Recently, an X user tagged Vistara and asked why the vegetarian meal is called a "Hindu meal" and the chicken meal is called a ''Muslim meal'' on their flights. Her tweet which went viral, attracted a flurry of responses on the social media platform. Many industry experts and users alike, clarified that the airline meal codes are not specific to Vistara, but rather an industry-wide standard.
They explained that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) establishes standardized meal codes, which are used across the aviation industry to streamline meal management and communication among airlines, caterers, and ground staff. This ensures consistency and efficiency in handling diverse passenger meal requirements.
One user wrote, ''Are you travelling after a long time? This is nothing new, international flights have that classification too. Instead of writing halal they put muslim meal, same for Hindu veg meal which might have onion and garlic and Jain veg meal would not have onion, garlic, etc.''
''FYI in general aviation parlance, a Hindu Meal (HNML) is NOT necessarily a Veg meal - it could be a Non Veg meal that is not Halal. Similarly a Moslem meal (MOML) is a Non Vegetarian meal that is HALAL,'' explained Sanjay Lazar, CEO of Avialaz Consultants.
Sanjiv Kapoor, a seasoned aviation expert and former CEO-designate of Jet Airways, also weighed in on the controversy. He wrote, ''These are standard international meal codes used globally across GDS-based airlines, not just by Vistara. However, I do think IATA or whoever needs to update/modernize these outdated and at times somewhat puzzling meal codes.''
Airline meal codes are a standardised system established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to accommodate the diverse dietary requirements of passengers worldwide. These codes used universally across the aviation industry, enable airlines to efficiently identify and provide suitable meal options for travellers with specific needs.
