Airlines Respond to Free Meal Questions as Paid Catering Emerges
Media reports indicate that several Chinese airlines, including China Eastern Airlines, Sichuan Airlines and Lucky Air, have introduced paid custom in-flight meals. Responding to public concerns about whether free meals are being cancelled, China Eastern customer service said the airline launched paid meal selection to offer diversified dining choices, and flights that normally provide meals will still have free options, though these may be snacks or full meals depending on the flight. Sichuan Airlines customer service said passengers can buy paid meals via its app, with booking opening 10 days before departure and closing 48 hours before departure. The responses indicate free meals have no…
Impact and considerations
Paid meals represent a new ancillary revenue exploration for Chinese airlines, potentially affecting economy-class catering standards, ancillary product design and corporate travel meal arrangements.
Key points
- Several Chinese airlines, including China Eastern Airlines, Sichuan Airlines and Lucky Air, have introduced paid custom in-flight meals.
- China Eastern customer service said paid meal selection aims to offer diversified dining choices, and flights that normally provide meals will still have free options.
- China Eastern limits each passenger to one pre-ordered meal per flight, which replaces the standard meal.
- Sichuan Airlines paid meals can be purchased via its app, with booking opening 10 days before departure and closing 48 hours before departure.
- Free in-flight meals have not been cancelled; paid meals are an added option on top of existing free service.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- 品橙旅游
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 10 Sept 2026, 08:00
- Page published
- 11 Sept 2026, 00:05
- Last updated
- 10 Sept 2026, 08:00
- Original links
- Pinchain Tourism：多家航司回应免费餐食疑问 付费餐食成新趋势 – 品橙旅游 (opens in a new tab)Primary source · zh · Published 10 Sept 2026, 08:00