Business Class Catering Mess Up Compensation- Help?!

[jackthomas]

I've just completed a quick AKL-MEL hop in business on Air NZ and as a vegetarian, was served an omelette with a nice big chicken filling... Only to be discovered half way through (resulting in a very ill end of the flight)
There were 2 other Pax in the business cabin with the same issue, as the meals were all labelled vegetarian by catering.
Crew were all very apologetic although obviously there was no other food on board we could have, and I received two $10 Air NZ vouchers in compensation...
I've never really had anything like this before so not sure whether its worth chasing any compensation. I don't expect anything huge or significant however $20 seems pretty dismal..

I was on a works deluxe fare with a successful one up bid upgrade, as a Gold Airpoints member.

 

[Pushka]

I've just completed a quick AKL-MEL hop in business on Air NZ and as a vegetarian, was served an omelette with a nice big chicken filling... Only to be discovered half way through (resulting in a very ill end of the flight)
There were 2 other Pax in the business cabin with the same issue, as the meals were all labelled vegetarian by catering.
Crew were all very apologetic although obviously there was no other food on board we could have, and I received two $10 Air NZ vouchers in compensation...
I've never really had anything like this before so not sure whether its worth chasing any compensation. I don't expect anything huge or significant however $20 seems pretty dismal..

I was on a works deluxe fare with a successful one up bid upgrade, as a Gold Airpoints member.

JessT will be onto this in a flash.

Are you allergic to animal protein if it made you ill? Or was it the thought that you had eaten animal products?

 

[under the radar]

if there is NO MEDICAL/LIFE THREATHENING reason....then I have NO sympathy for you...im sure you didn't starve to death!!! GET OVER IT

 

[Captain hum]

if there is NO MEDICAL/LIFE THREATHENING reason....then I have NO sympathy for you...im sure you didn't starve to death!!! GET OVER IT

Wow. I bet you don't work in customer service eh? Air NZ did not know that this stuff up was not going to be life threatening. It is an appalling error to make.

 

[get me outta here]

A bit overly sensitive about vegos are we? Did one bite you as a kid?

if there is NO MEDICAL/LIFE THREATHENING reason....then I have NO sympathy for you...im sure you didn't starve to death!!! GET OVER IT

 

[opusman]

Sure it wasn't tofu?

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, you may be right there as on a plane there is little difference btw the texture of tofu and chook!

Sure it wasn't tofu?

 

[RooFlyer]

My advice would be: If your illness was due to some reaction to the proteins AND it was more than feeling a bit queasy, then yes, seek compensation, go hard and direct (hopefully with some evidence as back-up, either of the nature of the filling, or names etc of cabin crew).

However if because you were revolted/disgusted at the thought (not downplaying the reaction, just searching for words) then I would suggest you not bother. Not because its not warranted (large organisations only tend to 'learn' if it involves some pain) but because I think the hassle would be out of proportion and you may be disappointed at the end.

 

[RooFlyer]

if there is NO MEDICAL/LIFE THREATHENING reason....then I have NO sympathy for you...im sure you didn't starve to death!!! GET OVER IT

"Hey, on my airline we'll serve you mouldy bread and offal - it won't kill you, so sit down and shuddup."

 

[get me outta here]

I think this has been dealt with before on here, or something similar. If you had been advised that the vego meal had no been loaded, and you therefore had to go hungry and not get what you'd paid for and ordered, compensation worth following up would have probably been granted. Somehow, the fact you you had something that you definitely didn't want is an interesting conundrum.

Eg, if someone had served me (vegos avert your eyes), offal or brains or some such and I had a high expectation that it was not that stuff, I may have been sick on the spot, especially if I was a vego.

Let us know what you decide to do and how it works out.

 

[jackthomas]

A few clarifications,
1. I am not medically allergic to animal flesh no, however after having not eaten it for 15 years, my body has a real trouble digesting it due to the upset of balance, resulting in getting quite sick, but I'll save the graphic details. I am in no way precious about this, mistakes happen and I can handle the mere 'thought' of having meat, my digestive system however could not.
2. As I said, all the 3 vegetarians on board noticed pretty much around the same time, which led the flight service manager to inspect all of our meals and did confirm it was in fact chicken. He said photographs were taken to send to catering to demand an explanation. The vegetarian lunch option on these flights in the other direction (MEL-AKL) is a tofu dish and you can definitely tell the difference.
3. Under The Radar, Frankly I'm not all that concerned that you feel no sympathy for me. Airlines offer the choice to request a special meal and as a paying passenger I deserve the right to use this service. I am sure you would have no problem complaining if your meal were improperly prepared to the point it could cause illness, or your J seat wasn't moving down a lay flat. Not so life threatening either ay?
4. Considering the 'vegetarian' meals loaded were definitely not so, crew had no idea. The labelling mistake that obviously occurred in the catering department could have been more serious. If something so simple as every single vegetarian meal getting mislabelled (not a one off), how about those with actual life threatening allergies or intolerance?

I'm not unreasonable, I'm not emailing Air NZ and requesting a significant compensation, refunds etc. I am not in fact asking for anything, however as a paying pax who was delivered something that was not properly labelled and therefore not what it was claimed to be, is concerning and the head office should make a point of addressing it.

 

[Pushka]

The labelling issue is relevant where people are highly allergic to certain items. On the other hand if I was highly allergic (anaphylaxis reaction) then I would probably bring my own food.
It isn't good to eat something that you have made the decision not to eat. I am pretty sure it will be addressed but not sure if any more compensation is required. I dislike most airline food and a meal I was served on SQ J made me feel ill and smelt dreadful.

 

[UP4014]

First, the meal was labelled incorrectly, airline catering company needs a swift kick in the behind and this issue should be raised with the airline.
Second, $10 for a business class meal compensation is lousy, but it is Air NZ so I would expect no more.
Third, once I had to endure a veg meal which I thought was horrible, where was my beef. No compo offered.


Matt

 

[RooFlyer]

A few clarifications,
1. I am not medically allergic to animal flesh no, however after having not eaten it for 15 years, my body has a real trouble digesting it due to the upset of balance, resulting in getting quite sick, but I'll save the graphic details. I am in no way precious about this, mistakes happen and I can handle the mere 'thought' of having meat, my digestive system however could not.
2. As I said, all the 3 vegetarians on board noticed pretty much around the same time, which led the flight service manager to inspect all of our meals and did confirm it was in fact chicken. He said photographs were taken to send to catering to demand an explanation. The vegetarian lunch option on these flights in the other direction (MEL-AKL) is a tofu dish and you can definitely tell the difference.
3. Get Outta here, Frankly I'm not all that concerned that you feel no sympathy for me. Airlines offer the choice to request a special meal and as a paying passenger I deserve the right to use this service. I am sure you would have no problem complaining if your meal were improperly prepared to the point it could cause illness, or your J seat wasn't moving down a lay flat. Not so life threatening either ay?
4. Considering the 'vegetarian' meals loaded were definitely not so, crew had no idea. The labelling mistake that obviously occurred in the catering department could have been more serious. If something so simple as every single vegetarian meal getting mislabelled (not a one off), how about those with actual life threatening allergies or intolerance?

I'm not unreasonable, I'm not emailing Air NZ and requesting a significant compensation, refunds etc. I am not in fact asking for anything, however as a paying pax who was delivered something that was not properly labelled and therefore not what it was claimed to be, is concerning and the head office should make a point of addressing it.

Under those circumstances, go for compo, if you have the time - the airline meal unequivocally made you sick (physically by the sound of it) and the crew did the right thing in IDing the issue. I'd ask for a 'token' $100 to make sure the airline 'feels' it. Its much more serious than, say, 'no vegetarian meal loaded' - mis-labelling at catering of a batch (at least) should be a big deal for the airline.

I believe there's a mis-ID in your post of another Member here.

 

[get me outta here]

Sorry, I thought I had intimated that I had every sympathy for you. I'd better make myself clearer in future.

Edit, it's OK OP sorted the mix up privately. I suggested that JT go ahead, and now I note DrRalph's offer below. Go for it JT!

A few clarifications,

3. Get Outta here, Frankly I'm not all that concerned that you feel no sympathy for me. Airlines offer the choice to request a special meal and as a paying passenger I deserve the right to use this service. I am sure you would have no problem complaining if your meal were improperly prepared to the point it could cause illness, or your J seat wasn't moving down a lay flat. Not so life threatening either ay?
.

 

[Dr Ralph]

If you need a lawyer PM me

 

[clazman]

3 Vegetarians in J ... would that not be unique

 

[Captain hum]

3 Vegetarians in J ... would that not be unique

More and more folks are choosing not to eat meat. We are not the small minority that we used to be ....

 

[clazman]

I must live in a sheltered world, don't know any vegetarians, vegans....

Always thought a vegetarian was a poor hunter gatherer

 

[jackthomas]

3 Vegetarians in J ... would that not be unique

I was surprised also! Definitely used to being the only one.