Beloved airplane snack is disappearing from skies over fears it is too DANGEROUS to serve to passengers
A beloved airplane snack is disappearing from the menu because airlines fear it is too dangerous to serve it in the air.
Veronika Bondarenko, a reporter for the Miami Heraldsaid she was devastated when she found out her favorite in-flight meal, instant noodles, was no longer available.
Airlines have determined that instant noodles require boiling water to be poured over them to activate the flavor and create broth, which can put passengers and flight attendants at risk of spilling food on the noodles during turbulence and causing burns.
In fact, a flight attendant told Bondarenko she couldn’t serve her favorite comfort food while the seat belt light was on.
While some airlines are cautious about serving certain items, other airlines are eliminating this option altogether.
A beloved airplane snack is disappearing from in-flight menus because airlines fear it is too dangerous to serve it during the flight
Airlines have determined that because instant noodles require boiling water to be poured over them to activate the flavor and create the broth, passengers and flight attendants are at risk of spilling and burning themselves on the noodles during turbulence.
Despite years of cooperation with Shin Ramyun noodles, Korean Air has discontinued instant noodle service for economy class passengers to ensure passenger safety.
Passengers with more space in business class have the privilege of being served ramen noodles with or without the seatbelt light on, especially since the flight attendants don’t have to lean over two other people to pour the water.
The decision to stop serving instant noodles is likely prompted by recent incidents of severe turbulence.
In May 2024, a Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to London encountered extreme turbulence, killing one person and injuring more than 100.
Two months later, a similar incident occurred on an Air Europa flight from Spain to Uruguay.
A scientific study even suggests a link between climate change and increased air turbulence. The study found a 17% increase in turbulence incidents from 1970 to 2020, with projections pointing to a further increase as climate change intensifies.
That’s why it’s now riskier than ever to serve snacks that require boiling water to be poured over them.
To support their argument, Korean Air noted that there was a 50% increase in turbulence-related incidents between 2019 and 2014. The company now offers safer alternatives to instant ramen, such as pizza and hot pockets.