Airline passengers warned of food shortages on flights ahead of strikes
AIRLINE passengers could face in-flight food and drink shortages due to strike action by catering staff, a trade union warned.
Unite will ballot workers who provide meals, snacks and refreshments for flights from major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Birmingham.
The union warned potential walkouts, which would also affect Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow and London City Airport, were scheduled to hit the busy Christmas travel period.
It said travellers faced the prospect of “foodless fights” if its members at service provider dnata voted to down tools in a row over pay and conditions.
A Unite statement said: “Passengers at airports across the country are facing the prospect of having no onboard food or drink during long and short haul flights as dnata catering workers ballot for strike action.
“More than 700 dnata workers, providing food for airlines at Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow, London City, Stansted, Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham airports, are balloting for strike action.
“The production line, warehouse and delivery workers are angry at the company’s attempts to change their terms and conditions without consultation.”
It added: “If strikes go ahead, major airlines including easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, BA, Emirates, American Airlines and Air India will be impacted. “
The union’s general secretary Sharon Graham said: “dnata’s attempts to bypass its workers and force through damaging changes to terms and conditions will not be tolerated.
“Unite’s dnata members have their union’s full and unflinching support in fighting its underhand attempts to impose these plans.”
The statement accused the Dubai-based firm of refusing to consult with union representatives on issues including sick leave, staff holidays and shift rosters.
It added: “The industrial action ballot opened this week and will close on December 5, with strikes potentially being scheduled over the Christmas period.”
Unite national officer for aviation Balvinder Bir said: “Strikes would have a serious impact on major airlines at eight UK airports and will be entirely the fault of dnata.
“There is still time for industrial action to be avoided, but that will require dnata entering into meaningful negotiations with Unite about the changes it’s putting forward.”
A dnata Catering & Retail UK spokesperson said: “Despite our continuous efforts to reach a fair solution, Unite has rejected our reasonable proposals to enhance wages and conditions and initiated a ballot for industrial action.
“We have already implemented and paid a salary increase to our team to address cost-of-living pressures and recognise their contributions to the company. Our current, competitive offer is in line with market conditions, reflecting industry standards and comparable roles in the sector.
“We are surprised and disappointed by the union’s recent statement claiming we are changing terms and conditions without consultation, which is entirely inaccurate.
“We have consistently sought to engage in constructive discussions with the union throughout the negotiation process.
“We remain open to further dialogue and are committed to achieving an agreement that serves the interests of all parties and ensures the sustainability of our organisation.”
Experts always advise passengers to take their own food on planes, in case there is ever a last minute shortage.
Flight attendant Destanie Armstrong explained on her TikTok that she always packs two pots of noodles and asks staff for some hot water.
She said: “You can’t depend on these flights to have food and even if they do, a lot of the times the options aren’t food.”
Airlines with the best plane food
Korean Air
Korean Air won best airline cuisine in last year’s Global Traveler’s awards.
Some of their popular dishes onboard include bibimbap, a Korean rice dish, and ssambap, Korean rice lettuce rolls.
It also made the top 10 for airlines with the best plane food in CN Travelers 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Japan Airlines
Coming in first place in the Reader’s Choice Awards was Japan Airlines.
The airline has partnered with six Michelin-star chefs, each of whom have three stars – so you can expect it to be good.
Passengers can choose bento boxes and miso soups onboard.
Singapore Airlines
Often voted one of the best airlines in the world, it is no surprising Singapore Airlines is said to have some of the best plane food.
Chef Dennis Littley said: “Their gourmet meals rival those of ground-based restaurants.”
Dishes include congee, a rice porridge, as well as Singaporean rice and curry options.
However, plane food has changed since its its hey day.
Typical menus from the time included roast chicken with green salad and peaches with Melba sauce for dessert, along with cheese and a wine list.