Korean Air gets rid of popular menu item

A major airline has decided to get rid of its very popular snack – and not everyone is going to be happy about it.

If you love ordering a cup of instant free ramen on Korean Air – it’s no longer going to be a thing.

The national carrier has decided to get rid of one of its most-popular snacks as of August 15 for those flying in economy – and you can blame turbulence for it.

The airline said the increased risk of turbulence, narrow aisles and passengers sitting closely together could mean “burn incidents occur frequently”.

However, those at the pointy end in business and first class will still be able to enjoy the snack.

You can no longer a cup of instant ramen on request on Korean Air. Picture: TikTok

In a statement to TIME, a spokesperson for Korean Air confirmed it has “renewed its in-flight snack service” and will “offer a variety of snacks such as sandwiches, corn dogs, and hot pockets” instead.

“This decision is part of proactive safety measures in response to increased turbulence, aimed at preventing burn accidents,” the spokesperson told the publication.

South Korea’s national carrier is widely known for the popular snack which is free, but those flying economy during long-haul economy flights to the Americas, Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East, will now miss out.

The airline got rid of it because of turbulence – but there’s going to be some disappointed passengers if TikTok is anything to go by with clips of the snack going viral. Picture: TikTok

It’s so popular that TikTok is awash with clips from passengers enjoying the snack.

LA-based lifestyle and travel influencer Aylen Park clocked 3.1 million views on her clip boasting about “how good” the instant ramen (was) on the airline.

@aylennpark Can you tell I’m such a foodie by the way I get so excited by good airplane food?🤣 Korean Air food was amazing! #food #korean #koreansnack #koreanfood #koreanrecipe #foodrecipe #mukbang #airplane #airplanefood #koreanair ♬ original sound - Aylen Park

@chefchrischo Free ramen on Korean airplanes?! 🍜✈️🇰🇷#koreanair #koreanfood #ramen #planefood #flightfood #fyp ##flights##koreantiktok##chefchrischo ♬ original sound - Chef Chris Cho

“I had no idea you could order shin ramen on the plane for free until my mum went to the snack bar and surprised us with two cup ramen that got delivered right to our seats,” Park said.

Another traveller said “for Korean people a cup of ramen is like a life jacket” as he filmed himself enjoying the snack on board a flight to the US.

The airline said the increased risk of turbulence, narrow aisles and passengers sitting closely together in economy could mean ‘burn incidents occur frequently’. Picture: TikTok

“It’s so important, wherever we go we always eat our cup of ramen at some point during the trip,” he said.

@korean_friend0 Did you know you can order a cup ramen on a plane? 🍜 I’m pretty sure that only Korean Air serves free ramen if you ask! It tastes even better in the sky 😂 At least there’s something to look forward to on a long flight! #koreanair #airplane #airport #cupramen #ramen #shinramen ♬ 오리지널 사운드 - korean friend

Many have already jumped on social media to express their disappointment over the airline’s move.

“Aren’t coffee and tea hot?” one person asked.

But not everyone was opposed to the ban, with one traveller calling it a “very good decision”, saying they had always been “nervous” that they would be scalded.

Korean Air said it will “continue to seek service methods that are safe while increasing customer convenience and satisfaction”.