A Bengaluru-based billionaire, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, has taken a dig at IndiGo Airlines over what she called an “uninviting and tasteless” gourmet meal served to passengers on the airline’s premium Stretch seats. Her post on social media has now become a talking point among travellers, with mixed reactions pouring in from both sides, some agreeing with her disappointment, while others defend the airline’s efforts.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Calls IndiGo’s ‘Gourmet’ Meal Tasteless
“This is what @IndiGo6E calls gourmet cuisine for the Stretch passengers! I prefer their regular items! Oberoi should introspect on this uninviting and tasteless menu — please do a customer survey and I bet you there will be a 100% 👎.”
The image shared by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw showed a list of dishes that were part of the new gourmet offering by IndiGo, created in collaboration with The Oberoi Group. The menu included items like “German lentil and feta salad with beetroot galouti,” “Lavash with cream cheese yogurt dip,” “Theedoi tres leches cake,” and “Mined nuts with pink salt and pepper.” The airline had introduced these dishes as part of its effort to offer a refined, international-style dining experience to premium passengers. But the reactions suggest not everyone found it appealing.
IndiGo’s social media team was quick to respond to the post. Their reply read: “Dear Ma’am, thank you for taking a moment to speak with us. We’re delighted to know that you enjoyed the overall Stretch experience. We truly appreciate your thoughts on our menu. Feedback like yours helps us evolve. At IndiGo, we remain committed to offering the best possible experience to our valued customers. Rest assured, we’ll work closely with our partner, the Oberoi, to further refine our offerings and make your future journeys even more delightful.”
The airline made sure to express gratitude for the feedback and assured that it would use the criticism constructively.
Internet Divided Over The Airline’s Premium Menu
Once the post gained attention, social media users quickly joined the conversation, and the reactions were all over the place. Some agreed with the billionaire, saying airline food in India often fails to live up to its fancy descriptions. One user wrote, “Still looks better than what another airline served us for breakfast — that omelette was a disaster!” Another added, “Notice the puffed-up yogurt lid — how is this even safe for consumption?”
Others, however, felt the criticism was too harsh. “To be fair, I had the same meal, and it was actually quite tasty. It was light, healthy, and didn’t make me feel heavy or bloated,” said one passenger. Another commented, “The problem is expectations. You call it gourmet, and people expect a five-star experience. But at 35,000 feet, that’s not always realistic.”
This debate highlights a bigger issue about how airlines market their premium food offerings. With partnerships like IndiGo’s collaboration with The Oberoi, the intent is to elevate the in-flight experience. But taste is subjective, and sometimes, simple comfort food wins over experimental menus.
Cover Image Courtesy: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw/X and Wikimedia Commons/BriYYZ from Toronto, Canada
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