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The meals offered on flights are not highly regarded, but even those with strong stomachs may hesitate to order a menu item that has been translated incorrectly on a recent flight.
An image captured by a traveler onboard a China Eastern Airlines flight displays the menu options available in the business class section, featuring beef, seafood, and soup entrees.
Unfortunately, one English translation has sparked conversation. One option for a starter dish is “imported dog food with okra”.
Conrad Wu posted the picture on his Facebook page and inquired, “What is this exactly?”
Nearly 1,000 individuals have responded to the Facebook post, generating hundreds of comments and shares.
Edward Poon inquired if this indicated that the airline was accommodating to pets, while another individual commented that it was due to their treatment of passengers as animals rather than humans.
Coleman So cautioned about the impacts of using Google Translate, while Dai Ching jokingly asked if it would result in a hot dog.
The picture was shared on Reddit as well, and a user noticed that it was “imported” dog food. They humorously joked that only passengers in economy class receive domestic dog food.
The dish mentioned on the translated menu during the China Eastern flight is unclear. The Independent has reached out to the operator for clarification.
Earlier this year, an airline recommended that its customers choose not to receive an inflight meal, citing it as the “ethical option”.
Since 2020, Japan Airlines has been testing the “JAL Ethical Choice MealSkip Option,” allowing passengers on select flights to decline a meal service. This option is now available for all flight bookings globally, with the airline highlighting the environmental advantages of skipping a mid-flight lunch.
In a disturbing situation during a flight, a business class traveler headed to Japan in February and requested a vegan breakfast. However, they were surprised when they received only a banana and chopsticks.
On the internet, they commented that they initially believed the banana served after take-off was a disappointing appetizer, but in reality, it was the entire meal service.
The source is the Independent, found at independent.co.uk.
