Cabin crew at Norwegian Air have hit out at 'stingy' bosses after the budget airline halved their free in-flight meal allowance. Union officials claim the carrier has reduced the portion size from 400 to 200 grams, and now expects staff to pay for soft drinks, chocolates, and snacks.
The Trade Union Section of USO-Norwegian says the cuts breach a collective agreement and pose occupational health risks, particularly on long-haul flights lasting up to 14 hours. A union spokesman said the amount of food provided may be insufficient for crews serving more than 250 passengers.
Norwegian, Norway's biggest airline and Europe's third largest low-cost carrier behind easyJet and Ryanair, has implemented major cost-cutting measures across its bases and services. The union has been pressing for improved meal quality for months but instead saw reductions.
The airline defended the move, saying it has aligned its crew meal policy with other global airlines as part of a commitment to focus on costs and return to profitability. A Norwegian spokesperson stated that operational crew still receive a choice of free hot meals, the same as those offered to Premium Cabin passengers, but removed certain items like fizzy drinks and snacks, introducing a discount system for crew wishing to purchase them.
