EASYJET and TUI passengers have both been warned that they could be left without food and drinks on upcoming flights, due to staff strikes.
Airline catering staff are among a number of service workers to have called for walkouts, that have announced today by Unite.
RexTUI and easyJet are going to be affected by the strikes which will start this month[/caption]
Getty – ContributorUnite the Union has warned that passengers will be left without food or drink[/caption]
The union has said that no food or drink will be available on any easyJet flight leaving Gatwick airport during strikes by catering contractors over pay.
The strikes by Dnata catering staff will also impact other airlines including TUI.
Around 100 workers, including HGV drivers and warehouse workers, will take part in the strikes, which will cover 12 days in total.
They will take place from Friday, April 26 to Monday, April 29, from Friday, May 3 to Monday, May 6 and from Friday, May 10 to Monday, May 13.
Unite has warned that strike action “will intensify if the dispute is not resolved”.
Dnata caters for all easyJet flights from Gatwick, with the airline having 200 flights a day during busy periods, meaning there will be no food or drink available on any of the airline’s flights from the airport between those dates.
The lack of food and drink will affect easyJet’s revenue as the sale of snacks and beverages on flights is a major income generator.
The strikes are taking place following a dispute over the company’s unilateral removal of a shift allowance for all staff last April.
Unite claims that the move has led to all Dnata’s workers receiving a pay cut of between £1,500 and £2,000, per worker.
Sun Online Travel has contacted both easyJet and TUI for comment.
Unite regional officer Dominic Rothwell said: “Dnata’s behaviour has been atrocious.
“It beggars belief that the company thought it could take its workers for fools and deal with them in such an underhand manner.
“It has pushed the workforce into taking strike action and is responsible for the inconvenience it will cause to easyJet and TUI passengers.
“Dnata needs to rapidly return to talks with Unite and put forward a settlement that is acceptable to our members.”
Airlines with the best plane food
Korean Air
Korean Air won best airline cuisine in last year’s Global Traveler’s awards.
Some of their popular dishes onboard include bibimbap, a Korean rice dish, and ssambap, Korean rice lettuce rolls.
It also made the top 10 for airlines with the best plane food in CN Travelers 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Japan Airlines
Coming in first place in the Reader’s Choice Awards was Japan Airlines.
The airline has partnered with six Michelin-star chefs, each of whom have three stars – so you can expect it to be good.
Passengers can choose bento boxes and miso soups onboard.
Singapore Airlines
Often voted one of the best airlines in the world, it is no surprising Singapore Airlines is said to have some of the best plane food.
Chef Dennis Littley said: “Their gourmet meals rival those of ground-based restaurants.”
Dishes include congee, a rice porridge, as well as Singaporean rice and curry options.
Sun Online Travel has also contacted Dnata for comment.
For any passengers worried about going hungry on planes, flight attendants advise that they bring their own snacks with them – especially if they have allergies or dietary requirements.
Sun Online Travel’s resident flight attendant said: “If you’re worried that we can’t cater for you well, please bring some snacks with you.
“We only have finite resources and if you think we’re not going to have something to suit your needs, you’re probably right.
“You’re more than welcome to bring food on board the plane, so I would always suggest that as an option for passengers who are worried about getting some good food during their flight.
“We have a lot of people who bring pot noodles on and that’s great, we’re more than happy to fill it up with hot water for you.
“We’d just hate for you to go hungry, so please bring whatever you need on with you to make sure you’re going to at least get a good snack.”
Meanwhile, staff problems could also cause delays and cancellations at airports this summer.
And this is how you can guarantee getting a good meal on a plane.
Refer to Source – AlamyEasyJet will not be able to serve food or drinks during the walkouts[/caption]“}]]