Have you ever got a deal that was so good that you just couldn’t pass up? That was us last November when we checked out the Cyber Monday deals on flights to the UK. Which is why in August we found ourselves traveling back to the UK, just 18 months after our last visit. I have a plans to post about our trip, including museums, galleries, castles, and tons of British vegan food, but today I figured I’d start with the beginning of the trip the flight. Specifically the Air New Zealand vegan inflight meals.
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Back to the UK
When we traveled to the UK in 2016 I did a quick review on the Air New Zealand vegan meals and figured this would be a great opportunity to follow up and see how the meals had improved. Firstly I want to say that we love flying Air New Zealand. Honestly, they have the BEST inflight entertainment. Lots of movies, TV, and music to choose from and you can order drinks and snacks from your touch screen. So convenient. Plus the staff are always really friendly. We definitely wholeheartedly recommend them.
Air New Zealand Vegan Meals
First let me just say that 10 days prior to us flying Bob called them to change his meal preference. When we booked last November he was vegetarian, as of 2 months ago he’s 100% vegan! I am over the moon that Bob has committed to a fully cruelty free lifestyle, and Air New Zealand were more than accommodating for his switch from lacto-ovo veggie to vegan. We lucked out bigtime on the way to UK as we had 4 seats to ourselves! So as soon as we took off I spread out onto the next seat giving us a little more room each. Score! The first movie I watched on the flight was Kong Skull Island. I was pleasantly surprised with this movie, the story was enjoyable and I liked the message, and special effects. Definitely not like the original, which I appreciated. While I was finishing up this movie dinner arrived!
Inflight Vegan Dinner
VGML indicates it’s for vegans or pure vegetarians, and contains strict vegetarian foods with no dairy or egg products. Air New Zealand also offers many other special diet options including gluten free, diabetic, lacto ovo, and even fruit only. One of the great things about having a “special meal” is that you get yours before the regular food service. Now this does mean you may wait a little between meal and the clean up or drink service. My meal came and though they never look appetising at first they can be displayed in a way to make them a little more appealing to the eye.
Dinner was a veggie patty with kale, marinara sauce, and mashed veggies. Side dishes included a side salad and bread roll with spread. For dessert there was a small fruit salad bowl of melon, grapes and pineapple. In addition you receive a small container of milk which I assume was for hot beverages? Honestly this was really tasty and I ate every single bite. Bob was not a fan of the melon, or salad so I traded him half a bread roll for more veggies and fruit.
Inflight Drinks Service
To compliment dinner we had a Steinlager New Zealand beer while settling in for movie #2, which was Ghost in the Shell starring Scarlett Johansson. This was a pretty good movie, with some really good action and CGI. As a sci-fi geek I enjoyed this one a lot. Hot beverages had been served but I was beginning to feel thirsty so I pinged the flight staff (via my entertainment touch screen) for a soda. After Ghost in the Shell, I was at a loss for what to watch next… I tried Batman vs Superman, and Snatched, but neither seem to satisfy. My craving was for action so I tried Assassins Creed. This movie hit the mark, with a big bulls eye for action, story, and eye candy. Just as I was getting fired up into Assassins Creed, morning food service commenced.
Vegan Inter-Continental Breakfast
Our flight was a red-eye, landing at 11.30am GMT, which meant it was breakfast time in the UK, as such a cooked breakfast was served. For for vegans this was potatoes, spinach, tomato and beans. Side dishes for breakfast included fruit, orange juice and a muffin. The Air New Zealand Vegan breakfast was a big hit for me. I literally ate everything on this tray. Every last morsel. Plus because Bob doesn’t like melon or grapes I got to eat his fruit too.
Breakfast was tasty, and while I settled into my final movie of the flight I had another cup of tea . Along with new movie releases Air New Zealand offers some classics, animation, Disney, documentaries, TV series and so much more. If you’re looking to watch all the Harry Potter Movies why not do it while flying 40,000 feet in the air? Sounded like a plan so I flicked on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. It had been so long since I watched this that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Harry Potter Inflight Movie Marathon
In fact I enjoyed it so much, on the way back to the U.S. I’d continued to watch the next movie in the series and see how far I could get. As soon as we boarded I hit play on Chamber of Secrets, which I thoroughly enjoyed. If you haven’t seen the series in a while it’s really fun to rewatch, consecutively makes it all the more fun. Before I knew it it was time for food service. Dinner was tofu, with mushroom pilaf, and mixed veggies in tomato sauce. On the side we some salad vegetables, and a bread roll with spread. The meal also came with a small serving of raisins and an Alpro chocolate pudding.
Scuppered by Vegan Supper
Again the beverage trolley came around and I had Steinlager while starting The Prisoner of Azkaban. I will freely admit that when I was watching The Goblet of Fire I ordered another Steinlager through the touch screen. My Harry Potter marathon was going strong. Flights back to the US are always weird. We took off at 4pm, but due to time zones landed in the US at 7.30pm. So our next meal was supper/light snack.
I will say that this was the most dissapointing meal of the trip. The roast veggie and hummus wrap was super oily and not that enjoyable. The orange juice was nice to wash it down and cleanse the palatte. The fruit was melon, apple and pineapple. I ate it all except the apple which was SUPER tart. Like sucking on a lemon tart, Of all the food and drink service we’d had this last one was a real disappointment honestly. Lacking in flavor and substance. I consoled myself with more Harry Potter, and got through half of The Order of the Phoenix before we landed back in LAX.
So rest assured if you are vegan you can get a decent meal on a plane. Now the airport terminals themselves may be another question entirely, but we tend to pack food ahead while we’re in the departure lounge. If you’re unsure about your trip then plan ahead. Take some bars and pre-packaged food to eat. Definitely if you fly Air New Zealand vegans can rest assured they are going to be fed well!
Questions:
What do you think of inflight meals?
Have you flown Air New Zealand?
Where is your vacation destination for 2018?
Vegan beauty box: recharge your body, mind and soul
Brittany
Wow those look good! I usually skip the inflight meals because they’re just… well.. not very good. These on the other hand look really good.
Di Hickman
Air NewZealand has some really good options for inflight meals, definitely recommend them! Plus there entertainment is hands down the best!
Heather
These meal options look great. It’s awesome they were so personalized. We travel a lot but I honestly can’t remember the last time I had a decent meal on an airplane.
Di Hickman
Try the speciality meal menu. Just have to book ahead of time.
Roxanne
So many great options! I haven’t flown in a long time, but I don’t remember airline food looking that good.
Di Hickman
Oh yes, times are a changin’!
Cindy
Gosh, the food looks delicious and it very forward looking to serve vegan. My husband was vegan 15 yrs ago and no one understood it.
Di Hickman
Yep years ago the choices were terrible!
Ayana Pitterson
Wow, didn’t even realize that airlines still provided meals such as this. When I was younger, this par for course when you traveled. Now, you barely get some pretzels and warm water. This looks like something you get in a restaurant. Great post. I might have to check out Air New Zealand now.
thrifting diva
Di Hickman
Domestic you get pretzels and water, international you get this!
Angela Ricardo Bethea
I’m glad that there is a vegan meal during your flight and enjoyed it. I have heard some cases where they don’t serve people vegan in-flight meals and that can’t be quite sad.
Di Hickman
I think more airlines are changing and realizing that people have dietary allergies and religious/ethical choices.
Ana De- Jesus
I absolutely love that they cater to vegans and vegetarians. The last time I was on a flight 5 years ago I was served some limp salad as my lunch lol. I am pleased that services have improved for us veggies and vegans!
Di Hickman
Hahaha better than the vegan standard of stuffed pepper!
Cecilia Cannon
oh my goshthis looks great! we traveled a lot this summer to europe and the food was AWFUL, I mean YUCK!!! I love when the airlines care like this.
Di Hickman
Me too! Felt like we were well taken care of
Terri Steffes
Those do sound like good meals, but I had to laugh when they gave you some milk. Someone doesn’t get it! I know my friends who are vegan often have to pack their own airline meals.
Di Hickman
It’s Soy Milk Terri! No dairy!
Shannon Gurnee
I’ve never been on Air New Zealand or to New Zealand for that matter, but it sounds like a great option! I love that flights are having more food options than they used to.
Di Hickman
NZ is on our someday destination list!
Lori Geurin
I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed an inflight meal. Although I’m not a vegan several of these dishes look good. It’s nice to have options. I’ve never flown Air New Zealand but would love to go there some day!
Di Hickman
Hahaha I thoroughly enjoyed 3 of the 4 meals we had. Every scrap!
Reesa Lewandowski
Wow what an amazing option for vegans! In Flight meals are often so pre-packaged and blah if you are not a traditional eater.
Di Hickman
Totally, which is why I think they are catering more to natural eaters. They do paleo, low fat, low carb, fruit only and so many more options
Charlotte
It’s awesome that they offer vegan meals and that they look semi decent! I tend to ask for the vegetarian option as it’s nicer than the normal meat options
Di Hickman
Yes I agree.
Brittany Fryman
With all the bad press that airlines get it’s nice to hear that Air New Zealand takes the comfort of their passengers seriously. It’s great that they offer meals for people with certain dietary restrictions. Bravo Air New Zealand!
Di Hickman
We’ve always had great service and experience with A NZ
Mary Ann
It’s nice to see so many options for those who are vegan. I would have loved to have had a Harry Potter movie marathon back from the UK! Seems quite fitting! Hope your trip was lovely, can’t wait to hear more details. London is my favorite city!
Di Hickman
Yes I thought harry potter was fitting choice!
AnnMarie John
I am not a vegan but I do enjoy veggies more. It’s so nice to hear that the food here is lovely and that it’s packed with flavor as well. Maybe they need a little more zing on the presentation but if the taste is good there’s nothing more you can ask for!
Di Hickman
The presentation is the same all round regardless of food choices, but yeah if you move things around a little it looks more appealing
Renee @ The Good Hearted Woman
It’s great that airlines are starting to do a better job with vegetarian and vegan meal options. They used to be abysmal.
Di Hickman
agreed! I cannot tell you the times I’ve been served stuffed pepper!
Rachel
I haven’t had an in flight meal in at least 20 years. The food looks great and I would be so happy to have an in flight movie marathon.
Di Hickman
We skipped it for about 10 years but are travelling back to visit family as finances and time allows
Beth Davidson
That’s impressive they serve vegan food in flight. I’ve avoided airplane food for years now, but if I ever have to take as long of a flight as to New Zealand, I hope they’re serving something tasty!
Di Hickman
Well we didn’t go quite as far to NZ (yet) but yep definitely tasty food!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
I’ve never flown long enough to need an in flight meal. However, I do like that there are options for vegans since there are so many with different dietary restrictions.
Di Hickman
I think there were 11 options in general for specialty meals!
Karen Morse
I think it’s really awesome that you got to try their vegan meals. They have really lovely selections! It’s going to make anyone’s flight better especially with good food that fits your diet.
Di Hickman
Yes nobody wants to get hangry on a plane!
Jeanine
I haven’t had inflight meals in years because it’s been a while since traveling a long distance but that food looks good and very filling!
Di Hickman
Yeah I always pack food for domestic flights
Melissa Chapman
It is great to know there are even meals on planes anymore. That airline was so good with all those movies and great vegan choices which we would love.
Di Hickman
Yes international flights still do food thankfully!
Erica
I’m so impressed there was actually food on the plane. But it makes sense since it was such a long trip. I think ordering specialty meals are the way to go. Because they are made in more limited amounts, they tend to be higher quality. I have the problem that I’m a gluten-free vegetarian. So I can get a gluten-free meal which usually means meat. Or I can have a vegetarian meal that usually contains gluten. So I pretty much always have to bring my own food.
Di Hickman
The airline we took had a fruit platter option which would maybe have worked for you. But yep, we bring our own food anyways as Bob is fussy with some foods and the vegan options are usually things he doesn’t like (pasta)
Kansas Bonanno
well, that’s just really awesome! More airlines needs to take note of this so it can help everyone on the plane out.
Di Hickman
Yeah the entertainment and food with NZ was awesome!
robin rue
That is amazing. I only fly domestically here in the US and the only people that get meals anymore are the people up in first class. So pretzels it is for me 🙂
Di Hickman
Yeah I noticed this on our recent domestic flights. Also many don’t even have free inflight entertainment for domestic anymore!