Chilean airline LATAM will be making changes to its economy class in-flight dining offerings on all of its international routes by the end of this year.
The changes are largely two-fold – the dishes served and the way the airline will serve them. For starters, the airline is doing away with the traditional tray set up in favour of individual dishes, meaning it will be scrapping a lot of the side options and instead offer a main dish that it says is about 50 per cent larger than current mains.
As for the meals themselves, these will come in three categories for lunch and dinner – hot dish, vegetarian, and a lighter cold option – across Latin American, international and vegetarian cuisines. Not all peripheral items will be removed, however, and each meal will still come with drinks service and a sweet snack. Breakfast will comprise just two options.
According to senior vice-president clients, Claudia Sender, the 16-month development process for the new concept included significant consultation with travellers and dining specialists, as well as 14 individual in-flight trials.
“The passenger was central to every decision in the development process,” said Sender. “We asked them what they wanted and collaborated with industry experts and our cabin crew to ensure it was deliverable onboard. Every detail was important to us – from the ingredients used to how each dish is prepared and served.”
In total, some 300 new dishes have been developed by the airline, which will be served to some 14,000 passengers across 64 daily flights.
A sample menu for the airline’s recently launched Santiago-Melbourne route gives an indication of what the offerings will look like.
Dinner (accompanied by sweet snack)
Gnocci with Parmesan sauce, sautéed mushrooms and pesto, or;
Slow-cooked lamb with ginger squash puree, roasted red onion and sautéed green beans, or;
Smoked salmon cold plate with quinoa, goat’s cheese and mixed greens with yoghurt-green onion dressing
Breakfast (accompanied by a choice of fresh fruit or yoghurt)
Plain omelette with roasted potatoes and tomato sauce, or;
Belgian waffle with berry compote
Travellers on certain flights over seven hours from Chile to destinations in the US, Oceania and Europe will begin seeing the new offering immediately, with a full roll-out of the concept across LATAM’s international network by the end of the year.
Take a look at a video of the new dining concept here.
