Kosher airline meal

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El Al in-flight meal in Business class. Due to its position as Israel's flag carrier, all of El Al's in-flight meals are kosher by default. El Al Business Meal.jpg
El Al in-flight meal in Business class. Due to its position as Israel's flag carrier, all of El Al's in-flight meals are kosher by default.

A kosher airline meal is an airline meal that conforms to the standards of kashrut. Many airlines offer the option of kosher meals to passengers if ordered in advance. These not only contain food that is kosher, but also other features to aid observant Jews, such as copies of Tefilat HaDerech (the Traveler's Prayer) and prayers that are recited before and after eating and bread on which the mezonot blessing is recited, thereby enabling observant Jews to consume the bread without washing hands.

Contents

"Kosher" is one of several options for special meals offered to air travelers. [1] Similarly styled meals that are packaged in double wrapping with verifiable kashrut certification are offered in a variety of other settings, such as cruise ships, hospitals, or catered events. [2] The double wrapping allows for the meals to be heated in a non-kosher oven. [3]

On airlines, kosher meals are the most commonly requested special meal. [4] Kosher meals have become popular even among non-Jewish passengers who perceive kosher foods to be cleaner and healthier. As they cost approximately twice as much as standard meals, airlines may charge more for them. [5]

History

Turkish Airlines kosher airline meal with typical mezonot bread Turkish Airlines Economy Kosher Meal TK791.jpg
Turkish Airlines kosher airline meal with typical mezonot bread

Kosher airline meals started appearing as an option in the 1960s for Orthodox Jewish travelers. [6]

Issues

Airlines have sometimes been subject to criticism due to their failure to provide kosher meals. In January 2022, American Airlines was fined R$ 16,000 for failing to serve kosher meals on several flights. [7] In February 2025, Air France provided a family with a meal which was labeled as kosher despite not being kosher. [8]

Cost

A kosher airline meal offered on a Cathay Pacific flight Cathay Pacific Economy Kosher Meal CX391 (20130613142910).jpg
A kosher airline meal offered on a Cathay Pacific flight

Kosher meals cost the airline nearly twice as much as standard meals, even as they are usually offered at no additional cost to the traveler. [5] Smithsonian Magazine has reported that kosher airline meals are the most expensive type of airline meal served. [9]

Kashrut issues

Sometimes, dairy and meat foods are mixed by airline employees unaware of the kashrut guideline prohibiting such mixtures, or dairy is served too soon after a meat meal. [10]

On Passover, meals containing chametz (bread which has leavened beyond 18 minutes) are sometimes served by mistake. [3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Apisdorf, Shimon (2005). Kosher for the clueless but curious. Leviathan Press. p. 41. ISBN   1881927318.
  2. ↑ Blech, Zushe Yosef (2009). Kosher Food Production. Wiley. pp. 182, 213. ISBN   978-08138-2093-4.
  3. 1 2 Eidlitz, Eliezer (2004) [1992]. Is it kosher: encyclopedia of kosher foods : facts & fallacies (5th ed.). Jerusalem/New York: Feldeheim Publishers. p. 169. ISBN   1-58330-616-1.
  4. ↑ Engel, Margaret (November 30, 1986). "Airline meals are fewer and colder, but are they getting better?". Gainesville Sun. Washington Post News Service. p. 40.
  5. 1 2 Dallos, Robert E. (January 12, 1974). "Everything Kosher Up and Above; Jewish Fare A Favorite On Airlines". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 23.
  6. ↑ Diamond, Etan (2000). And I will dwell in their midst: Orthodox Jews in suburbia. University of North Carolina Press. p. 139. ISBN   978-08078-4889-0.
  7. ↑ Kaplan, Josh (2022-01-11). "American Airlines fined after failing to serve Kosher food on transatlantic flights". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
  8. ↑ Chabin, Michele (2025-03-03). "Observant Jews upset by meals wrongly labeled as kosher on Air France flight". RNS. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
  9. ↑ "Air & Space Smithsonian". Air & Space/Smithsonian . Vol. 3. Smithsonian Institution. 1988. p. 49.
  10. ↑ Epstein, Donneal (2000). Halachos for the Traveler. Jerusalem/New York: Feldeheim Publishers. ISBN   1-58330-439-8.
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