We recently flew on Singapore Airlines in economy class from Siem Reap to Singapore. Being trained by US carriers, I wasn’t expecting much of a cabin service beyond a drink and snack on the 2-hour flight.
I was shocked to see that the cabin crew started preparing the in-flight meal service as soon as possible. We were tired from the last three days of our tour and were looking toward a relaxing trip home. (No comment about my ill-fitting mask – I wasn’t aware that Cambodia still had a mask requirement and left my masks in my checked bag. So I used one of Sharon’s spares. At 4’6″, she wears kids’ sized masks)
Since I used Aeroplan miles to book the flight we could only choose seats toward the back of the plane.
For a 2-hour trip, I don’t care where I sit and since we had full KrisWorld IFE, I started to watch a movie. Eventually, the flight attendant made it back to our seats. She informed us that they were out of all the meal options except for the “Fish Noodles” and did we want one.
We said we’d try it. Other guests tried to ask what was in the dish but the only explanation was “fish noodles.”
We were shocked to see the dish presented in what is best described as a “Chinese food take-out container.”
Later we discovered that this is part of Singapore Airlines’ eco-friendly packaging. They’ve offered meals on short-haul flights in this manner since 2020 but are starting to offer meals on mid-range flights in the same packaging.
According to the airline, the packaging allows them to offer more gravy and soupy dishes with less seepage and leakage.
From my experience, the package was sealed with no leakage. However, that doesn’t consider how someone sitting in economy class will be able to eat a soupy meal if there is any turbulence.
I’m sad to say that both Sharon’s and my shirts from the flight were stained with fish noodle sauce after attempting to eat the saucy fish noodle dish. Fortunately, a Clorox Pen saved my white polo shirt but one of Sharon’s favorite travel shirts is relegated to the junk shirt pile (thankfully it’s replaceable on Woot.com)
While I commend Singapore Airlines for trying to develop more eco-friendly packaging for in-flight meals, I wish they’d consider the type of meals they’re offering. I understand that the new packaging can handle gravy and soup-based meals, but they might not be best suited for passengers to try to eat in economy class seats.
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2 comments
These kinds of “soupy” dishes are very popular in Asia. Several budget carriers even sell off-the-shelf cup noodles.
While they might not appeal to Western passengers (and I don’t want to be near anybody eating them in sudden turbulence), regional passengers like them…
I do not depend on politicians to tell me that a mask is not required or a mask is required. I use medical judgment. I would wear a mask.
If I had good clothes and worried about a stain, I wouldn’t eat. I am not a dog who eats food whenever it’s placed in front of them.
I hope the fish dish was yummy. Sorry to hear about the clothing stains.