In an effort to keep up with evolving consumer preferences, United Airlines recently announced that it's focusing on plant-based menu items in 2020. The new vegan options were created by chef Gerry Gulli and include "red beet hummus with roasted vegetables; roasted curry cauliflower with whipped hummus and pomegranate; and vegan stuffed grape leaf with dolma-infused yogurt."
While the brand originally only served frozen meals in 1985, it has since expanded to create high-quality dishes that consumers can get excited about. The scope of this project is large and will have quite an impact on the environment. According to a recent report, United Airlines distributes over 55 million meals a year while managing more than 2,500 catering employees and has since expanded to add an additional 6,000 catering partners.
Image Credit: United Airlines, Shutterstock
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Plant-based Airline Menus
- The trend toward plant-based diets is creating opportunities for airlines to offer vegan options and diversify their menu offerings.
- Sustainability in the Airline Food Industry
- Sustainability initiatives in the airline food industry, such as reducing food waste and sourcing locally grown produce, allow for innovation and differentiation among airlines.
- Vegan Cuisine in Travel and Hospitality
- The growing demand for plant-based diets is creating opportunities for innovation in vegan cuisine in the travel and hospitality industry.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Airlines
- Airlines can incorporate plant-based menu items and sustainability initiatives to create differentiated offerings and appeal to evolving consumer preferences.
- Food Service Providers
- Food service providers can develop new vegan options and explore sustainability initiatives to meet the demand for plant-based diets in the airline food industry.
- Hospitality and Travel
- Hospitality and travel providers can innovate in vegan cuisine and sustainability initiatives in response to growing consumer demand for plant-based options.
