Virgin Atlantic in-flight meals to be rated on their sustainability
Green business news – by Matthew Zola
3rd April 2013
Virgin Atlantic Airways is to become the first airline in the world to have its in-flight meals assessed for sustainability.
The UK airline giant has teamed up with the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA), a national not-for-profit organisation working with UK restaurants to improve their environmental footprint. Under the deal, Virgin Atlantic will have its entire global catering operation rated by the same standards as SRA-certified restaurants.
The contract marks the biggest catering sustainability assessment to be undertaken by the SRA, which has rated over 1,200 restaurants to date. Virgin Atlantic services over 34 international destinations and five to six million passengers a year. The airline has 38 aircraft and will shortly be adding a further 16 ‘greener’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner to its fleet. Virgin Atlantic said the decision to partner with the SRA is part of its ‘Change is in the Air’ programme, which seeks to improve the sustainability of multiple fields within the airline.
“Our passengers now rightly demand that we […] ensure we are making the most sustainable choices,” said Reuben Arnold, the director of customer experience at Virgin Atlantic. “The SRA ratings will allow us to understand how we and our global suppliers are performing on this front, and how to work closely together to drive improvements.”
Sustainable restaurant assessment
The contract marks the biggest catering sustainability assessment to be undertaken by the SRA, which has rated over 1,200 restaurants to date. Virgin Atlantic services over 34 international destinations and five to six million passengers a year. The airline has 38 aircraft and will shortly be adding a further 16 ‘greener’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner to its fleet. Virgin Atlantic said the decision to partner with the SRA is part of its ‘Change is in the Air’ programme, which seeks to improve the sustainability of multiple fields within the airline.
“Our passengers now rightly demand that we […] ensure we are making the most sustainable choices,” said Reuben Arnold, the director of customer experience at Virgin Atlantic. “The SRA ratings will allow us to understand how we and our global suppliers are performing on this front, and how to work closely together to drive improvements.”
Sustainable restaurant assessment
The SRA assessment covers 14 areas of sustainability including energy efficiency, water usage and waste. Participants have to complete a survey containing 65 question and are then rated on a star rating from one through to three. ‘Three-Star Sustainability Champions’ score well in multiple categories and total above a 70 per cent on the survey, while ‘One-Star Sustainability Champions’ total above 50 per cent and offer “good all around sustainability.”
“Our sustainability rating is now regarded as the industry standard for restaurants,” said Mark Linehan, the managing director of the SRA. “We applaud Virgin Atlantic for taking the lead among airlines and look forward to working with them and other airlines to identify and manage the unique sustainability challenges posed by in-flight catering.”
Eurostar: ‘SRA Champion’
“Our sustainability rating is now regarded as the industry standard for restaurants,” said Mark Linehan, the managing director of the SRA. “We applaud Virgin Atlantic for taking the lead among airlines and look forward to working with them and other airlines to identify and manage the unique sustainability challenges posed by in-flight catering.”
Eurostar: ‘SRA Champion’
A similar agreement to the one with Virgin Atlantic exists between the SRA and Eurostar, the high-speed rail service that runs between Europe and the UK. Assessing sustainability within the transport industry is unique when compared to most restaurants given the numerous international locations and multiple food sources.
The SRA aims to have all the Virgin Atlantic’s international caterers assessed by the end of 2013. The process has already begun as part of the airline’s bid process for a new service to Lagos, Nigeria.
Other green actions the airline has taken include using more energy efficient light bulbs in airport clubhouses, and aiming to reduce carbon emissions per kilometre flown by 30 per cent between 2007 and 2020.
The SRA aims to have all the Virgin Atlantic’s international caterers assessed by the end of 2013. The process has already begun as part of the airline’s bid process for a new service to Lagos, Nigeria.
Other green actions the airline has taken include using more energy efficient light bulbs in airport clubhouses, and aiming to reduce carbon emissions per kilometre flown by 30 per cent between 2007 and 2020.
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