Airline suggests passengers start skipping its in-flight meals

10 January 2023 , 14:42

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Japanese Airlines wants to serve less plane food (Image: Getty Images)

An airline is trying to convince its passengers not to eat the food it provides on its planes.

Japan Airlines (JAL) allows its customers to opt out of the meal service on certain flights through its JAL Ethical Choice MealSkip Option.

The scheme is designed to reduce food waste and allow customers to sleep and relax in comfort while onboard.

To take part, you have to cancel your meals at least 25 hours before you are due to fly.

This lets the airline lower the amount of food it brings onboard the flight, reducing the chance meals won't be sold and will go off, as well as reducing the weight of the plane.

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For every person who choses to skip a meal, JAL has pledged to donate money to an organisation which provides school meal programmes in developing countries.

The airline wants people to opt out of meals (Getty Images/500px Plus)

In emails to passengers, Japan Airlines wrote: “We would like to introduce to you a new service ‘JAL Ethical Choice MealSkip Option’, where you can cancel your meals during reservation to enjoy your sleep throughout the flight.

“Please use this service if you would like to take a good rest on the plane or if you would like to help us reduce food waste.”

The problem of food waste from commercial planes is not a small one, with the International Air Transport Association approximating that six million tonnes of waste is produced each year.

In a statement published in December, JAL said: “In order to pass on a prosperous planet to the next generation, the JAL Group is committed to making every flight sustainable and transforming air travel into a value to be proud of, by aiming to achieve zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

“As part of this, we will further expand our various inflight meal initiatives to achieve SDGs.

“This service, which helps reduce food waste while allowing passengers to rest comfortably in the cabin, and has been well received by customers, especially those who board late-night flights, who say they are glad to be able to take a good night’s rest.”

James Asquith loves to eat on planes (James Asquith/ CATERS NEWS)

One man who is unlikely to opt out of the meals is James Asquith, who has been travelling for 15 years and takes to social media to review his different in-flight feasts, having been on over 2,000 flights.

He has been able to pursue his love of whizzing around at 30,000 feet by launching his own travel business Holiday Swap, where you can rent out your house or exchange the property for a period.

James explained: "I love airplane food, and by almost living on planes you get used to it.

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“I have to say the Japanese meals and wagyu steaks on the Japanese airlines of ANA and Japan Airlines have been the best.

"The strangest meal I have had was a leaf with some sauce on. It was rather plain - I think that was on Sudan Airways.

“I won’t fly private because I don’t find it responsible, I actually prefer commercial - it reminds me of where I came from, and I simply love the buzz of people around me."

Milo Boyd