Qantas has designed an in-flight menu for its upcoming non-stop flights between Perth and London that it claims will help reduce jetlag for travellers on the up to 17-hour flights.
The airline has worked with research teams from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre to develop dishes that it says will “encourage sleep at optimal times during the flight”.
According to creative director of food, beverage and service, Neil Perry, this is primarily accomplished through offering a menu that helps increase hydration.
“Working with clinical sleep specialists, nutritionists and metabolic scientists, we’ve designed new menu options using delicious ingredients that have added benefits of hydration, aiding sleep and reducing jetlag,” said Perry.
“The menu we are trialling on the Perth to London route will continue to offer a selection of customer favourites but it has some special ingredient additions and exclusions.”
Some of these ingredients include leafy vegetables, cucumber and strawberries, which provide hydration. Meanwhile, other ingredients such as chilli have been limited to particular times of the day.
So, what can passengers actually expect to find on the menu?
Mains (business class)
- Tuna poke salad with sesame soy dressing
- Seared Cone Bay Barramundi with herb garlic potatoes, broccolini, lemon, olive and almond salsa
- Smoked salmon, soba and raw zucchini noodles with ponzu dressing
- Roast English beef with Yorkshire pudding, peas and onion gravy
- Poached egg, kale, quinoa, grilled haloumi, pistachio and green tahini dressing (breakfast)
Mains (premium economy and economy)
- Marinated beef, citrus, cumin and zucchini salad (Premium economy and economy)
- Roast chicken with red rice, Mediterranean vegetables, soy beans and thyme jus
Refreshments
- Dip and crudite platters (served in all classes)
- Tomato and mushroom puff pastry tart with corn salsa (mid-flight refreshment in premium economy)
Desserts
- Baked vanilla custard with rhubarb, honeyed pear and almonds (business class only)
- Seasonal fruit plate (all classes)
However, much of the menu’s hydration and jet lag-curing qualities come from its drinks menu. Particular drinks will be served at different times to either aid sleep (such as hot chocolate) or waking up (probiotic-infused Botanica cold pressed juice shots).
Here are the drinks available in each class.
Beverages (business class)
- Botanica cold pressed green juice
Beverages (business and premium economy)
- Remedy lemon and ginger kombucha
- Botanica cold pressed probiotic-infused watermelon (served as a wake-up shot)
- Qantas sleep tisane
Beverages (economy)
- Botanica cold pressed probiotic-infused lemonade
Beverages (all classes)
- Hot chocolate
According to academic director of the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, Professor Stephen Simpson, “Qantas’ new menu incorporates the latest scientific knowledge on nutrition and hydration and our scientists are excited by this opportunity to discover how the wide variety of influences work together during long haul flights”.
The Centre next plans to conduct trials with Frequent Flyer members, using apps and wearable technology to collect data regarding sleeping and eating patterns, mental state, activities and hydration levels throughout a long-haul flight.
Qantas will launch its inaugural flight on the Perth-London route on March 24, 2018.
