Hawaiian Airlines - vegetarian alert
 

Flew San Diego to Honolulu. This flight had no vegetarian selections for the meal service. The offering was ham & cheese sandwich which is also unacceptable to some people for religious reasons. The meal for purchase options also did not include any vegetarian selections. I confirmed with the Flight Attendant and she said they had nothing vegetarian on board. This is unacceptable. I had a granola bar with me which was my lunch but I bought a ticket that included meal service. The return flight offered a vegetarian meal , so I do not understand why the outbound flight did not. Also on the return flight, there was no red wine available. The flight attendant said they ran out already. While this may be theoretically possible, I have never been on a flight on any airline that was out of wine for the meal service. That is revenue for the airline and this was just very poor planning. This is my third trip with HA, but service was very poor compared to prior two trips in 2005 and 2006.

<i>Also on the return flight, there was no red wine available.</i>

How can you be a vegetarian if you are willing to drink miscellanous wine where you don't know what form of finings was used to create it.

Totally consistent with what HA posted on their website:

http://www.hawaiianair.com/services/in-flight-dining

If you have specific dietary requirements, you need to, and are free to, bring your own.

And if this is unacceptable, you should choose another airline. Like one that doesn't give you any free food to start with.

"<i>I bought a ticket that included meal service.</i>"

Not true. HA describe their food service as 'complimentary,' and they offer an online menu showing what's on offer for no extra charge. They also show a menu of food 'available for purchase.'

"<i>This is unacceptable.</i>"

Not true. The food service is fully explained so you know what to expect. It's unrealistic to expect anything different or additional. HA are free to offer whatever they please as 'complimentary' and you're free to decline and bring your own choice aboard.

Gee Garybear-as a flight attendant I have run out of wine many times in my career so don't blame HA for poor planning. Blame it on excessive drinking on the first beverage service!

Most any experienced traveler knows that if you need a special meal you should:

a) Request it from the airline well in advance of your trip.

OR

b) Bring your own food.

This does not just apply to Hawaiian Airlines, it applies to the others as well. You should not count on the airline to have exactly what you need unless you pre-arrange your special meal.

I find your post amusing, are you serious or just incrediby naive? As someone who has dietary challenges, I would NEVER presume that an airline would be able to accommodate me. I ALWAYS take note of the flying time and bring my own meal, snacks, etc. with me as that guarantees I will have what I need. If it weren't for the d**n liquid ban, I would gladly bring my own drink, and often purchase something near the gate.

Flying today, unless you are on your own Gulfstream with staff, is like taking the Greyhound bus in my parents' day. I wish I had a nickel for the envious looks from fellow passengers I have had through the years as I happily consumed my own food,