Singapore Airlines Decides Against Paper Meal Containers For Longer Flights

Jul 04, 2023

The carrier will not implement the sustainable packaging "for now" following negative feedback on its design and appearance.

After an unsuccessful trial in March, Singapore Airlines has announced it will hold back on its plans to roll out paper food packaging on medium to long-haul services.

As reported by Channel NewsAsia (CNA), the Singapore flag carrier will not be converting its food containers to paper following complaints over their cheap appearance and inconvenience.

Speaking to the media outlet, a Singapore Airlines spokesperson confirmed that the carrier was returning to the drawing board to redevelop its sustainable service ware and would not implement changes "for now."

"Some of our customers have shared their feedback regarding the serviceware, as have members of the public. We have taken that on board. We have also received the operational feedback on the trial, and noted that we may need to improve the design of the box."

The packaging, introduced on a trial basis back in March, was compared to the offerings of a budget airline, with one passenger claiming to have nearly spilled Laksa on herself while moving the paper box. Other customers slammed the packaging as a cost-cutting measure, believing it to hold less food than the airline's current in-flight meal. Several took to social media, threatening to take their service to other airlines, while others criticized the decision not to offer metal cutlery to premium economy passengers.

"Regardless of the sustainability efforts behind this, the image of this is the same as we would take a budget airline. I think what is worse is that this will be served on premium economy flights. Where is the differentiation other than the hardware between economy and premium economy?" one disgruntled customer responded to the airline's Facebook announcement.

In a statement provided to The Independent in March, the airline clarified that the trial was sustainability-driven. It noted that it understood not all customers would be comfortable with the changes at first but wanted to assure its passengers that months of research and development had gone into the design.

While it has yet to make its jump to long-haul service, paper packaging remains in use on the carrier's short-haul flights. Addressing the outspokenly negative feedback, the airline outlined the benefits of the more convenient service ware, ranging from providing more in-flight offerings to improved heat and moisture retention, which customers who had tried dishes served in new packaging preferred.

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Despite criticisms of "cost-cutting measures," the carrier's annual budget for in-flight catering remains well above 2019 and 2020, despite lowered capacity.

From June, Singapore Airlines is set to re-introduce appetizers in medium and long-haul economy class for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. Items added include cheese and crackers and breakfast muffins. Short-haul passengers will also receive bread rolls and butter to join their in-flight meal and dessert.

The meal-time extras were initially cut during the pandemic following supply chain issues and concerns over food waste. With restrictions lifting and travel demand resuming, the airline has come under pressure from passengers concerned about a decline in the quality of the in-flight experience for economy class passengers.

Did you get the chance to try one of Singapore Airlines’ paper-packaged meals? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: CNA (1) (2), The Independent

Journalist - With a degree in journalism, Molly joins the team with an interest in aviation's history, and its impact on politics, society, and culture. Molly has experience as a digital correspondent with Sky News. Based in Surrey, United Kingdom