In-flight meals can lead to horror stories
maiden-voyage.com, the business travel network for professional women, and inflightfeed.com, a site dedicated to highlighting pre-order and buy-on-board airline meals, ran an independent survey amongst professional women around the world to find out what women really want from airline meals.
Let's face it, airline meals seem to always get a bad rap and everyone who has ever travelled on an aircraft will have an airline horror meal story. However, what if you're a female traveller? Is the inflight meal experience different for women who travel regularly for business? According to these survey results, apparently so.
Over 100 women (who travel regularly for business or pleasure) were surveyed in relation to their in-flight eating habits, special meal requirements, purchasing habits and their favourite airline meals.
Female business travellers are typically more diet conscious than ever. They are more likely to buy a healthy snack before boarding a flight because they cannot be sure what will be on offer on-board
Of the women surveyed, 76 per cent stated that meals were either too heavy in carbohydrates or suited more to male consumers. What about those women who travel on low-cost airlines or carriers who do not offer free food.
Only 20 per cent said that they purchase something on board an aircraft and over two fifths of women stated that they pre-plan their meals for their flight. This is a huge opportunity for airlines to improve their buy on board offering further.
Carolyn Pearson, CEO of maiden-voyage.com said: "Female business travellers are typically more diet conscious than ever. They are more likely to buy a healthy snack before boarding a flight because they cannot be sure what will be on offer on-board.
"Airlines could increase their inflight revenues by ensuring that they offer healthy options but also make their passengers aware before they shop elsewhere."
Nikos Loukas from Inflight Feed explains: "Airlines tend to look at passenger demographics on each route in order to work out what will be offered on their buy on board menus. Unfortunately in many cases carbohydrate heavy options and unhealthy snacks tend to win."
It's worth noting that many of the survey participants felt that buy on board products were expensive, offering little choice and many times items were already sold out.
However it's not all doom and gloom. Mary Kirby-Editor in Chief of the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) media platform, said: "Virgin America offers some great buy on board options that are healthy, delicious and well-priced. I also love the menu options and wide variety that is available on FlyDubai."
The Winners
Of the airlines mentioned in the survey Asian carriers such as Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Korean Air faired very well with their inflight meal offerings. However it was two UK airlines that ranked well as 20 per cent of respondents ranked Virgin Atlantic airline food suitable to their needs and 14 per cent stated that British Airways was their favourite. Of the low cost airlines easyJet was recognised as being the leader in buy on board snack options for women.
Tips
Sometimes it's about where you sit.
If you happen to be flying low cost, didn't prepare your snacks and didn't have time to purchase anything in the airport what can you do? "Sit closer to the front of the aircraft" says Loukas. Most inflight services commence at the front of the aircraft and move towards the rear of the aircraft. "You really have no hope in getting your first choice if you're sitting close to the back of the aircraft."
Pre Order
The survey results revealed that only 10 per cent of respondents have paid to "upgrade" their meal, with 41 per cent stating that they would pay an extra $10 to upgrade their meals. Pre order meal options on airlines are on the increase, passengers can now purchase a business class style of meal whilst sitting in economy class.
These meals are certainly a class above those generally dished out to economy class passengers therefore if you want to indulge or have a culinary inflight dining experience, pay to upgrade your meal! Some of the airlines offering upgrade options include: KLM, Air France, Delta Airlines, US Airways, Air Berlin, Sun Express, Austrian Airlines, Monarch, and Jet2.
Order the Special Meal
Many people these days are ordering special meals even if they do not follow a strict diet or lifestyle choice diet. A savvy 56 per cent of female travellers surveyed pre ordered a special meal in the hope of receiving something that is more palatable, and it's worth noting that those ordering a special meal are served first.
Do a bit of research
Some airlines are really trying hard to impress us with amazing inflight meal options. Do a bit of research before you travel you may actually be surprised at what's on offer. Skywork airlines in Switzerland will serve you a meal based on the destination you are flying to, very creative indeed and a lovely experience. Therefore, if you're flying from the UK to Switzerland they will serve you a local Swiss dish option. Flying to Italy? Expect an Italian inspired dish to get your trip started before you even arrive.
Share your in-flight meal tips with us in the comments below or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK
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