My university professor once said that a true sign of India’s globalisation and its growing influence on the world stage would be when the humble Indian samosa is served in foreign airports and national airlines.
In a move reflecting the growing influence of India and its diaspora in Australia, Qantas, the nation’s national airline, has introduced samosas to its newly revamped domestic flight menu.
The inclusion of this humble yet iconic Indian street snack marks a significant moment in the fusion of cultural flavours in Australian aviation.
Dr Ritesh Chugh, Associate Professor in Information and Communications Technology at CQUniversity Australia, reflecting on this development, remarked,
“Who would have thought that Qantas would serve samosas on board their flights? I certainly did not see that coming! However, I am not complaining at all. It is fantastic to see such inclusivity in the domestic in-flight menu.”
Earlier this month, Qantas unveiled a refreshed domestic menu that will be rolled out across its entire network in both economy and business class cabins throughout October. Passengers will now be offered nearly 70 new items, with meals available across six mealtimes: breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper.
The airline’s new economy menu highlights include a focaccia with chorizo, pesto, and Meredith Goats Cheese, a cheese board paired with Australian salt bush chilli jam, and the newly introduced spinach and cottage cheese samosas. The new dessert options include a triple choc brownie cookie and a macadamia granola slice.
For business class travellers, standout dishes include a smoked salmon bagel with cream cheese, capers, and pickled onions, and a miso-glazed chicken salad served with brown rice, sweet potato, green beans, and sesame dressing. Dessert options in business class have also been elevated, with an all-new dark chocolate sour cherry fondant cake.
In a statement, Qantas emphasised that customer favourites, such as Lindt Lindor balls, will continue to feature on domestic flights, alongside a new focus on sustainable packaging as part of the airline’s ongoing efforts to minimise its environmental impact.
Phil Capps, Qantas Executive Manager of Product and Service, highlighted the significance of customer feedback in the airline’s evolving menu choices.
“We are always adjusting our menu in response to customer feedback and to enhance our in-flight dining experience. These hot menu items have been created using quality Australian ingredients, and we’re pleased to be rolling out a wider range of choice for customers travelling across our domestic network.”
In addition to the new food options, business class passengers can now enjoy an enhanced selection of spirits, including Campari and Starward Whisky. Qantas remains the only domestic airline in Australia to offer complimentary food, beverages, baggage, and on-board WiFi on its Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 flights.
The introduction of a diverse menu, featuring both local and international flavours such as the Indian samosa, highlights Qantas’ commitment to offering a world-class dining experience for passengers travelling within Australia.
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