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#trending: Netizens slam SIA’s ‘downgraded’ economy meals, compare them to army food; airline says will consider feedback

The quality of Singapore Airlines (SIA) meals was called into question recently, after a social media user posted a photo of a meal in economy class.

#trending: Netizens slam SIA’s ‘downgraded’ economy meals, compare them to army food; airline says will consider feedback
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  • A social media user recently posted a photo of a Singapore Airlines meal and questioned if standards of the national carrier were dropping
  • The passenger claimed that a packet of plain crackers was given in place of dessert and fresh fruits, for instance
  • Other online users echoed similar sentiments, with some saying that they felt portion sizes were smaller and the quality of meals have worsened
  • The airline said that regular audits are made with catering partners to ensure quality of meals served in-flight
  • It added that it will take into account customers' feedback

SINGAPORE — The quality of Singapore Airlines (SIA) meals was called into question recently, after a social media user posted a photo of a meal in economy class for a medium-haul flight from Singapore to Seoul in South Korea.

The photo posted on the Reddit online forum on Tuesday (April 18) showed rice with two sides in the style of cai fan (economic rice), paired with a packet of plain crackers and a bread roll. 

Reddit user "throwawayaway539" claimed that meals from the national carrier used to be served with cake, dessert and fresh fruit, but these side dishes have now been replaced with a piece of cracker and “cheap” plastic disposable cutlery, Coconuts Singapore website reported.

In the post, the user was “disappointed” to know that “other full-fledged airlines offer better in-flight experiences at a lower cost”.

The photo seems to be a repost from a separate discussion on online forum Hardware Zone on the same topic, though the text on Reddit has since been removed. 

After the post, Redditors made comparisons of the in-flight meal to food from the National Service (NS) cookhouse, instant food from 7-Eleven convenience stores, and food served on a budget airline.

One wrote, "They (import) food from my NS army camp is it?", while a few others agreed that the meal looked like it came straight out of an army cookhouse.

Others chimed in with similar lacklustre experiences of the meals on SIA flights. 

One said that the airline had “downsized the portions by a lot” and that he did not find it “filling anymore”.

Another observed that the meals have gotten “worse” after the Covid-19 pandemic. “Before that, the meals were served with more class and the food was either of better quality or at least more presentable.”

Previously, SIA’s paper serviceware trial faced some criticism because it was seen as a cost-cutting measure and appeared to make SIA look “cheap”.

The trial of new serviceware was rolled out in economy class and premium economy class on selected flights from February to March this year.

Containers made of “Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper and finished with the distinctive SIA look” were intended to help “retain heat and moisture better than the current casserole dish”, the airline said then.

A similar complaint on SIA meals was made on Tuesday (April 18) in a HardwareZone forum by another passenger. 

"No more fresh fruits, cake or dessert. Just a soggy mess served in a cheap plastic container and a dry bun," the person wrote, furnishing a photo of the meal served on an SIA flight from Singapore to Taipei, Taiwan.

The image, which showed a main course of fish with gravy and beans, as well as a bread roll, was first shared on Facebook group Singapore Atrium Sale. 

In response to TODAY's queries, the airline said: “SIA works closely with our local and overseas catering partners to curate the meals served on board.”

It added that it does a full audit at the start of each new menu and regular audits are made with catering partners to ensure the quality of meals served on board flights. 

“We will take our customers’ feedback into account as we adjust our meal options and for future in-flight meal services.”

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