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Excuse me, are you Jewish? The ethics of ordering a special meal on plane

by Iva Skoch (RSS feed) on Jun 27th 2008 at 10:00AM

I frequently order special meals on planes. Why, you ask? They are usually much better than the standard in-flight fare you get.

I am neither a vegetarian nor a practicing Jew, yet I order vegetarian, kosher, low-sodium, or any other alternative I get, rather than ordering the standard salt-packed meal. I never thought twice about it.

My sister's recent experience changed that.

For her recent Czech Air flight from Prague to New York, my sister ordered a kosher meal. When distributing meals, the flight attendant came over and asked her:
"Excuse me, did you order a kosher meal?"
"Yes."
"Are you Jewish?" the attendant asked.
"Why do you ask?" she replied.
"Well random people sometimes order kosher out of curiosity and then they don't like it."
Sigh.

I don't know about you, but this strikes me as incredibly rude. Asking a customer what religion they are in front of a plane load of people? I don't think so.

It got me thinking though. Do airlines frown upon people ordering special meals just out of curiosity? Is it ethical to order kosher even if you are not Jewish? I, personally, don't think so. If it's offered, it's fair game.

Perhaps Heather, Gadling's own galley expert, could help us out here?

Filed under: Food and Drink, Europe, North America, Czech Republic, Airlines

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Heather Jun 27th 2008 10:53AM

Thank goodness I haven't seen a special meal in years. But that's because I fly domestic routes. Will never forget the time, years ago, I counted, sorted, and then had to find all 85 peope who had ordered Kosher meals on the airplane!

Personally, when I had to deal with special meals, I didn't care who ordered what. But it seemed like more times than not it was like the FA in your post said...people would order a Kosher and then say they didn't want it. Actually they'd throw a fit and say their travel agent must have ordered it and follow that with, "And I'm not eating it!" My guess is the FA your sister met needed a Kosher (for a passenger who wanted one and perhaps forgot to order one) and hoped (prayed) your sister wouldn't want hers. To keep the peace.

Just my two cents.

Heather Poole
(who is now off to the airport)

David Troyer Jun 27th 2008 10:55AM

I almost exclusively order Vegetarian in-flight meals despite the fact that I eat meat, albeit irregularly. The meal is almost always more tasty and you often get served before everyone else :-)

Heather Poole Jun 27th 2008 10:57AM

Two more things...

The FA probably should have asked, "Did you order a Kosher meal," instead of, "Are you Jewish."

And keep in mind IF there is food, the catering numbers are right on (number of meals for passengers)...therefore if you order a Kosher, and do not want the Kosher, unless someone else chooses not to eat, there is nothing else to give you.

Heather Poole

Iva Skoch Jun 27th 2008 10:27PM

Thanks, Heather! Great insights, as always.

Annette Jun 28th 2008 7:41AM

At my airline, it is more common to see the Ppilots and Flight Attendants have ordered a special meal usually kosher, light, or hindu--than our passengers (we get crew meals when we work X number of hours without a break)

jawa_edan Jul 1st 2008 7:33AM

how about this ...

FA: Would you like chicken or pork sir?
P: Pork please
FA: Aren't you Jewish?

cgrannyrock Jul 1st 2008 2:44PM

Since airlines no longer seem to have meals on domestic flights, I always pack a light meal in a carry on, that way, I have what I like and since I usually will prepare it at home, i don't have to pay ridiculous airport prices. However, I do miss the days of being served a meal on a flight, not only did you feel you were getting your money's worth for the flight, but it was nice to be served with a smile---sure beat the crackers and soda's of todays flights.
Hats off to all airline attendants of today that can tolerate a plane full of people making demands tho'!!!

Catherine Bossi Jul 1st 2008 5:00PM

Charge for Special Meals...Then no one will order them. It happened that way when we started selling booze internationally, everyone wanted it if it was free now no one wants it...

Catherine Bossi Jul 1st 2008 6:30PM

Charge for special meals and then they wont order them... same happened with the booze on international flights. Once we charged for wine and such it was no longer wanted.

Iva Skoch Jul 1st 2008 6:31PM

Excellent point.

Karen Jul 4th 2008 1:19AM

Not to mention what a HUGE pain in the butt 37 special meals can be to dole out on a full 747. With mininum staffing, and the need to keep a balance on both sides of the aircraft. 36 meals in a cart. There is a method to our madness and the special meals throw everything out of balance. The meals need to be hand delivered out of order all over the airplane. The regular service can't begin until this is complete. The passenger ends up eating in front of his starving seat mate and then holding on to his tray forever. Its not the extra work I'm complaining about, its the chaos it creates. There is no quick easy way to satisy everyone. All of the other perks have gone away, it surprises me this one remains! Think of the manpower involved from the reservationist to the kitchen, to the catering truck and then to the seat! "What you didn't order this"? Oh, and the poor guy may die of thirst before he gets that glass of wine for his meal.