Japan Airlines’ Special Inflight Meal Offerings Cater to Three Overlooked Groups of Passengers

Japan Airlines is championing extensive inflight meal offerings in an effort to accommodate the diverse dietary needs of its passengers. From Kyaraben character bento meals for children to an assortment of healthier meal options, the airline offers a range of inflight dining selections to cater to every individual.

As passengers often come on board with food intolerances, religious and/ or personal dietary preferences, and with small children that have limited palates, airlines need to recognize the need for a diverse inflight menu. Providing passengers with a variety of options ensures that they can enjoy a comfortable and safe flight without having to worry about food availability. 

As a global airline that caters to all types of customers, Japan Airlines aims to ensure that all passengers are accounted for. With 26 Special Inflight Meals that fall under five main categories, the Skytrax 5-Star certified carrier offers a wide variety of meal options for every passenger to fly comfortably. Here are three interesting ones:

Meals for Children

Travelling with young children can be challenging. Japan Airlines recognizes how important it is to keep children happy and entertained in order for everyone to have an enjoyable flight experience. As such, the airline has developed a range of nutritious and fun Special Inflight Meals to keep the little ones happy:

• Baby Food – All international routes on Japan Airlines offer a savoury and sweet puree for babies up to 8 months. 
• Baby Meal – The menu for toddlers from 9 months to 2 years old consists of a palatable coloured entrée, a banana and rice crackers. 
• Child Meal  – Available for children over 2 years old. For meals out of Japan, guests can expect these meals to be creatively assembled to resemble an adorable character or animal, commonly known in Japan as a “kyaraben”. 
• BEDD for Kids – Exclusively designed by Chef Kono Fumiko, Chef Namae Shinobu, and Chef Ishikawa Hideki and Chef Koizumi Kouji for JAL First Class and JAL Business Class passengers on select international routes. BEDD for Kids redefines the Japanese phrase of “me de taberu,” a feast for your eyes. 

Minimal Allergen Meals

Japan Airlines has teamed up with a globally renowned minimal allergen food producer, Tsuji Anzen Shokuhin Co., Ltd. (Tsuji Foods Ltd.), to curate an allergy-conscious menu. With the exception of some side dishes, green salads and fruits, all main dishes are prepared by Tsuji Foods Ltd. in allergen-friendly kitchens and subsequently readied for onboarding by Japan Airlines’ official catering companies.      Japan Airlines provides three kinds of allergen-free meal options, including one for young children. 

Meals for Health-Conscious Passengers

While it’s common for airlines to offer religious and vegetarian or vegan meals, it is less so for them to include healthier meal options for passengers with dietary preferences. As the world becomes increasingly more mindful of their personal health and wellness, there is greater demand for healthier foods.

Japan Airlines offers a range of nutrient-dense meal options, including low-calorie and high-fiber offerings, that are designed to keep passengers feeling energized and refreshed throughout the flight. 

• Bland Meal– True to its name, this meal option does not contain ingredients that are strongly flavoured or deep-fried. Designed for passengers with gastrointestinal ailments, it is also free of black pepper, chilli powder, caffeine, and other foods that might cause irritation to the digestive tract.
• Low Salt Meal– This meal is designed for passengers who are looking to reduce their daily intake of sodium. 
• Diabetic Meal– This meal is prepared using lean meat and high-fibre ingredients. It does not contain deep-fried foods.
• Low-Calorie Meal– At approximately 400 calories, it is the perfect meal for passengers looking to reduce their caloric intake. 
• Gluten Intolerant Meal – With the rise in wheat consumption, more people are discovering their intolerance for gluten. Japan Airlines has curated a meal made using low-gluten grains. However, this meal is not entirely wheat or gluten-free.
• Low-Fat Meal– This meal is designed for passengers who are looking to restrict their cholesterol intake, as it greatly high-fibre foods such as fruits and vegetables.
• Seafood Meal– This meal is a good option for pescatarians and passengers who prefer fish or other seafood.
• Fruits Platter Meal– Consisting primarily of fruits with the occasional leafy green, this meal contains no additives or preservatives.
• Low-Lactose Meal– This lactose-free does not contain milk, yogurt, cheese, or other dairy products.

By offering a variety of inflight meals catering to specific dietary, religious and even health requirements, Japan Airlines demonstrates a commitment to meeting the diverse needs of passengers and improving customer satisfaction.

How to Order

To have a Special Inflight Meal onboard, ensure to order them in advance at least 25 hours before the flight’s departure (28 hours for Kona to Narita route on JL779) on Japan Airlines’ website. Scroll to the bottom and look out for the step-by-step guide on how to order your Special Inflight Meal.

Passengers can also make special meal requests through the airline’s Customer Service Centre. 

FIND OUT HOW TO ORDER JAPAN AIRLINES SPECIAL INFLIGHT MEALS HERE