Singapore Airlines has been drawing criticism in the past few months for the allegedly poor quality of its economy class meals. At present, passengers on economy class flights that are less than 3.5 hours get to enjoy one main course and a dessert.
This will change from 1st June onwards. The airline has since decided to re-introduce appetizers into selected economy class flights. Passengers on short-haul flights spanning between 1.5 and 3.5 hours will have bread rolls and butter alongside their meals complete with a main course and a dessert, while passengers on flights that take three and a half hours and longer will be able to enjoy an assortment of appetizers in addition to which they will be served with a main course, a bread roll, cheese and crackers and dessert.
The spokesperson for SIA said that SIA had removed the appetizers owing to supply chain reasons to avoid food wastage. They are since working with suppliers to resume serving some items and have since reintroduced other items in economy class. The spokesperson also said that plans for this reinstatement commenced prior to SIA’s full-year results. She stated that certain items were restored to the meal tray before that, and that the move was not linked to the recent record-breaking profits of the airline.
Another pressing issue was the trial paper tableware that SIA said is better able to retain moisture and heat than a casserole dish, hence allowing the airline to serve gravy and soup-based dishes such as mee siam and laksa. A spokesman said that after considering feedback from passengers the airline had decided that they will not be proceeding with paper boxes at least for medium and long haul flights for the time being and are aware that they may have to change the design of the packaging.
Although the current budget for inflight meals is 20% higher than for its 2019/2020 financial year, Singapore Airlines expects a smaller capacity than that year. A record annual profit of $ 2.16 billion was posted by SIA for the 2022/23 financial year, rebounding from a loss of $ 962 million the previous year. In addition, the airline has put up a tender to purchase hot towels, which will close at noon on the 5th of June.
SIA has long been reputed for its impeccable service and wide array of high-quality food options that are served to passengers regardless of what class they sit in.
