Gone are the days of the frugal and complimentary snack box on Air India Express aircraft. The airline has decided to embrace a new era of luxury gourmet dining, both on international and domestic routes, while keeping the prices affordable. Passengers can now indulge in a delightful culinary experience, savoring an exquisite selection of dishes that elevate the onboard dining to new heights. The era of the free snack box has now become a thing of the past, making way for a more refined and satisfying gastronomic journey.
Following the integration of two low-cost subsidiary airlines, Air India Express and AirAsia India, a seamless in-flight experience awaits passengers, complete with a harmonized and diverse menu selection. The airline now proudly presents an extensive range of culinary choices to cater to various dietary preferences and requirements. Passengers can indulge in a plethora of options, including vegetarian, pescetarian, poultry, eggetarian, vegan, Jain, as well as healthy and diabetic-friendly meals. This thoughtful approach ensures that every passenger can enjoy a satisfying and personalized dining experience while soaring through the skies.
According to an airline source, Air India Express has unveiled its latest in-flight offering called ‘Gourmair.’ This new dining experience aims to encapsulate the rich and diverse culinary traditions of different regions across the country. The airline has taken a step forward in enhancing the in-flight experience, acknowledging that the previous snack box fell short in terms of appeal. ‘Gourmair’ presents a variety of exquisite dishes that are designed to tantalize the taste buds of passengers, all while remaining affordable for budget travelers. This upgrade not only ensures an enjoyable dining experience but also showcases the vibrant flavors and cultural heritage of the regions, providing a memorable journey for passengers without straining their wallets.
Gourmair is curated by the acclaimed celebrity master chef, Kirti Bhoutika, known for her impressive victory on MasterChef India Season 5. This exquisite dining offering proudly showcases a delightful fusion of MasterChef specials, delectable light bites, innovative desserts, and a tantalizing selection of global and regional favorites, designed to tantalize the taste buds of our esteemed passengers. From traditional delicacies like idlis, medu vada, and upma to enticing creations such as masala omelette with chicken sausages and hash brownies, or the MasterChef’s special vegan moilee curry with coconut rice, each dish is served piping hot at high altitudes, ensuring an extraordinary dining experience throughout your journey with us.
The airline has partnered with flight kitchens such as TajSATS, Casino, and Lulu in 16 cities across India, including Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Mangaluru, Chennai, Trichy, Goa, Amritsar, as well as overseas locations like Dubai, Sharjah, and Singapore. These flight kitchens will prepare meals based on orders and deliver them to the respective airports. Passengers have the option to pre-book their in-flight meals up to 24 hours before departure for international flights and up to 12 hours before departure for domestic flights.
According to an airline source, the in-flight menu stands out due to its affordable pricing, with a range of dishes priced between INR 300 and INR 600.
However, the removal of free snack boxes from Air India Express flights has sparked discontent among a specific group of passengers, who consider it to be a consequence of the airline’s privatization.