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Vegan business class passenger left shocked after seeing his in-flight meal

Kris Chari expected to receive the equivalent of what non-vegan passengers were served, such as a sandwich, salad, vegan cheese, or a baguette
UPDATED FEB 27, 2023
Kris Chari said he was insulted by the airline's measly offering (Kris Chari/Flyertalk.com)
Kris Chari said he was insulted by the airline's measly offering (Kris Chari/Flyertalk.com)

TOKYO, JAPAN: A Japan Airlines passenger was left astounded when he was served a banana with chopsticks as part of the vegan inflight menu while traveling business from Jakarta in Indonesia to Tokyo in Japan on Tuesday, February 21. The passenger, Kris Chari, said that the flight was scheduled to last more than seven hours.

A Japan Airlines spokesperson told Insider that two different meals were served during the flight. The first was a snack and light refreshment provided after takeoff, while the other was lunch. The regular snack option consisted of seared tuna with a Moroccan-style eggplant salad, cheese with orange salsa, and a baguette, per the airline's menu and Chari's account. 

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'Insulting' 

Chari told the outlet that he expected to receive the equivalent of what non-vegan passengers were served as a snack, such as a sandwich, salad, vegan cheese, or a baguette. "Instead, I was served a single banana," he said. Before the plane took off, the flight attendant told Chari that the banana was a catered meal. He said he was "frankly quite shocked."

"It's a bit insulting to be served a single banana while others are given a far more substantial and flavorful menu," he said. "It seems especially important given the growth in the number of vegans and vegetarians."

Japan Airlines' statement

"We apologize for not being able to meet expectations," a spokesperson for Japan Airlines told Insider. The spokesperson confirmed that banana was the only form of snack and refreshment option available for all special meals on this flight. "We will continue to respond to our menus in light of the growing interest and diverse needs of customers requesting special meals, including the valuable feedback from this customer," the spokesperson said.

Chari said the second vegan meal he received was spaghetti. For non-vegan passengers flying in February, the lunch options included a cheese omelet, ratatouille, and chicken sausage on the "Western Menu," and grilled salmon on the "Japanese Menu," per the airline's website.

A "vegetarian vegan meal" is listed under special meal menus on Japan Airlines' website. It shows a sample picture of salad bowls, a baguette, a halal sorbet, and a larger dish containing rice.

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