This Airline Stops Instant Noodle Services When Turbulence Risks Increase

Illustration of In-flight meal service Korean Air. (Wikimedia Commons/Twitter/@simply_aviation)

JAKARTA - Korean Air airlines will stop serving instant noodles to their passengers starting this month, as the risk of turbulence increases.

The company said it would stop presenting the Shin Ramen Cup Noodles, the company's only instant noodle product, among meals for long-distance flights starting August 15.

Instead, the airline will present an alternative that is "safer".

It said the increase in turbulence was a consideration to stop the service, paying attention to unstable conditions had caused spills and disturbances as passengers ate spicy noodles or when cabin crew served them.

"Climate crisis has recently increased the frequency of turbulence. Compared to 2019, its frequency has more than doubled this year," a Korean Air official said.

"Some passengers suffered serious burns," he continued.

However, the decision only applies to economy class seats, as its concise design poses a risk of spills and bigger injuries, unlike the wider business class seat.

"You know how a passenger starts sipping noodles in the cabin and more people are immediately tempted to order the same thing," the official said.

"Then the cabin crew is busy preparing food and serving it, sometimes carrying several cups at once. When the plane experiences turbulence and turbulence at the same time, people can be injured. This is especially true considering the design of the cup which does not guarantee stability due to its small circular footing," he explained.

Instead of instant noodles, Korean Air plans to provide a safer alternative to microwave-heatable snacks such as pizza, corn dogs or hot pockets.

"We have not decided which company product will replace Shin Ramen," said the official.

"We will certainly monitor passenger feedback and, if necessary, change our menu items to reflect the majority trend," he said.