Air Transat a no fly-zone for special dietary requests

TORONTO— A popular airline says it has stopped offering meal accommodations for the majority of travellers who require special diets for health or religious reasons.

Air Transat says passengers flying economy class on transatlantic flights are required to choose from a selection of hot sandwiches which cannot be adapted to address allergies or other restrictions.

The airline says its EuroBistro menu includes an option for vegetarians and says it can accommodate requests for kosher meals, but says it cannot provide choices suitable for conditions such as gluten-intolerance or meals that conform with other religious traditions.

Air Transat says those wishing to request a special meal may either upgrade to club class or bring their own food on board the flight.

The situation is similar for passengers on U.S. or Caribbean flights, who can purchase meals from the company’s menu but are also unable to request most special meal accommodations.

According to Air Transat, the menu changes came in response to customer satisfaction surveys that found passengers were seeking more variety in the company’s meal offerings.

The new policy does not fly with passengers with dietary needs, who say they’re inclined to take their business elsewhere despite Air Transat’s competitive rates.

Air Canada’s list of alternative meal types features 17 entries including meals classified as suitable for travellers who are diabetic, gluten-intolerant, Hindu, Muslim, low-calorie and vegetarian.