Korean Air Removes Instant Noodles from Economy Menu
Some people like having instant noodles as a quick lunch — others enjoy them while traveling through the air.
But some passengers on Korean Air won't be able to do this anymore. The airline has announced it will take its much-loved instant cup noodles off its economy menu.
The reason? Turbulence.
Turbulence has increased on flights — by as much as 55% over the past 40 years, a 2023 UK study found. And Korean Air said the number of times its flights have experienced turbulence has doubled since 2019.
The airline said that this, along with narrow aisles and passengers sitting closely together, could increase the risk of passengers getting burned by hot water in cups of instant noodles.
It has happened on other airlines. In June, a passenger traveling on an Air New Zealand flight was burned when turbulence caused a full pot of coffee to fall from the drinks trolley.
And in July, a woman sued US airline JetBlue after being badly burned by hot tea that spilled on her during turbulence.
Until now, instant cup noodles were part of Korean Air's in-flight menu, and were given for free on longer flights.
But from August 15, passengers will find other food items — like sandwiches and pizza — on the menu instead of instant noodles.
Passengers in business and first class will still be able to enjoy instant noodles, however. The airline said the noodles are brought individually to these passengers, so spillage is less likely.
Online, people have mixed feelings about the decision. Some don't agree with it, saying the airline has kept other food items that could cause burns, like tea and coffee.
But others agree with Korean Air, with some saying they're often worried about getting burned, and others saying they didn't like the smell of the noodles anyway.
