British Airways offers Glebe Farm oat milk on long-haul flights

© Glebe Farm

Tourism & Travel

British Airways to Offer Glebe Farm Oat Milk on All Long-Haul Flights

British Airways has announced that it will begin offering plant-based milk as an option on board its long-haul flights. The carrier has chosen oat milk made by UK brand Glebe Farm, which grows its own gluten-free oats in Cambridgeshire. In 2022, Glebe Farm told vegconomist that it hoped to “redefine the UK oat milk market”, encouraging a shift away from imported products. While the oat milk will soon be available on flights, British Airways warns that supply may initially be limited until the rollout is complete. The airline also offers a vegan inflight meal, though this must be ordered 24 hours in advance of the flight’s departure. In 2022, British Airways began offering a range of plant-based meals in first-class and business-class airport lounges as …

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Airline Emirates introduces more vegan recipes

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Tourism & Travel

Airline Emirates to Expand its Range of 300 Vegan Recipes as Demand Continues to Rise

Middle Eastern airline Emirates has announced it will be rolling out more vegan recipes in 2024 in response to rising demand. The carrier says vegan meal consumption has grown by 40% YOY, in line with passenger volumes. However, the increase on some routes has exceeded this figure, with particularly significant increases noted on routes to China, Japan, and the Philippines. The airline says it served 450,000 vegan meals in 2023, compared to 280,000 in 2022. Emirates already has a “vault” of 300 vegan recipes, which are in rotation across its 140 destinations. This figure is up from 180 recipes in 2022, and will be expanded even further in 2024. New dishes will include vegan pizza and chocolate pecan cake. Vegan meals can be requested on …

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Ecojet electric airline

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Tourism & Travel

Ecotricity Founder to Launch “World’s First” Electric Airline, Serving Only Plant-Based Meals

Dale Vince, the founder of British renewable energy firm Ecotricity, has announced plans to launch what he claims will be the world’s first electric airline. Called Ecojet, the airline will use conventional planes retrofitted with hydrogen-electric powertrains. On-board fuel cells will produce electricity by mixing hydrogen with oxygen from the air, producing only water as a byproduct. This will generate the same power output as conventional aircraft, but with a one-hundred percent reduction in CO2 emissions. There will also be other carbon-saving measures on board; all inflight meals will be plant-based, there will be no single-use plastic, and staff members will be issued with eco-friendly uniforms. Ecojet flights will begin next year between Edinburgh and Southampton, though conventional fuel will initially be used to help …

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Plant-Based Bahn Mi Salad

Photo by Ingrid Barrentine/Alaska Airlines

Tourism & Travel

Alaska Airlines Expands Vegan Meal Options with JUST Egg Frittata, Chili and More

Alaska Airlines, America’s fifth-largest air carrier, announces it is adding a larger variety of plant-based meal options to its First Class menus, including a JUST Egg Frittata, Tofu Wrap, and White Bean Chili, along with a new salad.  Available through pre-order, the new menu selections are available on all First Class meal service flights and include:  A Harissa and Chorizo Frittata made with JUST Egg Spicy Tofu Wrap White Bean Chili with Grilled Polenta Stand Bahn Mi Salad w/ Tofu In addition to the latest offerings, Alaska also introduced several other fully plant-based options last year: The “Soy Meets World” Salad and Healthy Resolutions Vegan Salad, both developed in partnership with Evergreen.  Beyond salad Across the world, more airlines are increasingly expanding vegan meal options …

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The Coconut Collaborative

© The Coconut Collaborative

Tourism & Travel

Choc Pots by The Coconut Collaborative Launch on All Virgin Atlantic Flights

Plant-based chocolate desserts made by UK brand The Coconut Collaborative are now available on all Virgin Atlantic flights. Described as “little pots of rich chocolate ganache”, the coconut-based desserts contain 100 calories per pot and are free of gluten and palm oil. The products received a Great Taste award in 2017 and are said to be made with ethically-sourced ingredients. Previously, the choc pots have launched at the major supermarket chains Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Tesco, and Waitrose. They are also available in salted caramel flavor. Yogurts and desserts The Coconut Collaborative offers a range of plant-based yogurts and desserts, including a whippable cream alternative that was served at last year’s Wimbledon tennis championships. In 2020, the company raised $7 million in a Series A round …

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Tourism & Travel

Korean Air Launches Vegan Inflight Meals Inspired by Traditional Temple Cuisine

Korean Air introduces a new range of vegan inflight meals across all international routes departing from Korea. Now travelers can enjoy a variety of vegan inflight meals inspired by traditional temple cuisine made with fresh vegetables and seasonal ingredients.  The launch of the Korean-Style vegan options responds to the growing vegan population and environmental concerns around carbon emissions, said the carrier. Korean cuisine dishes Different Korean vegan dishes will be served depending on the route and season. For passengers in all classes, Korean Air chefs created dishes such as steamed barley rice with burdock, roasted shiitake mushrooms, mung bean jelly salad, and roasted tofu with plum salsa sauce. Prestige and first class passengers can additionally enjoy other creations, namely ginkgo nut porridge and roasted yam with soybean paste. Many …

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tap air portugal vegan dish

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Tourism & Travel

TAP Air Expects its New Vegan Inflight Meals to Be Most Popular Request in 2023

TAP Air Portugal is introducing special meals on board. New vegan inflight meals, as well as vegetarian, dietary, halal, kosher, gluten-free, and lactose-free options, are now available on the airline’s cabin food offer in response to the growing demand for alternatives.  It is estimated that more than 90,000 special meals will be served on board TAP Air Portugal aircraft during 2023, and based on 2022 figures, vegan and vegetarian meals are expected to be the most popular options. Using the slogan, “trips for all tastes,” the company promises taste, freshness, and quality in its new range created to address passengers’ needs related to allergies, intolerances, food restrictions, and cultural and religious specificities.  Meatballs, soups, and Indian recipes The vegan offer includes dishes such as meatballs, …

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Beyond-Meatballs-Eurowings

© Beyond Meat

Tourism & Travel

Eurowings Discover Becomes First German Airline to Serve Beyond Meatballs

Holiday airline Eurowings Discover is the first German airline to integrate Beyond Meatballs into its in-flight menu. Since the beginning of the year, customers travelling business class have been able to opt for the vegan meatballs on both short-haul and long-haul flights. Over in the US, United Airlines has been serving Impossible’s meatballs since June of last year, for first class travellers only, while Delta serves Black Sheep Foods’ plant-based lamb meatballs. Patrick Door, responsible for the in-flight product at Eurowings Discover, comments: “As a young holiday airline, we always focus on innovative food concepts in our in-flight service alongside well-known classics. With the new dishes, we want to appeal to both vegetarians and meat lovers. Beyond Meatballs are a real novelty for us on …

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Vegan options

©Air Canada

Tourism & Travel

Air Canada Introduces First Vegan Meals and Snacks on In-Flight Menu

Update Jan 2024: Following Air Canada’s move to bring vegan meals and snacks on inflight menus, other airlines have continued the trend. In early 2023, Emirates recorded a 154% increase in customers ordering inflight vegan meals, serving over 280,000 plant-based meals in 2022 and went on to add dozens more vegan options in early 2024. TAP Air Portugal also introduced vegan inflight meals in response to growing demand from its passengers, with expectations for them to be the most requested specialty meal of 2023. Simultaneously, Iberojet, a Spanish/Portuguese charter airline, added a vegan lasagne made with Heura’s vegetable protein meat to its onboard menus. Other airlines have continued to expand vegan offerings, with Korean Air launching vegan inflight meals and Virgin Atlantic adding The Coconut …

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china airlines' plant-based menu

© China Airlines

Tourism & Travel

China Airlines Debuts Plant-Based Inflight Menu Featuring Vegan Fish Fillet & Meat Alternatives

China Airlines has announced a new plant-based inflight menu for travellers across all cabins on flights departing Taiwan. Called Clean and Green Plant-Based Cuisine, the menu will be served from December 1st, 2022. To create the plant-based options, the airline partnered with Taiwanese restaurant Yang Ming Spring, which has received the Michelin Green Star award for two consecutive years in recognition of its plant-based foods, beverages, and careful ingredient selection. China Pacific Catering Services and Kaohsiung Airport Catering Services of the CAL Group also participated in developing the menu. Business-class menu The inflight meal for this passenger group features dishes made with a selection of vegetables and fresh ingredients. Starters Spring platter salad featuring yam noodles in fruit salsa Okra with black bean and sesame …

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Japan Airlines Vegan Tuna

©BettaF!sh

Tourism & Travel

Japan Airlines Now Offering BettaF!sh Plant-Based Tuna on Select Flights

German alt-seafood brand BettaF!sh announces its plant-based tuna will now be served aboard Japan’s second-largest airline company, Japan Airlines. Available for business and first class passengers, the TU-NAH Sandwich Wrap will be offered on flights from Tokyo to London.  Featuring BettaF!sh’s TU-NAH Creamy, the new sandwich wrap offers passengers a sustainable alternative to nostalgic tuna mayo. Japan Airlines will initially serve the snack on JL 42 and JL44 flights between London Heathrow and Tokyo Haneda, with plans to increase those routes’ frequency over the coming months.  “What delighted us most about working with Japan Airlines was the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received from day one,” said Jacob von Manteuffel, co-founder of BettaF!sh. “It was a huge honor to have the authenticity and deliciousness of TU-NAH …

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Whoa Dough Airline Cookie Bars

©Whoa Dough

Tourism & Travel

American Airlines Now Offering Plant-Based Whoa Dough Cookie Bars in First Class

American Airlines, the world’s largest airline, is now offering Whoa Dough plant-based cookie bars for first-class passengers on domestic flights.  Whoa Dough’s popular gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor will be included in first-class passengers’ meal baskets. Made without artificial ingredients, Whoa Dough bars are crafted with allergy-friendly foods such as whole-grain oat and chickpea flour. Each bar contains 150 calories, 4 g of protein, 5 g of fat and is free from dairy, eggs and soy. The brand is also certified kosher and non-GMO.  Whoa Dough’s full range includes five additional flavors: Sugar, Sugar Sprinkle, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Brownie Batter, and a variety pack. The brand was founded by Todd Goldstein, who sought to create healthier gluten-free snacks for himself and two …

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emirates' inflight vegan option experience

© Emirates

Tourism & Travel

Emirates Becomes Latest Airline to Add Vegan Options Following $2Bn Revamp

Middle Eastern airline Emirates has added a vegan menu for first-class customers as part of a US$2 billion investment to enhance its inflight customer experience and offer a variety of service improvements. “Explore new flavours with our selection of inventive vegan dishes, whether it’s a full three-course meal or a movie snack. Enjoy dishes like our zucchini tart, jackfruit biryani or vegan mapo tofu. And you can look forward to delectable vegan desserts like our chocolate truffle cake with roasted hazelnuts. Look out for the vegan icon on our menus,” states the Emirates website. Emirates follows Alaska Air’s recent announcement from just last month, and United Air’s collaboration with Impossible Foods this June, in a list of airlines beginning to realise that vegans too, need …

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Alaska_Airlines_Meal

©Alaska Airlines

Tourism & Travel

Alaska Airlines Adds ‘Soy Meets World’ Vegan Option

This summer, guests flying on Alaska Airlines will be able to select a vegan menu option called the “Soy Meets World”, a salad developed in partnership with Evergreens. “We’re thrilled to offer our guests more healthy and nutritious choices when they fly with us,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, managing director of guest products. “We built our menu thoughtfully to offer more plant-based, vegan and gluten-free options, which include a range of fresh, bright flavors inspired by the West Coast and ingredients that are authentically healthy by nature such as roasted broccoli, crisp romaine and baby lettuce greens, quinoa, fresh fruit and more.”  Alaska Airlines also offers the Mediterranean Tapas Pack which is vegan and gluten-free. The development follows similar moves from United Airlines, which now offers …

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Impossible Foods United Air

©Impossible Foods

Tourism & Travel

United Airlines to Serve Impossible Meatball Bowl & Impossible Sausage Breakfast Options

From today, United Airlines introduces the Impossible Meatball Bowl in first-class, becoming the first airline to offer Impossible Meatballs nationwide. Polaris Lounges in EWR, LAX, ORD and SFO will also be serving the Impossible Sausage in two breakfast options. United states that the news marks the beginning of a larger, long-term collaboration to provide airline customers with more plant-based options. The Impossible Burger has also been offered by Delta Air as of this March, along with Black Sheep Foods’ plant-based lamb meatballs. The Impossible Meatball Bowl comprises three Impossible Meatballs with broccolini, couscous and herb-infused tomato sauce. Additionally, during breakfast at Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, Newark and San Francisco Polaris lounges, United will offer ground Impossible Sausage as an optional omelet ingredient (presumably not vegan …

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LaLa Vegan Vienna Airport

Image courtesy Vienna Airport

Food Service

Vegan Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlour to Open for Vienna Airport Passengers

Vienna Airport passengers will soon be able to enjoy plant-based food while they wait for their flights, as ice cream parlour Veganista and vegan restaurant The LaLa — both based in Vienna — prepare to open airport branches. Veganista and The LaLa are both run by Cecilia Havmöller and her sister Susanna Paller, both of whom have been vegan for over 30 years. The pair were disappointed with the vegan selection on offer in Vienna and decided to launch Veganista in 2013, followed by The LaLa in 2019. Menu options Veganista offers 18 ice cream flavours every day, from staples such as chocolate and strawberry to more unusual flavours like basil. Most are soy-based, with some almond, oat, rice, and coconut-based flavours for those with …

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©Delta Airlines

Market & Trends

Vegan Airline Food: Who Got it Right, Who Got it Wrong?

With vegan food options increasing across a whole range of airlines, vegconomist takes a look at all the latest plant-based offerings in the sky.  Delta  From the Impossible Foods burger and meatballs to Black Sheep Foods’ plant-based lamb meatballs, Delta has introduced five new plant-based dishes for Delta One and First Class customers on select flights 900 miles and greater. However, all five dishes – including the warm seasonal vegetable plate – come with dairy and as such are currently not suitable for vegans.  Qatar Airways The state-owned airline of Qatar has launched a selection of inflight vegan dishes available without pre-order, although the “restaurant-standard” range is only available in business class. Vegan dishes include pesto glazed celeriac steak, served on a bed of Mediterranean risotto …

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©British Airways

Gastronomy & Food Service

British Airways Launches Plant-Based Menus in its Airport Lounges

British Airways is set to introduce a range of plant-based meals in its first and business class lounges. Having worked with its catering providers to develop new plant-based menus, including a burger, the move is part of the airline’s strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and cater to the growing vegan population.   The new menus will initially roll out across the airline’s Heathrow lounges, before appearing on its US lounge menus. Work also continues to remove single-use plastic across the airline, and all plastic water bottles in Heathrow lounges are being replaced with glass, which will be rolled out across the airline’s UK lounges over the next month. British Airways has stated its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 – a tall order …

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