Qantas launches new domestic flight menu featuring ‘plant-based’ options

Following the controversy around ditching vegetarian meals on some flights, Qantas has launched a very meat-free menu in response.

Following Qantas’ snap decision to backflip on scrapping vegetarian meals on some domestic flights, the airline has unveiled an entirely new menu for passengers from this month.

The Australian carrier sparked controversy just weeks ago, when it announced vegetarian meals would be ditched from flights under 3.5 hours.

“What kind of airline stops offering vegetarian food to its passengers?” one passenger tweeted at the time.

“It was chicken pie or nothing tonight.”

Love news? Stream 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >

The new menu comes weeks after the airline copped backlash for considering scrapping vegetarian meals off some domestic flights. Picture: iStock

At the time of the announcement, Qantas justified the decision as simplifying the “service delivery” for crew, however following a wave of complaints the airline was forced to backflip on the decision.

Now, Qantas has announced it will launch the first domestic economy menu change since it was simplified as a result of the pandemic. And the main feature? Meat-free.

It is understood there will be six variations of the menu for each service time, being breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper.

Qantas executive manager of product and service Phil Capps said the menu has been “several months” in the making.

“We started work on the new menu several months ago and have put a lot of effort into creating variety, drawing on premium ingredients from a wide range of local producers,” he said.

The new offering at Qantas’s Sydney lounges includes a plant-based bolognese.

The new menu follows recent outrage over Qantas considering ditching vegetarian meals for some flights.

The new menu will include dishes such as bolognese calzone, chicken and potato Mediterranean croquettes, and zucchini and caramelised onion frittata.

Other highlights include zucchini and corn fritters, spinach and ricotta wrap, gluten-free and plant-based chocolate caramel slice, and pear and ginger cake.

In addition to the new in-flight menu changes, the airline will introduce a range of ‘plant-based meat options’ into its Sydney Domestic and Business Class lounges.

The new options include a penne pasta bolognese with parmesan as well as cocktail pies with tomato sauce.

Last month, despite a run of flight delays, lost baggage and cancellations, Qantas announced its overall performance had improved in September.

“On time performance has improved from 52 per cent of flights on time in July, to 67 per cent in August and 71 per cent from September 1-14,” the national carrier said.

The new menu is the biggest change to economy since the pandemic began. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“Flight cancellations also reduced to just 2 per cent during the month so far, down from 7.5 per cent in June and 4 per cent in August.

“The current figure is below pre-Covid levels.

“Mishandled bags are at six per 1000 passengers overall and at five per 1000 for domestic – which is at pre-Covid levels.”