Can I or can't I eat and drink on my next flight?
The total suspension of food and beverage service on board during the pandemic (both for sale and courtesy) has been part of the scrupulous aviation industry protocol To try to minimize interaction between crew and passengers , and thus guarantee a safer trip for all. Also, although it sounds like the most unpopular measure, it has been as part of a cost reduction program in the midst of an unprecedented crisis for the industry. Thus, in practically no short and medium haul flights in recent months have served food or drink , something that, fortunately, seems to be starting to change.
If on the mainland alcohol sales seem to have skyrocketed during the lockdown, its return to planes will be a more low-key experience, but just as safe. With the face masks already mandatory on almost all flights around the world, and the new legislation that requires do not consume alcohol on a plane that is not served by the airline itself (although yes it can be transported in bottles that do not exceed 100ml and that they are properly sealed), there are not a few airlines that are limiting the water only drink options . In addition to reducing interaction with the crew, another of the arguments put forward by the airlines is that as when drinking (and eating) we must remove our face masks, do not serve alcohol it's a way of ensuring that passengers don't gloat longer than necessary with a glass of wine in hand. We don't even talk about toasts.
Although during the month of July he is already recovering a certain normality in the catering service on board , there is still a lot, time and effort, to restore normality. One of the first airlines to take a step forward was the American Delta, which earlier this month announced that will return to serving alcohol on its domestic flights , or short-medium haul (in long haul practically no airline has stopped offering it, but practically there have been no flights either). As confirmed by the American airline in a statement, drinks will be free in both first class and your Delta comfort plus class and, as before, "alcohol will be available for purchase in economy class." For all of them, Delta has developed a service procedure that minimize contact points which, if all goes well, will be the first step to normalize food and beverage service on the airline in particular, and we hope that in aviation in general, since at the moment food is still served individually wrapped and not in the traditional trays that make up the menu. There are also no options to choose from. , since that would imply distributing the characteristic card with the printed menu.
In Spain, Iberia confirms its current situation through its website: “ on short and medium haul flights we have abolished on-board catering , as well as magazines to avoid contact ; and on long-haul flights, at the moment we only operate repatriation flights, we use consumable items and all linen is sanitized after each flight.”
On other European airlines, such as KLM , who makes a European flight You will receive a box containing a sandwich free of charge if your trip is economy class. In Business Class, the menu will be served in another box, but this time created by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders with breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on the flight schedule. On intercontinental flights, the passenger will get a bag that contains some sandwiches, fruits and drinks and, in economy class, the airline also serves a salad, a hot meal and a dessert. In Business Class, the menu is made up of a salad, a hot meal, a dessert, cheese and crackers that come together with the crockery also created by Wanders.
British Airways Nor does it offer alcoholic beverages on its domestic flights. , but in this case business class customers have complimentary soft drinks along with a bottle of water. Special meals, including children's meals, are temporarily unavailable.
And despite the fact that changes are slow, but like everything in aviation, they are also safe, the airline air France just announced that on flights lasting less than 2.30h , we're resuming our beverage service and on our flights that last more than 2.30 hours as well, but with more offer”. The French flag carrier confirms that “on our long-haul flights, we are gradually reintroducing a more complete meal service with more options and individually packaged products. In addition, there will be a second meal served in its characteristic “Bon Appétit” bags on flights over 8:30”.
Like the rest of the airlines and as a direct consequence of the pandemic, Air France does not offer duty-free items on its flights either. newspapers and magazines on board your flights , but except for the 'duty free', all of the above can be found in the Air France Play app , which is possible to download before the flight.
Airline alcohol, another "affected" by Covid-19