Air France-KLM subsidiary airline Transavia has become the first airline to launch a new dining technology on flights from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport to Faro, Portugal. Passengers on the flight were able to order popular takeaway food using an app up to one hour before boarding. The new technology is the work of dnata, iFLEAT and Just Eat.

Takeaway on a plane?

Takeaway company Just Eat worked with dnata, the inflight retailer, and iFLEAT, a technology company, to create the new dining service. The app allows passengers to book food in advance and have food delivered onto the plane. Passengers can choose from a range of hot meals, sushi, salads, vegan options and poke bowls.

The app had its first test in September on a Transavia flight from Schiphol Airport. Currently, the service is available on four flights to Greece, Portugal and Italy. Don’t worry; more Transavia flights will soon offer the same service and eventually, the companies involved hope to see it rolling out around the world. According to iFLEAT, the initial aim is to provide a range of food on demand for more than 120 destinations.

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More destinations

However, dnata provides services to over 300 airlines. If this form of ordering food proves successful, it could be made available on considerably more than 120 destinations. The new offering means passengers are not restricted to eating what is available on the plane or offered by the airline. Partnering with external food services using Just Eat means passengers have a vast range of foods available to them.

Silvie Cremers, Global Sales Director at Just Eat Takeaway.com, said,

“This special cooperation, which makes it possible to serve fresh meals on a plane, is a great step forward. We are very proud to be the first to offer this service and are confidently looking forward to the further roll-out of in-flight delivery.”

Of course, delivery times may vary and, depending on locations the menu will be different. However, the choice will no doubt be better than it is now. By offering more choice, Transavia said it also hopes to minimize onboard waste.

Less contact and less waste

The airline says it experiences its fair share of meals which are bought, but not consumed. Plane food does have a somewhat negative reputation. If passengers can be sure they are ordering food they will like, it should minimize waste.

Marcel de Nooijer, CEO of Transavia, commented that,

“It is important to keep innovating and further improving service for our customers, especially in these unprecedented times. We’re starting modestly by offering this meal service on four flights. However, we have confidence in this great concept and hope to expand it further as opportunities allow.”

Of course, many airlines have recently been slashing the assortment of food onboard. I particular, sharing nuts have recently come under fire for the potential of spreading germs. Transavia says it has considered.

The meals are selected, prepared and paid in advance, so crew members simply need to provide the meals. Cabin crew will not need to prepare the food or exchange money making the new service safe during these difficult and complicated times.

What do you think of the new takeaway service? Will you use an app to order plane food? Let us know what you think in the comments.