Japan Airlines (JAL) has become the world’s first airline to offer all its passengers (irrespective of travel class) to opt out of meal service.
It’s all part of JAL’s latest “Ethical Choice Meal Skip” option which aims to reduce food waste.
According to trade body IATA, airline food waste amounts to almost six million tons annually.
The Independent reports that an alert appears on JAL’s website (seemingly after one has made the booking) stating:
“Please use this service if you would like a good rest on the plane or if you would like to help us [JAL] to reduce food waste.
“Before departure, and no later than 25 hours ahead, visit the JAL website and select ‘No meal’”.
It’s reported that for every passenger who selects the above option, JAL will donate the savings to school meal programmes in developing countries. There is no reduction in the ticket price.
JAL has been trialling this initiative between Bangkok and Tokyo since 2020. It’s an overnight regional flight and one where passengers may wish to grab some shut eye.
But will customers taking JAL on really long routes warm to the concept?
Owing to the Russian overflying ban, a flight from Tokyo to Europe now takes as much as 14 or 15 hours nonstop.
I wonder what readers will make of this development by JAL.
