Realizing that a segment of passengers in Economy is willing to spend a bit more money in order to have a proper meal when flying, about ten full-service carriers around the world currently offer passengers in Economy the option to upgrade their meal for a fee, mostly on long-haul routes.
Austrian Airlines’ catering partner Do&Co has even opened a last-minute ordering desk at ViennaAirport where passengers can pre-order their meal up to just one hour before the departure of their flight.
Onboard picnic
Looking to take a (small) piece of the revenues that airlines generated with their buy-on-board F&B offerings, London Heathrow Airport has introduced a buy-before-you board initiative that offers passengers an ‘on-board picnic’ dining option where they can bring a bespoke ‘hamper’ (British for a meal takeaway box) with them on their flight.
The Daily Mail reports that the move from Heathrow comes after figures reveal about 20 per cent of passengers snub plane food, bringing their own airport-bought snacks on board a flight instead. A survey by the airport also showed that 70 percent of (British) passengers want flexibility about when they eat during their flight.
Available from all restaurants at Heathrow
Introduced by Gordon Ramsey’s Plane Food at Heathrow T5 a few years ago – and expanded earlier this year to some 70 restaurants – the service is now available at all of Heathrow’s 118 restaurants across its five terminals, which range from from chain cafés such as Pret a Manger and EAT, to restaurants including Heston Blumenthal’s The Perfectionist Café and Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food, as well as Caviar House and The Gorgeous Kitchen.
Passengers can also opt for pad thai from Wagamama in T5 or can place orders with YO! Sushi as they go through security at T2, picking their take-away box up just before boarding their plane. The ‘onboard picnics’ can be ready-to-go or prepared in about 15 minutes, depending on the type of meal selected.
All takeaway baskets are collapsible and designed to be easily stowed away under the seat or in the overhead locker. Some hampers are insulated bags designed to “ensure the food retains maximum taste and freshness at 35,000 feet”, keeping hot food warm and cold food cool, such as the ones from Caviar House which features an ice compartment. Passengers who return their insulated bags to Caviar House are offered a 15 per cent discount on their next on-board picnic purchase.
GBP 5.00 to 50
The meals vary in price and size according to venue, but typically cost between GBP 5 and GBP 50 and measure around 40 x 20 x 10cm. Starting at GBP5, the new picnics might even be a more affordable in-flight dining option for travellers when compared to budget airline food prices.
Commenting on the airport-wide take onboard service, Heathrow Head of Food and Beverage Ben Crowley said: “Onboard picnics give our passengers the freedom to choose when they eat their meal [and provide] them with an unparalleled selection. Whether they want caviar, sushi or pizza, there’s a restaurant that will package something up for them to take on board their flight.”
Austrian Airlines’ catering partner Do&Co has even opened a last-minute ordering desk at ViennaAirport where passengers can pre-order their meal up to just one hour before the departure of their flight.
Onboard picnic
Looking to take a (small) piece of the revenues that airlines generated with their buy-on-board F&B offerings, London Heathrow Airport has introduced a buy-before-you board initiative that offers passengers an ‘on-board picnic’ dining option where they can bring a bespoke ‘hamper’ (British for a meal takeaway box) with them on their flight.
The Daily Mail reports that the move from Heathrow comes after figures reveal about 20 per cent of passengers snub plane food, bringing their own airport-bought snacks on board a flight instead. A survey by the airport also showed that 70 percent of (British) passengers want flexibility about when they eat during their flight.
Available from all restaurants at Heathrow
Introduced by Gordon Ramsey’s Plane Food at Heathrow T5 a few years ago – and expanded earlier this year to some 70 restaurants – the service is now available at all of Heathrow’s 118 restaurants across its five terminals, which range from from chain cafés such as Pret a Manger and EAT, to restaurants including Heston Blumenthal’s The Perfectionist Café and Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food, as well as Caviar House and The Gorgeous Kitchen.
Passengers can also opt for pad thai from Wagamama in T5 or can place orders with YO! Sushi as they go through security at T2, picking their take-away box up just before boarding their plane. The ‘onboard picnics’ can be ready-to-go or prepared in about 15 minutes, depending on the type of meal selected.
All takeaway baskets are collapsible and designed to be easily stowed away under the seat or in the overhead locker. Some hampers are insulated bags designed to “ensure the food retains maximum taste and freshness at 35,000 feet”, keeping hot food warm and cold food cool, such as the ones from Caviar House which features an ice compartment. Passengers who return their insulated bags to Caviar House are offered a 15 per cent discount on their next on-board picnic purchase.
GBP 5.00 to 50
The meals vary in price and size according to venue, but typically cost between GBP 5 and GBP 50 and measure around 40 x 20 x 10cm. Starting at GBP5, the new picnics might even be a more affordable in-flight dining option for travellers when compared to budget airline food prices.
Commenting on the airport-wide take onboard service, Heathrow Head of Food and Beverage Ben Crowley said: “Onboard picnics give our passengers the freedom to choose when they eat their meal [and provide] them with an unparalleled selection. Whether they want caviar, sushi or pizza, there’s a restaurant that will package something up for them to take on board their flight.”
