SIA Reviewing Paper Serviceware After People Claimed It Looked Cheap

Have you seen the new McDonald’s Big Breakfast in town?

Well, there isn’t one, but the new paper servicewares from Singapore Airlines (SIA) certainly makes its meals look like the Big Breakfast.

The esteemed airline recently rolled out an all-new paper serviceware on selected flights, but let’s just say the response was suboptimal.

Here’s what happened.

New Paper Serviceware Launched By SIA on Selected Flights

On Tuesday (28 February), SIA announced its launch of paper serviceware for selected medium- and long-haul flights from 1 to 25 March.

The new paper serviceware will be on trial in Premium Economy Class and Economy Class flights.

If you’re getting on a flight to Hong Kong, London, Seoul or Sydney this month, you might get to try out the new paper serviceware on your flight. A handful of flights to other destinations have also implemented this new serviceware trial.

These paper servicewares will replace the plastic casseroles and aluminium foil cover many Singaporeans are familiar with.

Well, that’s if you still remember what the in-flight meals look like even after COVID-19 kept us grounded for years.

In its Facebook post, SIA also shared that the new servicewares, made with Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper, retain heat and moisture better than SIA’s current casserole dishes.

The extra secure lid also means you can now enjoy soupy and gravy-rich main courses in the skies, including local favourites like laksa or mee siam.

We hope we won’t be greeted with a McMuffin or two hotcakes when you open the lid.

Hawker centre food served in McDonald’s-esque serviceware, all while you’re in the skies. Talk about a flight experience.

New Paper Serviceware Apparently Costs More Than Current Plastic Serviceware

Before you start complaining about how the new paper servicewares look cheap, SIA will have you know that the new servicewares aren’t cheap at all.

The new paper servicewares cost even more than the current plastic servicewares, said Mr Yeoh Phee Teik, the senior vice president for customer experience at SIA.

Hopefully, the higher price of servicewares doesn’t raise the price of flight tickets as well…

Nevertheless, SIA shared that switching up their serviceware aimed to reduce single-use plastics on SIA flights while expanding their in-flight meal offerings.

The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions: Single-use Paper Serviceware Could Potentially Create More Wastage

Despite SIA’s best efforts, these efforts might not necessarily translate into results.

According to Mr Andrew Yeo, associate director of outreach at Zero Waste SG, single-use paperware could potentially create more wastage instead.

Perhaps Milo should review the impact of their switch from plastic to paper straws as well.

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Regarding sustainability, Mr Yeo suggested that SIA encourage passengers to make food choices early and pre-book their in-flight meals.

Not only does this reduce food waste, but it also reduces the aircraft’s load, allowing for better efficiency for the flight.

Fortunately, SIA will review customer feedback and operational considerations before deciding if paper serviceware should be implemented across all medium- and long-haul flights.

Come to think of it, did Milo ever ask for feedback on their paper straws?

So… What Do Netizens Think?

Since SIA’s announcement, many netizens have expressed their views on the serviceware switch.

After SIA’s recent announcement banning emotional support animals from their flights, bad publicity for their new servicewares is the last thing they need.

Yet, we don’t always get what we want. Not even SIA.

Many netizens shared their dissatisfaction regarding the lacklustre feeling of eating from paper servicewares, emphasising the “luxurious” experience SIA should be aiming to provide on their Premium Economy Class flights.

One netizen opined that SIA’s move is obviously for cost-cutting rather than sustainability.

Another netizen also alluded that paper serviceware isn’t “proper crockery” and shouldn’t be used on Premium Economy Class flights.

Among the sea of comments flooding SIA’s post protesting the use of paper serviceware, only a tiny handful of netizens seem to welcome this potential switch.

Well, we’ll see how this plays out after the serviceware trial ends one month later.