It is easy to get disappointed with airplane food, when it comes to vegan cuisine. I will be reviewing different international airlines that I feel served the best vegan airplane meals on my website.
Scandinavian Airlines flies from Copenhagen to Shanghai and, if booking in advance, business class tickets cost nearly the same as SAS Plus tickets. You are getting priority boarding, entrance to SAS Lounge, 40kg of luggage, two meals, free drinks & snacks and a very comfortable bed. When booking tickets for this 11hr journey halfway around the world, I was excited to try their vegan meal option.
I was given warm pre-flight nuts with a glass of champagne to start with. The first meal was served around 1-2 hours into the flight and included some bread with vegan spread, a green salad and a little bottle of olive oil- balsamic dressing. The starter meal was grilled eggplant and squash with some tomatoes.
The main course included a very small serving of oven baked cauliflower, green beans and half of a baked lemon with some rice. I was very disappointed as it was a very small portion including a half lemon and it is impossible to eat baked lemon in my opinion.
SAS Business did not have any vegan dessert option. I got two figs, which normally goes with non-vegan desert options. I must admit that I was very disappointed with the meal served in a business class level from Copenhagen to Shanghai.
Before landing I was served a breakfast tray, which had a warm dish of spinach, potatoes and one cherry tomato. There was also a small plate of fruit and a fresh veggie plate, which consist of some cucumbers, tomatoes and red radish. The bread came with vegan spread. I was very happy with the warm dish as I am a fan of eating warm breakfasts.
Flying back from Shanghai to Copenhagen I was more happier because I got some delicious Chinese food as a main course. The starter was grilled eggplant and squash with some green olives, artichokes and bread, which came with vegan spread. Then I got a delicious warm noodle dish with fried tofu and veggies. What a treat!
Before landing I was served delicious lunch, which included some bread, a green salad with some bell peppers and cucumber pieces and a little bottle of olive oil-balsamic dressing. The starter meal was grilled eggplant, red peppers and parsley. It was served aesthetically with a slice of lemon and a piece of chive.
The main course included a small warm serving of oven baked veggies in a tomato sauce including artichokes with some basils.
As SAS Business did not have any vegan dessert option. I got a fruit bowl again, which normally goes with non-vegan desert options.
All in all the disappointment I got from Copenhagen to Shanghai with SAS Business Class changed on the way back home. From Shanghai to Copenhagen it was really a good experience with SAS, particularly as a vegan who often find it difficult to find healthy, tasty food on the plane. It’s not quite up to standard with normal meal options but the range of food is as good as any other special request meal.
Let us hope that the catering company, which SAS works with in Copenhagen serves better than a half baked lemon as a main course. And a big thumbs up for the chef who served from Shanghai to Copenhagen. Everything was delicious!