The travel service Tutu.ru analyzed about 27,500 reviews posted on the site (from April 2018 to April 2019), which passengers left after their flights, and compiled a top 10 Russian airlines with the most delicious on-board food.
It's worth noting that only users who purchased tickets through Tutu.ru and had already flown the route shared their impressions.
As the company told the TRN portal, it tops the top ten “most delicious” air carriers for the second year in a row. S7 Airlines, came in second place "Aurora". And rounding out the TOP-3 Red Wings, overtaking Aeroflot.
Airlines with fewer than 30 food-related reviews were not included in the rating. from 9 to 10 points not a single airline received it, from 8 to 9 points - 4 airlines, from 7 to 8 points - 4 airlines, from 6 to 7 points — 2 airlines. Below 6 points Not a single airline included in the rating received it.
"The rating only included those airlines that provide meals on board, which is why, for example, Pobeda Airlines is not on the list. Incidentally, Pobeda Airlines passengers are among the most patient. They're used to not being fed during flights and rarely complain. The lack of food only causes outrage if the ticket price was high. Some requests include the option to purchase snacks on board," Tutu.ru noted.
The main conclusions that analysts made after studying the reviews:
Passengers are almost always happy to receive free meals. On short flights, food is seen as a bonus and a sign of care, while on flights longer than three hours, it's a necessity and an inalienable right.
There's a small percentage of people who don't eat on planes and have a negative attitude toward in-flight meals. These passengers are happy about the lack of food, explaining that it allows them to sleep peacefully and avoid annoying sounds and smells.
— Passengers are always upset by the lack of food when the ticket price is high, especially if the passenger or their friends have flown on the same route on another airline for less or for the same price, but with meals.
What has changed compared to last year?
Last year, there were significantly more angry reviews about the lack of food. Now, passengers have accepted that in-flight meals aren't always available. People have become more attentive to flight conditions. Airlines that bucked the trend and continued to offer meals have gained increased passenger loyalty. Experts believe it was thanks to this menu overhaul that Red Wings Airlines rose from fourth to third place in the rankings.
No. 1. S7 Airlines. The airline offers meals on flights of all lengths, earning high ratings for this. Passengers generally enjoy the sandwiches served on flights under three hours. The only negative reviews the sandwiches receive are from vegetarians and those who don't eat bread or mayonnaise.
On flights longer than three hours, passengers are provided with hot meals. The portions are generally described as ample and the food tasty, with a few complaints about the fish dishes. Apparently, they don't always succeed. Some complain about the inability to replace standard meals with vegan ones—they have to order additional meals.
No. 2. "Aurora". On flights up to three hours long, soft drinks are offered, and on flights longer than three hours, a hot meal is provided. Passengers are pleased to see the meal provided and are surprised by how tasty it is. However, there are complaints about the limited food selection. While the choice is between chicken and fish, the chicken quickly runs out. As a result, half of the passengers are forced to settle for fish or go hungry.
No. 3. Red Wings Airlines. On flights up to three hours, cold appetizers and drinks are provided. For flights over three hours, hot meals are served. The menu varies by destination. The airline provides meals regardless of the flight length. This is surprising and appreciated. Passengers rate the portion sizes and quality of the food highly. Some passengers suggest avoiding the chicken if there's an alternative. They also complain about the limited meal selection: on some routes, there's a choice of two hot dishes, while on others, there's only one dish, with no choice. Passengers are dissatisfied with the beverage selection and request juices be included in the menu.
No. 4. Aeroflot. For flights lasting up to 3 hours, passengers are offered light snacks and drinks; for flights over 3 hours, a hot meal, snacks, and drinks; for flights over 6 hours, two hot meals, snacks, and drinks. Aeroflot's menu varies depending on the destination, time, and flight duration. Passengers praise the hot meals on flights longer than 3 hours, and particularly appreciate the breakfasts. There are frequent reports of one of the alternative dishes running out halfway through the cabin. Not everyone is satisfied with the cold appetizers, with passengers noting that the freshness and quality of the baked goods are not always up to par, depending on the destination. Furthermore, cold appetizers, including baked goods, are often too cold.
Expectations for Aeroflot flights are very high—passengers expect hot meals on flights of any length, so getting only baked goods can be disappointing, even if the quality of the sandwich, croissant, sandwich, or ciabatta was good. Regardless of the destination and flight duration, passengers praise the excellent coffee.
No. 5. "Yamal". The menu varies by route. Depending on the destination, soft drinks, snacks, or hot meals are offered. Frequent passengers of the airline are not always clear on the meal plan. For example, on the Tyumen-Novy Urengoy (1 hour 25 minutes) and Yekaterinburg-Salekhard (2 hours) flights, snacks are offered, while on the St. Petersburg-Tyumen (3 hours) flight, only drinks are served. On flights where hot meals are provided, passengers are satisfied with the quality, quantity, and selection of food. There are occasional complaints about the quality of cold appetizers.
No. 6. "Russia". If the flight lasts less than 1 hour, passengers are served soft drinks. If it lasts 1–2.5 hours, passengers are served pastries. If it lasts 2.5–4 hours, passengers are served a sandwich. If it lasts 4–6 hours, passengers are served a hot meal. If it lasts 6–8 hours, passengers are served a hot meal and a sandwich. If it lasts more than 8 hours, passengers are served two hot meals.
Rossiya Airlines changed its in-flight meal plan in February, which resulted in improved reviews. Passengers appreciate the hot meals served on flights longer than four hours. They note that more vegetables would be nice. They are often dissatisfied with the pastries on flights longer than two hours. They write that the two sweet cookies with unclear ingredients could be replaced with sandwiches. These cookies are generally well received on flights lasting 1.5 to 2 hours.
Passengers generally like the sandwiches, but some note that they're a bit dry. Many complain that the sandwiches are cold. On flights lasting 3-4 hours, there are already complaints about the sandwiches. Passengers are used to the fact that flights longer than 3 hours require a hot meal, and sandwiches are not enough. Passengers are satisfied with the beverage selection.
No. 7. Ural Airlines. Depending on the destination and arrival airport, soft drinks, snacks, or hot meals are offered. Meal plans on flights are unclear. Passengers report that, a couple of weeks apart, on the same route, one flight offered meals but the other did not. This is confusing. Passengers rate the food itself positively, but rate the quality as "edible" at best. They are dissatisfied with the lack of alternatives; even with hot meals available, there is no choice.
The biggest complaint is the lack of food and drinks on flights longer than 3 hours – water alone is clearly not enough.
No. 8. NordStar. Passengers are offered drinks on flights lasting up to three hours, snacks for flights between three and four hours, and hot meals for flights over four hours. Passengers praise the quantity and quality of hot meals on long flights. Not everyone appreciates the snacks offered on flights lasting three to four hours. The lack of meals on flights shorter than three hours has been a source of dissatisfaction. However, passengers are pleased to have a drink on shorter flights rather than being limited to water.
No. 9. Pegas Fly. Hot meals are provided on flights longer than 6 hours; on flights shorter than 6 hours, only water is available. Additional meals can be ordered in advance. The airline no longer provides complimentary meals on flights shorter than 6 hours. On longer flights, meals are provided only once. Meals can be ordered for an additional fee when purchasing a ticket or during online check-in (at least 11 hours before departure). Not everyone realizes that meals must be purchased separately, and that water is an unpleasant surprise during the flight.
No. 10. NordWind Airlines. Hot meals and drinks are provided on flights longer than 6 hours; on flights shorter than 6 hours, only water is provided. Additional meals can be ordered in advance. Complimentary meals are only provided on flights longer than 6 hours. Passengers on these flights, as well as those who ordered additional meals, report that the food is excellent quality and plentiful.
Not everyone orders extra meals. Some are embarrassed to eat when others are left without food. Some simply don't notice the option to order extra food. Passengers complain that when the airline refers to soft drinks, it means water—they have no choice.
Source: trn-news.ru