Airline cuts popular snack due to increased turbulence
Korean Air will stop serving the popular snack instant ramen on some flights because of increased turbulence.
The airline will cut the cups of instant noodles from the food options available to economy passengers on its long-haul flights as "part of proactive safety measures in response to increased turbulence, aimed at preventing burn accidents," a Korean Air spokesperson told FOX Business.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Korean Air will provide other snacks to passengers in its revamped in-flight snack service.
The change, earlier reported by Reuters and Time, will take effect in mid-August.
"To enhance passenger satisfaction and diversity snack options, a self-service snack bar is available on long-haul flights," the Korean Air spokesperson also told FOX Business.
In July, the airline said it was "undertaking a comprehensive review of service strategies to ensure the highest standards of safety and travel experience for its passengers" due to a higher frequency of turbulence.
THESE ARE THE FLIGHT ROUTES WITH THE MOST TURBULENCE
One new procedure that Korean Air has already implemented is new timing for the end of cabin services on medium- and long-haul flights. That has changed from 20 minutes prior to touchdown to 40 minutes.
"Turbulence has become a persistent and growing problem in recent years with the number of incidents doubling in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2019," the airline said in July. "Turbulence is becoming more frequent, especially as the aircraft descends, due to large temperature changes between altitudes."
The severity of turbulence encountered by an aircraft can range from light to extreme, according to Weather.gov.