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High-flyers lay it on the tray: MAS passengers scrutinise in-flight meals 

Amid catering transition, customers air grievances over packed food

7:01 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – An unofficial Facebook group used by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) passengers to exchange flight information and share their experiences has transformed into a platform for expressing their frustrations regarding the food served during their journeys.

On the group titled “Malaysia Airlines – Info Sharing,” numerous passengers have voiced their discontent with the in-flight meals. This dissatisfaction arises following the airline’s recent announcement that passengers are allowed to bring their own meals on board for affected routes due to a transition to a new catering service provider on September 3.

MAS concluded its long-standing partnership with caterer Brahim’s Food Services in Kuala Lumpur. During the transition phase, passengers will still receive meals or refreshments on their flights. 

A user known as Mike Storm, who flew on flight MH784 from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok on Wednesday, reported being served a rotten apple and bread that was set to expire the next day. Storm commented: “No hot drink served, and no quality check from catering on the meal box.” He also provided photos of his disappointing “meal.”

Muhammad Syafiq Ismail posted an image of a bread roll in a cardboard box that he received on a business class flight from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Baru on Thursday.

Eric Zikri left a comment that read: “Expensive ticket, but all you got was bread… are we back in the neolithic age?”

Hafiz Razak also shared a photo of a cardboard box filled with salted peanuts, three pieces of bread, an apple, and a bottle of mineral water. He expressed his disappointment, saying: “Heading to Tawau today [September 8] at 7.15am, seated next to Korean tourists; they also thought it was their first time only eating like this… No wonder there are really cheap flight tickets below 100… What really happen?”

Another user, Abang Fadli, recounted his experience on a Kuala Lumpur to Kuching flight in a post on Wednesday.

He reported that the boarding was on time but the flight was delayed by 45 minutes as the meals did not arrive punctually. 

“I thought there was a problem with the aircraft, but in the end, workers were rushing to lift the boxes containing the meals that had just arrived. It’s day four [since the contract with Brahim’s ended]; you still can’t manage? What is the top management doing? Don’t you have a mitigation plan? The flight is about to take off, and only then you want to send the meal boxes? The whole flight, there were no hot drinks. I don’t mind a boxed meal, but give us something nice… this does not seem sincere.”

Additionally, he expressed sympathy for the cabin crew on the flight who appeared less than thrilled to serve the boxed meals to passengers. — September 9, 2023

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