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Airline food and diabetic ignorance

devoncatt

Newbie
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4
Just flew a transatlantic flight on American airlines and of course they didn't have my special meal. I was offered their Pasta ( read very, very high carb)meal. instead. Then they were mystified why I rejected their cookie, bread role, brownie and croissant! Their excuse was the caterer hadn't delivered my meal, both times coming and going. There seems to be little or no training on what to do with diabetics ( type 2 or 1). Apparently they are equally unthinking on passengers and crew as well. They do not supply food for the staff on the flight who are told to eat leftovers.

If they had actually left us time at connections to get food it might have been better or at least less of a problem, but they didn't. I have never had that problem on BA, Virgin or any European Airline. Be prepared to bring your own food. I'm glad I packed some Almonds, seeds and a few dried Apricots. Being cooped up in a plane with no ( edible) food for 12 hours is not any fun, nor particularly healthy. Lesson learned ring up at least 24 hours in advance and verify they have booked your meal if flying on an American based carrier, or at least in my humble opinion fly a European carrier who actually understand vegetarian and diabetic.

Devoncatt
Diet Controlled
Last Hba1c 4.3
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devoncatt said:
Their excuse was the caterer hadn't delivered my meal, both times coming and going.

Was it Oscar Wilde who said that to lose one parent was unfortunate but to lose two was careless.

I fink they are avvin a larf.
 
I wouldn't trust any company to have the sort of meal I would eat, and I'd always have some kind of snack. However if you ask for a specific meal you expect to get it, even if their interpertation isn't quite the same as yours or mine. I would probably go for a normal roast still meal and just leave the potatos. If the only option was pasta based I would have to rely on my snacks.

If you ordered a meal due to say an egg intolerance you would expect that meal. I have an intolerance to sugar and carbs, so would expect some attempt at a special meal. What if you ordered a Halal meal and that wasn't provided for? Companys such as airlines offer certain options and therefore should provide them when they are requested.
 
I think if you pre-booked your meal then you have cause for complaint, try writing or emailing them outlining your concerns. I've never had any complaints about airline food but I'm not a type 2 which makes thing easier.
 
Cant really see why you couldnt find something to eat if you eat dried apricots which I believe have around 62g carbs per 100g....
 
A lot of diners and places in America have Low carb options on their menus as that seems to be a popular diet in some areas so it may be better to try and order low carb rather than diabetic since most companies follow the standard health guidelines of eat starchy carbs with every meal for diabetics.
Just a thought
Angie
 
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