Kosher airline meal

A kosher airline meal is an airline meal that conforms to the standards of kashrut. Many airlines offer the option of kosher meals to passengers if ordered in advance. These not only contain food that is kosher, but also other features to aid observant Jews, such as copies of Tefilat HaDerech (the Traveler's Prayer) and prayers that are recited before and after eating and bread on which the mezonot blessing is recited, thereby enabling observant Jews to consume the bread without washing hands.

El Al in-flight meal

"Kosher" is one of several options for special meals offered to air travelers.[1] Similarly styled meals that are packaged in double wrapping with verifiable kashrut certification are offered in a variety of other settings, such as cruise ships, hospitals, or catered events.[2] The double wrapping allows for the meals to be heated in a non-kosher oven.[3]

On airlines, kosher meals are the most commonly requested special meal.[4] Kosher meals have become popular even among non-Jewish passengers who perceive kosher foods to be cleaner and healthier. As they cost approximately twice as much as standard meals, airlines may charge more for them.[5]

History
Turkish Airlines kosher airline meal with typical mezonot bread

Kosher airline meals started appearing as an option in the 1960s for Orthodox Jewish travelers.[6]

Issues

Cost
A kosher airline meal offered on a Cathay Pacific flight

Kosher meals cost the airline nearly twice as much as standard meals, even as they are offered at no additional cost to the traveler.[5] Smithsonian Magazine has reported that kosher airline meals are the most expensive type of airline meal served.[7]

Kashrut issues

Sometimes, dairy and meat foods are mixed by airline employees unaware of the kashrut guideline prohibiting such mixtures, or dairy is served too soon after a meat meal.[8]

On Passover, meals containing chametz (bread which has leavened beyond 18 minutes) are sometimes served by mistake.[3]

See also

References
  1. Apisdorf, Shimon (2005). Kosher for the clueless but curious. Leviathan Press. p. 41. ISBN 1881927318.
  2. Blech, Zushe Yosef (2009). Kosher Food Production. Wiley. pp. 182, 213. ISBN 978-08138-2093-4.
  3. Eidlitz, Eliezer (2004) [1992]. Is it kosher: encyclopedia of kosher foods : facts & fallacies (5th ed.). Jerusalem/New York: Feldeheim Publishers. p. 169. ISBN 1-58330-616-1.
  4. Engel, Margaret (November 30, 1986). "Airline meals are fewer and colder, but are they getting better?". Gainesville Sun. Washington Post News Service. p. 40.
  5. Dallos, Robert E. (January 12, 1974). "Everything Kosher Up and Above; Jewish Fare A Favorite On Airlines". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 23.
  6. Diamond, Etan (2000). And I will dwell in their midst: Orthodox Jews in suburbia. University of North Carolina Press. p. 139. ISBN 978-08078-4889-0.
  7. Air & Space Smithsonian. Air & Space/Smithsonian. 3. Smithsonian Institution. 1988. p. 49.
  8. Epstein, Donneal (2000). Halachos for the Traveler. Jerusalem/New York: Feldeheim Publishers. ISBN 1-58330-439-8.
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