Delhi International Airport Limited(DIAL) released a
statement saying that Indira Gandhi International Airport will be better
equipped to tackle dense fog this winter.
According to DIAL officials the national capital is expected
to witness three to four spells of dense fog in the coming weeks.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the busiest
in the country, handles around 1,300 flight movements every day , which is around
74 flight movements every hour. But On account of fog, the airport capacity
reduces by around 40 % of the normal capacity in terms of flight movement per
hour.
To handle peak hour holiday traffic, DIAL has made sure that
there is sufficient food & beverage at all terminals, better system to display
updated flight information & other such facilities that the passengers and
airlines may require.
Also, IGIA is well equipped to handle aircraft operations
safely during the periods of poor visibility. For this, the low visibility
procedures (LVP) for handling air traffic during fog have been put into place
for all air traffic controllers.
Operations are closed if the runway visibility range drops
below 50 metres. However, There are 139 parking stands equipped with
aeronautical ground lighting (AGL) system which helps aircraft to operate in
CAT IIIB* conditions. In addition there are 89 parking stands available under manual
guidance.
Dense fog is expected in the last week of December and there
are likely to be three to four spells in the coming weeks, so plan your trip accordingly.
*CAT IIIB refers to flight operations when the runway
visibility range is 175 metres and not less than 50 metres.
With good inflight-food scarce or expensive, passengers have learned to bring their own snacks to keep away hunger during a flight.
But not everyone can pack homemade healthy snacks for their trip, and bank upon the greasy fast food burgers, oily pizza and heavy snacks like samosas or patties.
Put in a long layover or a flight delay in the mix and you’re surely tempted to go to the airport lounge and have a nice hearty meal with a tasty alcoholic beverage to go with it.
But the problem is that they are not very travel friendly
and cause some serious health problems when you fly.
So, before you board your next flight, avoid these foods and beverages to fly stress-free.
1.Fast Food
As we’ve mentioned before, burgers and pizza are easy options
to fill your stomach, but they’re definitely not viable when you’re travelling.
According to the medical studies, the body doesn’t do so
well digesting foods filled with sodium and saturated fats in the first place and
digestion at 35000 feet proves even more difficult.
So it’s common sense to avoid these worst offenders before
flying.
But beyond the digestion problems, there’s also the issue of in-flight blood circulation. Eating greasy food can cause an almost immediate restriction ofblood flow.
And because we’re inactive during a flight, the chances of
getting health related problems can increase.
Alternative: Plan ahead and pack a light sandwich or a wrap.
2.Crusifirous vegetables
“Always Eat Your Vegetables” is something we’ve always heard growing up , but it isn’t the best advice before a flight.
Things like onions, cauliflower, cabbage, beans and lentils are difficult to digest, which can lead to bloating, cramps and gas in a pressurised environment.
This is because these vegetables contain high-sodium foods which retain water, contributing to that bloated feeling.
Avoid consuming them before or during your flight.
Alternative: Munch on sliced capsicum, carrot, cucumber and snow peas.
3.Salty Snacks
Chips, pretzels, instant noodles etc at the airport can curb your hunger in a jiffy but they’re very high in salt content.
Excessive salt is bad for everyone, but it is worse for frequent flyers since foods with high amount of salt increase the chances of high blood pressure and retains fluid in your body making you feel bloated when you fly.
Alternative: Opt for protein-rich snacks like dry fruits to keep you full for longer. You can also eat a freshly prepared meal at one ofthe airport restaurants and request the chef to add less salt to your food.
4.Caffine
Coffee or tea? The answer is neither.
It is said that you loose 1/3rd of water from
your body when you’re flying and caffeine in itself causes dehydration.
Plus, even though you’ll be fresh for a while, but by the time your flight will land you’ll start feeling sluggish.
So, save your coffee fix for later since a fresh brew tastes far better on land.
Alternative: Herbal or Green Tea. Try peppermint to help digestion and ginger to eliminate motion sickness.
5.Carbonated Beverages
Sweetened fizzy drinks are a recipe for digestive disaster when on an airplane.
Since you’re sitting in one place it can cause gastro-intestinal problems leading to bloating up of your stomach.
Not the most comfortable feeling in the world!
Alternative: Fruits are a great source of vitamin C to boost your immune system and keep you hydrated. Oranges and watermelons can be easily found around the airport Or you can pack it yourself.
6.Chewing Gums
Gum seems like the best choice for an airplane since you’re not eating heavy, indigestible food.
While this might be true, chewing too much gum can actually wreak havoc on your system, causing bloating, gas, and Diarrhoea. 3 things you most definitely don’t want to battle while flying.
Artificial sweeteners in chewing gums can cause Diarrhoea and when you chew gum you swallow a lot of air, which causes gas and bloating.
Alternative: There aren’t many great alternatives but you
can chew on mint leaves or use mint sprays to keep your mouth fresh.
7.Alcohol
You’re not going to like this but the fewer alcoholic beverages you have, the better your body copes with the flight.
Alcohol is extremely dehydrating, and the low humidity and high pressure in the aeroplane cabin causes further loss of water.
And in case you do feel like having a beverage make sure that you drink lots of water.
Alternative: Have a fruit juice or lots of water. Make sure you keep your hydration up.
8. Meaty Salads
Do not eat the tuna salad, chicken salad etc available at the airport. No, they aren’t healthy! They contain lots of mayonnaise, cheese,and other fatty dressing.
These so-called salads are quite deceiving. They make you feel bloated and uncomfortable on the flight and don’t really help with that diet you have been following to stay fit.
Alternative: A vegetable or fruit salad.
Conclusion
Even though we’ve mentioned some alternatives, many must be wondering what exactly should we have before a flight.
Well, the answer is ‘Nothing’!
According to a study published in the journal “Science”, researchers suggested that fasting for about 16 hours before a long flight may actually help to fend off jet lag.
In a nutshell, if you make your body think it’s starving,you’ll be able to remain awake and alert until it’s dinner time in your new destination, resetting your body clock.
It really tough to follow this but if you want to fly comfortably it’s definitely doable.
* The next time you fly and want to know where to eat at the airport, download the AirWhizz app. It gives you information about airport restaurants and their location at your airport terminal. You also get great deals and discounts at the airport, live flight updates and a whole bunch of services for your trip.
Stuck with a long layover at the airport and a hungry tummy?
Figuring out what to eat is often a dreaded task for many air travellers. Between the salty fast food, stress and struggle to find a seat, airport dining isn’t typically known for its desirability.
Thankfully, airports around the world are changing this and adding more world-class restaurants to cater to all types of foodies and weary flyers.
To give you some idea about how far good airport dining has come, here are the top 10 airports in the world to satisfy the foodie in you while you travel
1.Hong Kong International Airport
The third busiest international airport in the world has some amazing food to offer to its guests!
Hong Kong International Airport has won many awards for giving travellers a dining experience that they never forget.
From “Caviar House & Prunier” to “Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao” the consistently positive dining reviews here speak for themselves.
And if you’re craving for some delicious dumplings/authentic street food and are on a budget, try Tian Xia Dumplings which is located in Terminal 2.
2.Singapore Changi International Airport
The world’s best airport offers a number of authentic and quality dining options to travellers from around the world.
The rows of street food stalls on your way to the boarding gate will surely stop you in your tracks by offering you authentic dishes like fish-head curry, spiced pork-rib soup and mutton noodles.
The best part about this airport is that it offers a variety of different cuisines which are delicious and not very expensive.
Do visit “Imperial Treasure” for some lip-smacking Cantonese food, which is located at the airport’s Terminal 3
3.Seoul-Incheon International Airport
This South Korean airport has a lot to offer to its travellers. Casinos, spas, a premier golf course, museum and of course, authentic food.
The airport has many options for foodies but it is particularly famous for ‘Bon Bibimbap’ which is located at Terminal 1 F.
Bibimbap is a warm Korean dish that mixes rice with mixed vegetables and seafood, beef or chicken which is pretty spicy but soul fulfilling.
A comforting bowl of bibimbap is the best way to prep for a long-haul international flight.
4.Tokyo Narita International Airport
Even though Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport is one of the more famous airports from Japan, Narita International Airport is known for its fantastic selection of Japanese food all around the world.
Yakitori, sushi, udon, tonkatsu, you name it! The high-quality dining experience at Narita makes it one of the best airports in the world for authentic food.
And the best part, it suit’s every travellers budget!
5.Taoyuan International Airport
This Taiwanese airport lacks in choice when it comes to food but, more than makes up for it with food quality and price.
Even if you’re here in transit, you’ll get to try a number of local Taiwanese dishes that are quick and delicious such as bubble tea and handmade noodles.
You should surely visit the “Chun Shui Tang” café which is famous for its Chinese and Taiwanese food.
6.Munich Airport
Like the country itself, Munich Airport is very famous for its in-house breweries and authentic Bavarian delicacies.
The only shortcoming for a foodie travelling through this airport is that restaurants offer food almost 40 % above the average rate. But if you have no budget restrictions then there shouldn’t be a problem.
Plus passengers are spoilt for choice for restaurants which offer high-quality food.
Visit “Airbräu”, a Bavarian restaurant that has a large indoor beer garden, live music, and its own on-site brewery. Enjoy a glass of their house-made beer alongside a selection of tasty Bavarian treats.
7.Hamad-Doha International Airport
Apart from an amazing shopping experience, Hamad Airport in Doha has a lot to offer when it comes to food.
You can find both gourmet and on-the-go bites at the airport.
Its food court has everything from Indian and Arabic cuisine, pasta/pizza to organic sandwiches on display for passengers to eat.
If you’re looking to indulge in some hearty Italian dishes visit celebrity chef, Massimo Capra’s restaurant, “Soprafino”.
8.Vienna International Airport
The city of Vienna is famous for its coffee houses and its airport is the perfect representation of this.
The airport has different cafes and restaurants that offer a wide selection of delicious tortes, cakes, strudels along with some coffee at an affordable rate.
These hand-made delicacies are the perfect pre-flight snack for those with a sweet tooth.
9.London Heathrow Airport
More than 75 million hungry travellers have passed through Heathrow’s gates, making it the second-most travelled international airport.
Its one of the most top rated airport in terms of food quality, thanks to restaurants owned by celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsey’s “Plane Food”.
“Wagamama” is also another crowd attractor which offers Asian comfort food like gyoza, soba, udon and ramen.
The only drawback of this airport is that even though the quality of food is top-notch at its restaurants, it is pretty expensive.
10.Amsterdam -Schiphol Airport
Schipol Airport has a bit of everything, from fine dining to more budgeted options, for different travellers.
Price and choice wise, food at the airport is very traveller friendly, however, when it comes to quality it’s not as good as London Heathrow or Singapore Changi.
Schiphol has “Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar”, the best airport bar in the world. It offers a wide selection of bubbly Champagne, plus dozens of other wines along with tasty and fresh seafood.
Want to Grab A Bite Before Your Flight? Simply download the AirWhizz App and get information about airport eateries & lounges along with real-time updates for your flight on the move. Fly Stress-Free!
In a bid to make refreshments affordable for air travellers, Airports Authority Of India(AAI) has ordered airports to sell snacks and beverages at Maximum Retail Price(MRP).
More than 90 government-run airports across the country will soon sell packaged drinking water at MRP along with snacks and tea at the lowest rate possible.
This decision by AAI has been taken after they received many complaints from passengers about the exorbitant prices charged for water and snacks at airport terminals.
In fact, in March 2018, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram had tweeted about the high prices of tea at the Chennai Airport which caused many MP’s to debate about this topic in the parliament.
AAI has asked airport authorities to sell water and snacks at MRP at separate counters. However, these rules are not applicable to some of India’s biggest airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi, as these airports are run by private companies.
According to an AAI official, the notice to start different counters was sent to airport authorities last month. The companies running the food courts have been asked to run a separate counter where they can sell selected items at affordable prices.
Today, air travel is not confined to the elite. With the success of the UDAN scheme and low budget airlines, air travel is accessible to people from all segments of the society. However, they have limited options when they have to pay a premium price for tea and snacks. These counters will surely bring them relief.
Airports in places like Pune and Shimla have already set up cheap food counters at their terminals but AAI is looking to make this a permanent norm at other airports across the country.
We all have had friends or heard people complain about airline food being bland and tasteless.
But who can blame them!
Meals served on airplanes are hardly gourmet, especially for people who fly economy class on international or long-distance flights.
If you feel the food that airlines serve is unappetising, you’d be surprised to know that it’s not really their fault and there are some logical reasons to back this.
But before we get into the real reasons why airplane food tastes different, let us look at how food was served on airplanes and how it changed.
The Evolution Of Airplane Food
In the early days of flying, airplanes took a long time to reach their destination, especially if it was an international flight.
Passengers didn’t have an inflight television to keep them occupied so they had no choice but to either read, sleep or eat. To entertain passengers, airlines started to copy the services on other modes of transportation such as trains/boats and turned their attention to food.
They started serving multi course fancy food like carved roast beef, lobster and prime rib which was accompanied by wine or expensive liquor in real glassware. This became a huge success and airlines started competing with each other, trying to offer special dining experiences to passengers.
As technology advanced, flying got cheaper and airlines had more people to serve. This is why in 1952 the economy class was created and with it came a decline in the quality of the food for the masses.
Once air travel’s popularity increased, the International Air Transport Association(IATA) started regulating airplane food and things became much tougher for the airlines.
Reasons Why Airplane Food Tastes Different
1.Dry Air
To maintain the pressure inside the cabin, airlines have to closely regulate the cabin air.
The air inside the airplane is almost 15 % drier than the air that we breath on the ground. This can affect your sense of smell and taste.
In fact, these senses start to deteriorate the moment you step on an airplane and it becomes worse when the airplane takes-off. The pressurized air makes passengers more dehydrated and dry-mouthed.
That is why wine tastes more acidic on an airplane.
2.Pressurized Cabin
Although the cabin is pressurized to mimic the air pressure you would feel on the ground, it’s still less than what you would experience at sea level.
Due to this our nose swells up and the body fluids start flowing upwards. This swelling messes with our sense of smell, making the food unappetising. You might be able to relate to this sensation since we’ve all had a cold at some point.
Another reason that researchers have discovered is that lower temperature and air pressure make it harder to detect odorants, which are molecules that stimulate the nose’s sensory cells.
Since it’s harder to smell in an airplane , it’s difficult to taste food onboard.
3.Airplane Noise
In case you didn’t know, airplane noises include vibrations from the air striking the hull, as well as the roaring of the engines and winds.
These collectively produce a constant sound that can be as loud as 85 decibels, which is equivalent to the noise produced by city traffic.
We know it sounds wired but, noise levels do affect your sense of taste. According to researchers, loud noises inhibit our ability to taste sweet flavours.
4.Airplane Food Is Re-Heated
Airplanes cruise at 30000 feet, however, its cabin pressure is equal to the air pressure at 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level, making it difficult to prepare fresh meals onboard.
That is why prior to take-off, airlines freeze pre-cooked meals on the ground and thaw them out in air.
Reheating the food in less than ideal conditions affects the taste of food on an airplane.
5.Method Of Cooking
Preparing and serving tasty food for a few hundred people above the clouds is not an easy task.
Due to food safety standards, all meals must be cooked on the ground. Such requirements for mass production definitely ties down the chef’s hands.
The food is made with ingredients which are long lasting and preservatives are added before it is packed, blast-chilled and stored in the refrigerator.
In a bid to preserve food, the chefs have to compromise on the quality of the food.
6.Food Budget
It is not the caterer, but the airline who decides what food is to be served.
Caterers have to use the products which are decided by the airlines and in a bid to reduce costs, airlines have started suggesting cheaper alternative food ingredients.
In 1987 American Airlines saved up to $40000 by removing one Olive from each passengers salad plate. This is the best example of how airlines can reduce costs by keeping food budgets in check.
Can Airlines Make Airplane Food Taste Better?
Once researchers discovered the science behind bland airplane food, airlines started investing in making the food taste better.
In 2010 Lufthansa asked Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics, to conduct a research on how airplane noise levels affect the taste of the food.
They found that loud noise does suppress the sensation of sweetness, however it enhances the flavour of Umami, the savoury taste other than sweet, sour, salt and bitter.
Lufthansa began experimenting with the way it seasoned food and started to use naturally intense flavours, such as orange/tomato oils and tomato concentrate, to enhance the food served.
Following Lufthansa’s example, many airlines started to develop meals with a more scientific approach and have become better at it.
In fact, Qatar Airways hires Michelin-Starred Chefs who create flavours keeping in mind that a passenger’s taste buds are numbed at 30000 feet in the air.
*Want to Grab A Bite Before Your Flight? Simply download the AirWhizz App and get information about airport eateries & lounges along with real-time updates for your flight on the move. Fly Stress-Free!
The Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, unlike any other airport, is not just a culmination of room fresheners. It is a collage of flavoursome culinary scents where famished passengers may find themselves transported even before stepping onto the plane.
This airport assistant gives you a list of five best places to eat at the second busiest airport in India.
Refreshingly, Bangalore airport is one of the cleanest and efficient airports in India. It offers many delights to the air passenger whose feet have not yet left the ground.
This is a guide through the many eateries, shopping, lounge, spa and services spread across the Bangalore Airport.
“After a good dinner, one can forgive anybody.” Oscar Wilde.
If only Airlines tried putting this policy to the test.
