Lufthansa mistakenly served non-veg food
Mar 19, 2013, 1:35 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SFO, CA
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 15
Lufthansa mistakenly served non-veg food
In Mid January I travelled from Lufthansa to Delhi on a United Award ticket in Business Class. After asking the flight attendant for Vegetarian meal she mistakenly handed me over the non veg box and I figured out it was non-veg when I *tried* to eat a piece of meat.
I am a hindu vegetarian who never had meat. It is a big deal for me.
The flight attendant who served me was very apologetic and I think false cried infront of me too so, I didn’t create a scene thinking that what can be done now. But recently I got to know that in India, airlines had to compensate passengers for almost around $1000 equivalent for mistakenly serving non-veg food.
I have written to both United and Lufthansa today, not really sure what are my options since I do not have any proof of that incident.
Has anyone of you faced the same situation? If yes, please share your experiences.
I am a hindu vegetarian who never had meat. It is a big deal for me.
The flight attendant who served me was very apologetic and I think false cried infront of me too so, I didn’t create a scene thinking that what can be done now. But recently I got to know that in India, airlines had to compensate passengers for almost around $1000 equivalent for mistakenly serving non-veg food.
I have written to both United and Lufthansa today, not really sure what are my options since I do not have any proof of that incident.
Has anyone of you faced the same situation? If yes, please share your experiences.
Last edited by nidsdel; Mar 19, 2013 at 8:45 pm
Mar 19, 2013, 6:39 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ZRH
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The flight attendant who served me was very apologetic and I think false cried infront of me too so, I didn’t create a scene thinking that what can be done now.
But recently I got to know that in India, airlines had to compensate passengers for almost around $1000 equivalent for mistakenly serving non-veg food.
I have written to both United and Lufthansa today, not really sure what are my options since I do not have any proof of that event.
I have written to both United and Lufthansa today, not really sure what are my options since I do not have any proof of that event.
What do you expect? No one was injured, I don't see why you would even think about complaining at LH for this. Let alone asking for monetary compensation 
.
Mar 19, 2013, 6:43 am
#5
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
People are well, human and it sounds as though you handled the situation just fine, have suffered no harm and that LH did exactly which it ought to have done: apologize on the spot.
It hasn't bothered you for two months. What's bothering you now?
It hasn't bothered you for two months. What's bothering you now?
Mar 19, 2013, 7:04 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS-TLV
Programs: Lots of them, no status
Posts: 1,318
Mistakes happen.
Although airline meals certainly do sometimes have that mystery meat je-ne-sais-quoi, the fact that they are actually MEAT is generally identifiable. Did you look at the meal?
I understand that this is a big deal for you. I can think of other religions and cultures for whom similar issues would be really problematic on a personal level, too. However, it's not as though you are anaphylactic to food X and were served it, thus putting your life at risk.
Although airline meals certainly do sometimes have that mystery meat je-ne-sais-quoi, the fact that they are actually MEAT is generally identifiable. Did you look at the meal?
I understand that this is a big deal for you. I can think of other religions and cultures for whom similar issues would be really problematic on a personal level, too. However, it's not as though you are anaphylactic to food X and were served it, thus putting your life at risk.
Mar 19, 2013, 7:10 am
#9
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,164
SPMLs have clear markings on them and a AVML on indian flight is clearly identifiable as such. My son is allergic to egg and treenuts so it requires a freetext SPML request, and even then ex FRA we had a meal with a pouch of Heinz mayonaise on the tray. We of course noticed instantly and put it aside. The crew noticed it later (when clearing the tray) and wrote up a report. An anaphylactic shock at 35000ft would have been interesting, thank god we were alert.
Mar 19, 2013, 9:48 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2004
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How does the OP know that it was meat when they have never tasted or seen it???
And if the OP has seen it before .. why did they eat it then? That is like accusing the airline of cannibalism when you start eating when the FA still has her hands on the the tray.
To rectify the original sin the OP has to ask their deity for forgiveness, not LH for compensation.
And if the OP has seen it before .. why did they eat it then? That is like accusing the airline of cannibalism when you start eating when the FA still has her hands on the the tray.
To rectify the original sin the OP has to ask their deity for forgiveness, not LH for compensation.
Mar 19, 2013, 10:23 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 206
I don't read anything about a SPML the OP has ordered. It sounds like he just asked for the regular vegetarian choice on his flight. Not handing over an ordered special meal is something where a complaint may be justified - this case here is not.
Mar 19, 2013, 11:15 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,120
The OP doesn't state he wants $1000 so let's not assume that.
Writing the letter is good - LH should train staff on avoiding this mistake on certain routes (including any to India) where these options are offered as a matter of course - and no special meal needs to be ordered (all airlines I know offer Indian veg meals on flights to India).
On the other hand - while it may cause personal distress - the religious implication would be very limited. So writing the letter and avoiding a recurrence is enough and the OP should move on.
Writing the letter is good - LH should train staff on avoiding this mistake on certain routes (including any to India) where these options are offered as a matter of course - and no special meal needs to be ordered (all airlines I know offer Indian veg meals on flights to India).
On the other hand - while it may cause personal distress - the religious implication would be very limited. So writing the letter and avoiding a recurrence is enough and the OP should move on.
Mar 19, 2013, 8:18 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: UA GS, AA ExP
Posts: 124
^ Way to go. This is a human mistake, no? This can happen! And as you said, you didn't eat the meat, so where's the problem? And even if you ate that meat accidently, I cannot understand why this would be such a big deal and give someone the right to be compensated with $1,0000.
What do you expect? No one was injured, I don't see why you would even think about complaining at LH for this. Let alone asking for monetary compensation .