Air New Zealand Adds Impossible Burger to San Francisco Flights Despite Meat-Industry Backlash

This week, Air New Zealand added sliders made with plant-based Impossible Burger patties to the menu in Business Premier class on flights between San Francisco and Auckland. In July, Air New Zealand became the first airline to serve the Impossible Burger on its flights between Los Angeles and Auckland. The move gained backlash from New Zealand’s $6 billion beef industry which criticized the airline for supporting plant-based products. Niki Chave, Air New Zealand’s Inflight Customer Experience Manager, revealed that the plant-based burger has been popular among passengers, and the airline expanded the options to serve consumer demand. “At Air New Zealand we’re always exploring what’s new and innovative, and we’re excited to be the first airline in the world to serve the Impossible Burger,” Chave told VegNews. “We see the partnership with Impossible Foods as a great opportunity to surprise and delight our customers traveling in Business Premier on these flights and offer them a unique and delicious meat-free menu option.” The meatless menu option, which includes three sliders per serving, will be on the menu until the end of June 2019.