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Home » American Airlines » Yuck: American Airlines Passenger Finds Bugs In Business Class Salad
American Airlines

Yuck: American Airlines Passenger Finds Bugs In Business Class Salad

Matthew Klint Posted onJune 7, 2022November 14, 2023 34 Comments

a plastic bag with a green object in it

A man was dismayed to find his business class salad on an American Airlines flight from Frankfurt (FRA) to Dallas (DFW) had moving parts which appeared to be bugs. I don’t think this was meant to be a salad protein topper…

Man Finds Live Bugs In His American Airlines Business Class Salad

Andrew Stevens was traveling on AA71 from FRA home to DFW on June 2, 2022 and found at least seven little black bugs moving through his salad, which was thankfully (though contrary to current service standards) covered in plastic when served.

He notified a flight attendant, who laughed and asked if he wanted a different salad.

Uh, you think?

@AmericanAir here is a video I took from my flight today from FRA to DFW. Business class was over $10,000 round trip and this is the quality of service… food with live bugs being served and a staff that simply laughed it off and asked if I wanted a different salad. pic.twitter.com/eJOmwo921n

— Ricky James (@VanillaRicJames) June 2, 2022

James laments that he paid $10,000 for his ticket and should not have to deal with bugs in his salad. I think that’s a fair expectation…

Although it is undoubtedly the problem of American Airlines that its business class passenger was served a salad with bugs, the root of the problem lies with Gate Gourmet, the caterer. In fact, James even concluded this himself:

I haven’t heard anything back from @AmericanAir but I did some research and it appears this is an issue that is ongoing with @Gate_Gourmet …

— Ricky James (@VanillaRicJames) June 4, 2022

It boils down to Gate Gourmet struggling to find sufficient workers to perform quality control, and this is in Frankfurt where everyone makes a living wage.

I’m not sure a full refund is merited, but American Airlines should certainly cough up something generous for his trouble, especially considering his Executive Platinum status. Thus far, an American Airlines spokesperson said:

“We’re concerned about this report, as what the customer is describing is not up to our standards. We are investigating this matter and are working directly with our catering provider in Frankfurt. A member of our team has reached out to the customer to apologize and learn more about their experience.”

So, last question. Any entomologists or health experts reading? Because I have to admit, I’m to the point where I’d just brush away the moving bugs and eat the salad…was the passenger likely to get sick? After all, our salad does come from the ground. This is not meant to excuse American Airlines or Gate Gourmet in any way, but as I get older I suppose I’ve become the polar opposite of a germaphobe.

CONCLUSION

A man found moving bugs in his salad on an American Airlines intercontinental flight in business class. American has apologized for the incident, though it is not clear how it is compensating the passenger.

I suppose it would behoove you to take a look at your salad before biting into it on your next American Airlines flight…

Reminds me of the time a Live and Let’s Fly reader found a maggot in his Delta salad…


> Read More: Man Finds Maggot in Delta First Class Meal, Delta Gives Him $50

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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34 Comments

  1. Average Republican Reply
    June 7, 2022 at 10:58 am

    Must have been a liberal snowflake to complain about this. Why in my day we used to eat all our food crawling with bugs. Then we walked to school barefoot in the snow, uphill both ways.

    This generation is so soft.
    MAGA!

    • jsm Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 12:00 pm

      It has gotten to the point where after I read Matthew’s blog entry I guess how many points will it take until someone posts along the lines of “MAGA”. Average got there first. What I don’t understand, other than hubris, is why was this posted? It has nothing to do with travel, nothing to do with an insect infestation of prepared food, nothing to do with AA.

      As far as AA, it has a problem with the caterer. However, AA’s bigger problem is with the flight attendant’s response to food infestation. To laugh it off and then ask if the customer wants a replacement item is where AA’s employee problem is, regardless if the passenger is in business or a variation of economy.

    • Michael Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 4:59 pm

      You are pathetic….and immature. Is division and cynicism all you have to offer? How’s that working for you? You deserve the miserable life you so clearly live.

      Please take your negativity and ignorance elsewhere.

    • Koggerj Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 7:12 pm

      Liberal trolls like yourself show that your entire ideology is based on emotions.

  2. Santastico Reply
    June 7, 2022 at 11:16 am

    Who pays $10,000 to fly on AA? As for the bugs, I cannot identify them but at least they are alive which means the salad is free of pesticides.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 11:36 am

      I wonder if he was exaggerating on the ticket price…

      • Santastico Reply
        June 7, 2022 at 11:40 am

        Not at all!! I have seen many times business class tickets on US airlines over $10,000. Crazy!!!!

      • Jack Reply
        June 9, 2022 at 1:41 pm

        He might be exaggerating in this case but I once paid 10k for a last minute ticket from LA to Sydney on United to deal with a family emergency – and that was five years ago. Thankfully bug free. Ticket price is besides the point – you’re not paying $10k for food. But even if you’re paying $5 at McDonalds you don’t want live bugs in your salad as it suggest it hasn’t been properly washed. Unwashed salad vegetables are one of the primary causes of food poisoning.

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          June 9, 2022 at 2:20 pm

          I agree.

  3. Cy Reply
    June 7, 2022 at 11:23 am

    Yet another reason I don’t fly business class
    on US based airlines. Never been served bugs on Qatar or Turkish.

    • Santastico Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 11:39 am

      My company alway pays business class tickets for international flight. Yes, it is insane to pay that much but their view is that if you are spending that money to visit a customer you will pay that off by getting a new contract, deal, etc… I think the most my company paid for a business class ticket for me was $17k to Asia. However, I simply do not spend that money to fly a US airline. When the cost is that high I usually go out of my way to fly ME or Asian airlines. At least you get what you paid for.

  4. Dave Edwards Reply
    June 7, 2022 at 11:26 am

    3rd world country has bugs, not shocking at all, what’s the bigger story? To me it’s someone paying $10k for any flight.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 11:35 am

      Germany is a third world country?

      • Sonu Chatha Reply
        June 7, 2022 at 1:07 pm

        How do you identify third World country? #justasking

      • Jerry Reply
        June 7, 2022 at 2:09 pm

        Dave’s only trip to Germany was to attend an AfD rally in Dresden, so from his purview he isn’t entirely wrong.

        • Koggerj Reply
          June 7, 2022 at 7:07 pm

          Afd is great

      • Dave Edwards Reply
        June 7, 2022 at 4:18 pm

        They did say they can’t pay their fair share to NATO. Either lying cheats or a 3rd world economy. You would know the answer better than most of us.

  5. Robert Reply
    June 7, 2022 at 11:52 am

    Bugs happen, especially in produce. I can’t remember all the times I’ve been served a salad and found a small bug or fly with it. Get over it and ask for a new salad

  6. Sonu Chatha Reply
    June 7, 2022 at 12:11 pm

    I’ve had issues with food in their lounges. Their customer services sucks. Had mold
    On the food and shared pictures with Twitter team, Twitter team told me they can’t do anything. Sent an email to corporate and never got a reply from them.

  7. T Stewart Reply
    June 7, 2022 at 2:08 pm

    I was assaulted by American Airlines flight attendant. A physical slap with witnesses that saw the entire thing happened. American Airline contacted me but they’re not resolving the issue. I need help with legal advice please.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 2:12 pm

      I can’t provide legal advice, but can certainly help guide you. Please feel free to email me with details using the contact form above.

    • Dave Edwards Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 4:22 pm

      Is this you Tony Stewart?

      I’m no lawyer either but I wouldn’t settle for less than 5,000 miles and 5,000 loyalty points. Along with a couple Turkey Pastrami sandwiches.

      And since EVERYTHING is on film anymore, you should be fine proving your claim.

    • Tony N Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 10:52 pm

      You can’t do anything. You need proof. But then again flight attendants are always right. Like the Police.

  8. Austin Reply
    June 7, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    While very gross, my question is wouldn’t this be a major issue taking bugs from one county to another? Obviously this was not on purpose but shouldn’t someone from Germany’s version of agricultural inspection or similar agency do random checks? Taking pests (even inadvertantly) to another country could be dangerous depending on the insects. What did the flight attendants do with them? Did they report this to the agricultural department in Dallas?

    • Santastico Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 6:26 pm

      Absolutely. They failed in so many ways. Bring an apple from the plane into the US and you will see what happens to you.

      • Sam Reply
        June 7, 2022 at 8:10 pm

        Nothing. They just take the produce, exray your bags & you’re on your way. Just went through it a couple of days ago with a banana from a lounge that I didnt eat.

  9. Bubba Reply
    June 7, 2022 at 3:09 pm

    When the ingredients are kept cold, the fruit flies are dormant. When it warms up, they start to move. If you’ve got lettuce, especially organic, you’ve got a potential for bugs. The potential varies according to the weather: the warmer, the more there are (I believe there’s an early-summer and a late-summer peak); if it rains during or just before harvesting, you’re getting more mud and stuff in the lettuce.
    So bugs should be rinsed away with the salad, but if you’ve got organic greens harvested in the rain after a warm week, you’ll have protein. Understaffed kitchen rinses the lettuce the same amount as always, and then packages and chills everything for maximum longevity, and the problem won’t be seen until the passenger gets served.
    Conclusion: serve some sort of cauliflower dish instead.

    • Scott Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 7:38 pm

      Very helpful comment, am I on the correct blog?? Anyway, this probably explains the cauliflower salad on United from London in the other post today.

    • PolishKnight Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 10:55 pm

      Fantastic analysis but question: What does “understaffing” have to do with the issue? You say that they would rinse and package the lettuce ‘as always’ so what could more staffing have done to remediate the problem?

      • Bubba Reply
        June 8, 2022 at 1:50 am

        Understaffing isn’t just a question of a lack of warm bodies; it’s a shortage of training, competence, and experience, as well as the time to make those qualities effective.

  10. Stuart Reply
    June 7, 2022 at 8:53 pm

    I think even more surprising (or not) was the attitude of the AA FA. She should have been embarrassed, apologetic, and making sure this person was well taken care of. Making it into a joke is hardly the polish of a proffesional, but so typical of U.S. flight attendants. Stuff happens, or in this case bugs happen, how its handled is what matters.

    • Dave Edwards Reply
      June 7, 2022 at 9:05 pm

      Honest question, were you on AA 2391 yesterday? I flew in FC with the biggest asshole ever. Wanted wine before takeoff because water and juice wasn’t good enough. Then proceeded to complain about the meal and how fast he got more wine. When the seatbelt sign came on he complained.

      I have no idea if you are an overweight white guy in your late 40’s (being generous), but damn, from everything I have read from you, you immediately came to mind.

  11. Tony N Reply
    June 7, 2022 at 9:54 pm

    So with salad being organic, I would expect a bug or two to appear. I had that happen in a restaurant once. Sorry, but paying thousands of dollars for a flight is mostly going for profit to the airline, not necessarily for the quality of food. Now they’re probably going to spray their salad with insecticide. Oh Well!

  12. Kurt Reply
    June 8, 2022 at 1:20 pm

    Yes, it’s normal for freshly picked lettuce to have bugs on it. No, it’s not normal for a prepared salad from a commercial kitchen to have bugs on it. My concern here is that either:
    1) The lettuce was not rinsed or not rinsed thoroughly. In that case, there could be pesticides, E. coli, and fertilizer that were also not rinsed off.
    2) The lettuce was rinsed but the kitchen has poor sanitation and an insect infestation leading to the salad being re-contaminated.

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