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New menu incorporates Indian and global
influences, and geo-specific star dishes
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The food will be sourced, prepared, packed and handled with
care for the environment and community
GURGAON:
Air India, India’s leading global airline, announced the introduction of its
new global menu across its fleet. The menu draws inspiration from India’s
diverse culinary tapestry, from the royal kitchens of Awadh to the coastal
flavours of southern India, while incorporating global influences through Pan-Asian,
European Bistro, and geo-specific star dishes.
The menu weaves a
delicious story that combines the flavours of India with influences from global
cuisines. To strike a chord with every traveller, there is a portfolio mix of
region-inspired meals and global cuisines such as European bistros and
pan-Asian. The region-inspired meals like south-Indian cuisine brings alive the
heritage of India giving the travellers an authentic dining experience.
Guests travelling First
Class will enjoy gourmet meals, artisanal breads, signature desserts, and
bespoke wine and champagne pairings. Business Class offers multi-course gourmet
meals with customisable options and curated beverage pairings, while Premium
Economy and Economy feature upgraded meal trays with balanced, wholesome
options with familiar regional flavours and enhanced presentation.
Highlights
of the new menu include:
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Signature Indian dishes: Awadhi Paneer Anjeer Pasanda (Veg Awadhi
Thali), Murgh Massalam (Non-veg Awadhi Thali), and south Indian platter in First
and Business Class. Rajasthani besan chilla, malabari chicken curry, and malai
palak kofta in Premium Economy
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International cuisine: Japanese Teppanyaki Bowl, citrus tiger
prawns, and oriental napa cabbage and tofu rollmops in First Class and
Seoul flamed prawns, manicotti forestiere, and Mediterranean tapas in Business Class
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GenZ Delights: chicken bibimbap and matcha delice in Business
Class
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Home-made comfort food: homestyle masala dal khichdi and
homestyle stuffed parantha in Business Class
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Plant-Based & Special Dietary Options: A dedicated vegan, gluten-free, and
allergen-conscious menu
The exquisite new menu has been curated
by Chef Sandeep Kalra, who joined Air India recently as the airline continues
with its transformation programme, with new and upgraded aircraft joining the
fleet and the introduction of new cabin and the new Air India experience across
its fleet. The new menu has taken inspiration from the diverse culinary
experiences that India offers from the classic Delhi Street food to the real
southern India tiffin, apart from international cuisine that appeal to today’s
young travellers such as Korean Bibimbap and Matcha. The Air India cabin crew
have also gone through specialised training to enhance customer experience
onboard.
“At the very core, the new food and
beverage enhancements draw inspiration from Air India's commitment to
continuous innovation and transforming the customer experience. We are
reimagining the inflight dining experience that resonates with the tastes and
preferences of global travellers. Our thoughtfully curated menu caters to
guests from different cultural affinities who prefer delectable gourmet meals.
We endeavour to master the art of menu design and presentation to ensure every
inflight meal goes beyond taste into serving care and culinary excellence,” said Mr. Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience
Officer, Air India.
Air India will also
offer over 18 special meal types, one of the few airlines worldwide to do so,
accommodating modern travellers’ lifestyles and dietary preferences for a truly
inclusive and personalised experience. Guests can choose from thoughtfully
curated choices ranging from international cuisine, homestyle comfort food, to
health-conscious fare that caters to contemporary dietary lifestyles. Guests
can also pre-select meals online using the Air India app with chef's notes,
allergen information, and customisation capabilities.
The
airline is also trying to reduce its environmental impact across the cycle such
as in responsible sourcing, packaging, and waste reduction. Using locally
sourced seasonal food to support local farmers and keep food miles down, Air
India also ensures freshness of ingredients from the time of produce till the
final serving onboard. There is also increased emphasis on environmentally
friendly initiatives such as compostable utensils, paper meal boxes, less
single-use plastics, and segregation of onboard waste for recycling and
composting to reduce the carbon footprint.