KUALA LUMPUR: Amid its catering chaos since last Friday, Malaysia Airlines has not asked its passengers to bring their own meals onboard its flights, people close to the national carrier said.

They said certain media had taken the frequently asked questions (FAQ) that Malaysia Airlines posted on its website on Aug 30 out of context.

"It (the FAQ) was taken out of context, especially for questions number 8 and 9. This does not mean that the airline would not provide (in-flight) meals to its passengers. It simply can't do that as the ticket purchased, whether it's one-way or return, includes the pricing for meals onboard the flight," an insider told the New Straits Times today.

"This is a full-service carrier (FSC) and a national carrier. It's not a budget airline where most of them don't allow passengers to bring their own meals because they sell their own food and beverages onboard their flights," the insider added.

Malaysia Airlines stated in its FAQ that "passengers may bring their own meals onboard subject to liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) requirements. LAGs must not exceed 100ml per the requirements for international passengers departing or transiting at international airports in Malaysia."

The carrier also said passengers with special dietary or medical requirements could bring their own meals onboard subject to the LAGs requirements at the departing airports on international flights.

It added that self-heating meals and non-halal meals are strictly prohibited.

Aviation consultancy Endau Analytics founder and aviation analyst Shukor Yusof said FSCs worldwide allow passengers to bring their own meals provided they follow the airline's guide on bringing food onboard.

He added that MAG has found itself in an unfortunate position but the move to part ways with its in-flight caterer Brahim's Food Services Sdn Bhd (BFS) was the right decision.

"It also highlights the importance of always having a Plan B. The upside (is that) this is an opportunity for MAG to try something innovative even if it's risky. We can expect to see unhappy passengers until this is fully resolved," Shukor told the NST today.

Malaysia Airlines has experienced several flight delays since Friday (Sept 1) as it embarks on a new journey without BFS.

Following the end of its 26-year relationship with BFS on Aug 31, Malaysia Airlines has been caught in the centre of a social media storm.

Netizens expressed outrage and disappointment over the airline's in-flight catering blunder, which has been dubbed the "Bring-Your-Own-Food" fiasco.

Twitter, Instagram and Facebook have been flooded with posts and comments from passengers who feel let down by the airline's unexpected policy shift.

One passenger named Amirul Rahman took to Facebook, stating: "No meals on flight! All management and board members of Malaysia Airlines should be embarrassed and resign due to their lack of competency."

Amirul posted a picture of a sad-looking in-flight meal, captioning it with: "After a few chats with the stewardess, complaining that I was starving and didn't have breakfast, only then I got this meal box."

On Twitter, one user with tweethandle Tsunamiz posted: "Looks like Malaysia Airlines is upgrading their in-flight menu to BYOM (Bring Your Own Meal)! Talk about taking food delivery to new heights!".

Another user tweeted: "The whole top management should be sacked! How to run an airline if you cannot manage the food catering part?".

Malaysia Airlines had said it was resolving the issues over in-flight meals.

MAG group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail expects the operational glitch to return to normal in the next few days.

"If you ask me whether it is a smooth transition from our caterer to our new Business Continuity Plan (BCP), definitely not.

"It'll take a few days for us to resolve teething problems and I'm very confident that we'll get it right in the next few days," he said last Friday.

Izham said Malaysia Airlines wass working with eight services providers for its in-flight meals. They include MAS Awana Services Sdn Bhd and Pos Aviation Sdn Bhd.

Malaysia Airlines had expressed regret and apologised to affected passengers for the inconveniences.

"These challenges, compounded by rainy weather conditions and changes to aircraft parking bays at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, impacted several flights.

"In addition, the airline experienced coordination issues that we're actively addressing with relevant partners," it said.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2023/09/951116/faq-meals-taken-out-context