Non-veg meal given instead of veg, Japan Airlines to pay Rs 35K

The state commission said the airline's negligence and deficiency in service is clear from the conduct of the cabin crew which did not mention in its report that the couple had complained about the wrong food provided to them.

"As soon as they started eating, the respondents (couple) observed something wrong in the food and started feeling uneasy...They immediately called the air hostess who had served the food packet and she confirmed they had been served non-vegetarian food.

"It is wrong to say on the part of the Airline that cabin crew was not informed of the mistake. This was the duty of the cabin crew to mention all the happenings which they failed to do just to avoid their liability. This clearly shows negligence and deficiency of service on the part of Airline," a bench of members S A Siddiqui and S C Jain said.

The order was passed while dismissing the appeal of Japan Airlines which had challenged the decision of a district forum here directing it to pay compensation of Rs 35,000 to the Delhi-based couple, N R Ahuja and his wife Karuna Ahuja for serving them non-veg food instead of the vegetarian meal they had chosen while booking tickets.

The airline, in its plea, had contended that the couple was given non-vegetarian meals as they were instructed

... contd.