffee availability in business class and traditional Indian sweets will be served.
Quality, taste, presentation, choice will be priority, says official
An official, while citing the note circulated internally by the airline, said, "Our focus will be on better quality, taste, presentation and choice. Fried items will be avoided and changes will be applicable to breakfast, lunch/ dinner, high tea and welcome drinks."
For breakfast, no more sliced fruits, but chilled flavored yogurt
The sweets will either be prepared in-house or catered by famous sweet shops. Moreover, aam panna and jal jeera will replace sweet fruit juices. "Similarly in breakfast, sliced fruits are to be replaced with chilled flavored yogurt and bread roll are to be replaced with croissants. Also, instead of plain soft rolls, focaccia rolls and masala bread will be served," said official.
It is a healthier meal plan, attests nutritionist
Ruhee Sagar, Delhi-based nutritionist said, "Curd-rice is actually light on the stomach and can help stay comfortable during long flights. Drinks like aam panna, buttermilk or fresh juices are always a healthier substitute to tinned or packaged juices that are usually high on added sugar."
Air India spends Rs. 800cr each year on catering services
Each year Rs. 800 crore are spent by Air India on catering services. Meanwhile, the government-owned airline has been experimenting with food menu for two years. They have also started asking for passenger's preference to reduce food wastage. In order to save cost, the airline carries food from India on long haul flights, which drew a lot of criticism as it compromises the freshness.
Since 2017, Air India has stopped serving non-veg to economy-passengers
Earlier in August 2017, the airline decided to do cost-cutting and avoid food wastage, and stopped serving non-vegetarian food in the economy class. The airline had strictly reserved serving of non-vegetarian food to the business class and first class passengers only. Along with the above changes, Air India had also cut down six menus in business and first class to demand-based.
