Wine And Dine Options Expand On Japan’s International Airlines

Japan’s major international airlines are offering more meal choices and revamped wine curations in a bid to secure more business.

The updated meal selections and wine lists, announced and rolled out by JAL and ANA in the third and fourth quarters of 2023, include options across airline classes.

JAL now offers “Paid Exclusive Meals’ ‘ available to pre-order for economy and premium economy seats on international routes from Europe, America, Australia and Southeast Asia, with the exception of some late-night flights.

In addition to appetisers, fresh fruit and Haagen-Dazs ice cream, travellers can choose a western-style meal with beef stew as the entree or a Japanese-style meal featuring grilled, butterflied eel.

The fee for a Paid Exclusive Meal, somewhat oddly, varies by region so if purchasing in Japan it is JPY3,000 (US$20.67) while it is US$30 to purchase in America and in most other regions, meaning the local currency will be determined by its U.S. Dollar equivalent.

Given the yen’s current weakness against the dollar, a Japanese-based purchaser ends up paying significantly less.

The meals must be ordered at least 25 hours ahead of the flight’s departure time.

ANA has also come up with a new meal of vegan curry available on select international first class and business class flights.

Created by the Tokyo Michelin star-rated restaurant Daigo, it is made of locally-sourced fruits and vegetables and also is free of flour.

As for wine, starting in December of 2023, ANA rolled out an updated list for international flights made up of 41 vintages from around the world, including some Japanese selections.

This is ANA’s first major adjustment to its wine selection since December of 2019, right as Covid began to disrupt global travel.

The new meal and wine efforts come at a time of resurgence for the Japanese tourism industry as travellers take advantage of the weak yen and local municipalities access incentives from the national government in accordance with its goal of increasing inbound tourism to 60 million persons annually by 2030.

Sources:
JAL – 27 November 2023
ANA – 16 August 2023
ANA – 1 September 2023

Images:
JAL
ANA

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