In an effort to reduce food waste, Japan Airlines has introduced to flyers the option to skip their meal.
Its customers were notified about their new policy called "Ethical Choice MealSkip Option", which gives passengers up to 25 hours before their flight to turn down their meal.
All skipped meals will be donated to a Japanese charity that helps to deliver food to schools in developing countries.
Japan Airlines' new worldwide policy has been implemented following a successful trial flight between Bangkok and Tokyo, which found that many flyers opted out of their meal so that they could have more time to sleep.
The meal skip option is currently available on all of its routes and classes. Snacks and beverages will still be available upon request.
Japan Airlines is not the first airline to offer a meal skip option on long-haul flights. Delta Airlines also gives flyers in business class the choice to turn down their meal.
In 2019, the International Air Transport Association found that over 20% of cabin waste was comprised of untouched food and drink.
