Air New Zealand becomes first airline to offer passengers vegan burger on its menu
Get Weekly Travel updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe See our privacy notice Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
Air New Zealand has become the first airline in the world to offer its passengers a vegan burger as part of its in-flight menu.
The airline will be serving up the award-winning, plant-based Impossible Burger on its flights - but not everyone will get to tuck in.
That's because initially the burger is only being rolled out on the airline's Los Angeles to Auckland routes - and even then, only as part of the Business Premier menu until late October.
Still, it marks a step in the right direction, especially for vegans who know the struggle of trying to find plane food that works for your dietary requirements.
(Not to mention you won't need to contact the airline in advance for a special meal).
The new Impossible Burger is made from an iron-containing molecule called heme, from the roots of soy plants.
(Image: Moment RF)
It's the same heme found in animal meat, meaning the burger itself will cook, smell and taste like beef - but it will contain no animal products whatsoever.
Air New Zealand’s Inflight Customer Experience Manager Niki Chave explained that they'd been following the work of Impossible Foods for a while so a collaboration was a natural fit.
She said: "Like Impossible Foods, we are committed to offering our customers a fresh and innovative approach to cuisine.
"We’re incredibly excited about this partnership and the opportunity to offer our Business Premier customers travelling from Los Angeles to Auckland a delicious plant-based option that tastes just like the real deal.
(Image: AFP)
"We’re confident vegetarians, flexitarians and dedicated meat lovers alike will enjoy the delicious taste of the Impossible Burger, but for those who want to stay with the tried and true it will sit alongside our regular selection of menu items prepared by our talented culinary team and consultant chefs."
Impossible Foods CEO and Founder Dr. Patrick O. Brown added: "We launched with high-credibility, innovative chefs known for their delicious burgers, so it’s no coincidence our first airline partner has been named Airline of the Year for five straight years.
"The Impossible Burger is available in nearly 2,500 restaurants throughout the United States and now Air New Zealand will help us take the Impossible Burger to even greater heights.”