A disgruntled flyer has launched a scathing critique of Aer Lingus after being presented with what he brands the 'worst sandwich' he has ever encountered, an experience so poor it has him reconsidering future travel with the carrier.
The Disappointing In-Flight Snack
Oisín Breen, a 40-year-old journalist and poet based in Edinburgh, was travelling from Dublin to Toronto with Aer Lingus in December 2025. The journey was part of a longer trip to Jamaica to visit his fiancée's family. Approximately five hours into the seven-hour transatlantic flight, the economy class meal service presented him with a second, lighter meal: a cheese and relish sandwich, a vegetarian option he had selected.
However, the reality of the offering left him appalled. Photographs shared by Oisín reveal a shockingly small sandwich, which he described as 'miniature'. The bread was barely longer than his thumb and, according to him, 'dry as hell'. The filling was equally miserly: a single slice of what he called 'unpalatable' cheese and a 'smidge' of relish spread over only a fraction of one slice of bread.
Passenger Reaction and Airline Response
Oisín did not hold back in his assessment, labelling it the 'world's worst sandwich'. 'It lacked the basic quality of what it is to be a sandwich,' he stated. His initial reaction was laughter, which quickly turned to irritation. He complained to a flight attendant, who reportedly acknowledged the issue, agreeing that 'half the meal was missing'.
The incident has had lasting consequences for his perception of the airline. 'I'm contemplating never flying with them again,' Oisín said, emphasising a desire for honesty from carriers that claim to offer a proper service.
When contacted, a spokesperson for Aer Lingus told the Daily Mail that economy passengers on its Toronto routes receive two complimentary meals. They expressed regret that 'due to an issue with our catering supplier in late December, our second service offering on this flight was not our usual standard.' The airline apologised for any inconvenience and confirmed the temporary issue had been rectified.
Broader Implications for Airline Standards
This episode highlights the significant role that seemingly minor details like in-flight catering play in overall customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Oisín's flight was booked through American Airlines, which has a codeshare partnership with Aer Lingus, illustrating how a negative experience with one partner airline can reflect on the entire booking chain.
For cost-conscious travellers, the quality of complimentary refreshments is often a key differentiator between carriers. Incidents like this one, where the offering is perceived as laughably inadequate, can directly impact a passenger's decision to book with an airline again, pushing them towards competitors in a highly competitive market.
