Air India is introducing new low-fat “diet” meals for crews. Is this another not-so-subtle attempt at fat-shaming or just another cost cutting cutting move for a cash-starved airline?
Effective immediately, Air India cabin crews (flight attendants and pilots) will be served “diet” meals on all flights departing New Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM).
SPECIAL LOW FAT DIET MEALS FOR CREW
Taking into account the health factor of the crew, an initiative has been taken by director operations to revise the in-flight food menu for the crew.
In view of the above, a special low-fat diet meal for the crew has been worked out on a day-wise basis, to provide light and healthy meals with a home [Indian] touch.
These will not supplement, but replace regular offerings.
One Mile at a Time wonders if fat-shaming is behind the move. He rightly notes that in the past Air India has marginalized and even terminated crew members for their weight.
> Read More: Court Orders Air India To Rehire Flight Attendant Fired For Being Too Fat
While I don’t discount that is part of the equation, my hunch is the real reason for the change is cost-cutting.
The Hindustan Times quotes Air India spokesman Dhananjay Kumar and I find the last sentence quite revealing.
We are introducing healthy special meals for all the crew. The new menu is also cost-effective.
Air India lost ₹7,600 crore last year ($1.07BN) and has debt over ₹58,300 crore ($8.21BN). Staggering, isn’t it?
CONCLUSION
The new meals, which include beetroot ki tikki, tinda masala, palak matar bhurji, lauki ki subzi, and malka masoor dal all sound fairly tasty. But forcing crews to diet kills two birds with one stone (pun intended). It helps to combat obesity and saves a few bucks…not that the losses ever seem to truly matter. Hopefully the new meals will not include cockroaches.
> Read More: India’s Grand Plan To Save Air India
image: Air India
Fat shaming? You do know that obesity is health problem right? Not only affecting your health, but being fat or obese also cause a disturbance to others. Smelly sweat, and offcourse, nobody wants to seat next to fat person in economy….
What is it with you people? Are we going to have fat-pride parade in a few years? Or maybe making every restaurant in the world serve ice water as compulsory or making a law whereby not tipping shall be imprisoned? Sigh…..
What a bigoted commentary. For one thing, your comments are nasty and unnecessary. Some people have weight issues, some people have body odor issues and many have other health issues. It’s not for you to insist on what they should eat. Many vegans are downright annoying and clearly need more protein. But it’s not for me to force a hamburger on them any more than it is for you to force “low fat” tasteless meals on others. By the way, “low fat” doesn’t necessarily mean “low calorie”.
Secondly, judgmental creeps like you who want to impose their ideas on to others (just as Air India is doing to their crews) are dangerous. I’m sure that you are far from perfect. Your comment provides ample proof of that.
Hello fatso!
I’m not fat, you ignorant a-hole.
If you have issue(s), fix it! Health issue, go to a doctor, for example. Don’t go crying demanding privilege from others. You are a waste of oxygen….
The women in the photo do not resemble the majority of Air India FAs. Many of them are grossly overweight ; that wouldn’t be so bad were it not for the fact that the uniforms expose a vast amount of bare flesh, particularly around the midriff and underarms. It’s not always a good look….rolls of fat glistening with sweat. Air Lanka same, same.
Perhaps that is why this is the only stock photo available from Air India, one of two Star Alliance carriers I have never flown.
Which is the other star alliance airline which you’ve never flown?
Oh, Matthew. Consider yourself lucky that you’ve never flown Air India ….