Last week, Air France found itself in a storm of controversy after a passenger accused the airline of faking kosher meals on a long-haul flight from Mauritius to Paris.
What started as a catering mishap quickly escalated into a heated debate about ethics, respect for religious dietary needs, and how airlines handle special meal requests.
Let’s break it all down.
A Flight, A Kosher Meal Order, and A Big Problem
Imagine boarding your long-haul flight, expecting the meal you pre-ordered weeks in advance, only to find out it’s not available.
Frustrating, right?
Now, imagine that meal isn’t just a preference, but a religious necessity.
For those who follow kosher dietary laws, keeping kosher is a deeply rooted religious practice that involves strict adherence to dietary laws, including preparation, supervision, and certification by a recognized authority.
Violating these laws is not just an inconvenience—it’s a breach of religious trust.
The Shocking Discovery Mid-Flight
Divora Marinelli and her family, ranging from 3 to 73 years old, had all ordered kosher meals ahead of their journey.
However, when they checked in, they were informed that their meals weren’t available. Not ideal, but at least they knew upfront, right?
But once in the air, a flight attendant handed them meals labeled “KSML”, suggesting that their kosher meals had somehow been found and loaded after all.
Suspicious, Divora examined the tray. Something was off—the meals weren’t sealed as kosher meals typically are, and they lacked the certification label that ensures the food is actually kosher.
Just Write KSML On It?
Her suspicions were soon confirmed: the crew had allegedly taken standard meals and simply handwritten “KSML” on them.
This wasn’t an official kosher meal—it was a fake label on a non-kosher dish.
Before she could warn everyone, some of the children had already started eating.
Furious and deeply concerned, she went to the lead flight attendant, who investigated the situation.
Shockingly, he confirmed that another crew member had indeed just written “KSML” on random meals and given them to the group as their pre-ordered kosher meals.
Here’s what a properly prepared kosher meal looks like on other airlines. Notice the sealed packaging and clear certification labels, which ensure the meal meets strict religious standards. This is what Divora and her family expected—not handwritten labels on unsealed tray.
Air France’s Response: A €30 Voucher?
Instead of issuing a formal apology or meaningful compensation, Air France gave each affected passenger a €30 voucher.
That’s barely enough for a mediocre airport sandwich, let alone appropriate compensation for what happened.
Air France has since denied the accusation, saying:
- Kosher meals weren’t available due to a supply shortage.
- Passengers were informed before the flight that their meals wouldn’t be provided.
- The meals labeled “KSML” were vegetarian meals, and the labeling was simply for crew identification.
- The crew never intended to deceive the passengers.
But Divora and her family aren’t buying it.
Why This Is a Big Deal
For those unfamiliar, keeping kosher isn’t just about avoiding certain foods—it’s a strict religious practice requiring specific preparation, supervision, and certification.
Kosher meals on flights are typically:
- Sealed to prevent contamination
- Labeled with certification from a religious authority
- Prepared in a certified kosher kitchen
By allegedly mislabeling a non-kosher meal as kosher, Air France violated religious trust and failed to respect the dietary needs of its passengers.
What If This Was a Nut Allergy?
This is disgraceful @airfrance
Last week, Divora Marinelli, flew Air France from Mauritius to Paris.
She confirmed kosher meals for her party of 8 ranging from 3 to 73 years old.
But when she checked in for her flight, they told her that her kosher meals were not available.… pic.twitter.com/TogQsclTK4
— DansDeals (@DansDeals) February 24, 2025
Let’s put this into perspective:
Imagine if a passenger had a severe nut allergy, and instead of ensuring a nut-free meal, a flight attendant just scribbled “nut-free” on a standard meal and handed it to them.
If that passenger ate it and had a reaction at 35,000 feet, there would be a major lawsuit.
So why is this different for kosher meals? Some argue that because it doesn’t cause physical harm, it’s not as serious. But others say that respecting religious beliefs should matter just as much as accommodating medical needs.
Was €30 an Insult?
Let’s be real—€30 is a joke in this situation.
Passengers weren’t just inconvenienced; they were misled, disrespected, and placed in a difficult position with no real alternative at 35,000 feet.
Air France’s response lacked accountability and sincerity.
A proper resolution should have included more than just a basic travel voucher. If a passenger’s dietary or religious meal is not available, the airline has a responsibility to acknowledge the mistake and compensate accordingly.
So, what should Air France have done instead? At the very least, they should have provided:
✅ A formal apology from management, not just a generic corporate statement. Passengers deserved to hear from Air France directly, acknowledging the severity of the issue.
✅ Full refunds for affected passengers—not just for the meal, but as a gesture of goodwill and recognition of their failure to deliver a pre-ordered service.
✅ Higher compensation for violating religious trust, which goes beyond money. This was more than just a missing meal—it was about respect, faith, and ethical responsibility.
✅ Stricter meal-handling procedures moving forward, with guarantees that this will never happen again. A promise to review internal catering and labeling processes should have been made public.
The problem isn’t just the missing meal—it’s the careless handling of the situation. Air France had an opportunity to make things right and demonstrate that they take religious and dietary requirements seriously. Instead, they offered a minimal compensation and an explanation that many passengers found hard to believe.
This incident isn’t just about one bad meal—it’s about trust. And right now, Air France has a lot of work to do to earn it back.
Should Airlines Even Offer Kosher Meals?
This raises a bigger question: If airlines can’t guarantee kosher meals, should they even offer them?
Some argue that airlines should only list meals they can reliably provide. If kosher meals can’t be ensured, passengers should be informed before booking, so they can bring their own food.
Others say airlines should be held accountable if they promise a special meal and fail to deliver. Pre-ordering a meal creates an expectation that it will be provided.
Personally, I believe that airlines must be held accountable if they choose to offer kosher meals. If an airline provides an option, it must ensure that it meets proper certification standards and that passengers can rely on their pre-ordered meal.
Otherwise, airlines should clearly state that they cannot guarantee availability, giving passengers time to make alternative arrangements rather than misleading them at the last minute.
Trust is everything when it comes to air travel, and airlines need to do better when accommodating passengers’ dietary and religious needs.
Final Thoughts
So, did Air France fake kosher meals, or was this just a misunderstanding?
Either way, this incident exposes serious gaps in how airlines handle dietary and religious food needs. It’s not just about food—it’s about trust, respect, and accountability.
🔥 What do you think? Was this an innocent mistake or something more serious? Was Air France’s €30 voucher an insult? Would you ever trust their special meal service again?
