Korean Air Removes Instant Noodles From Economy Class Menu Due To Turbulence Burn Risk

Korean Air announced that it will no longer serve ramyeon instant noodles to economy class passengers due to the burn risks associated with turbulence, as reported by Canva Pro.

Korean Air will stop serving instant noodles in economy class because of the burn risk from turbulence. From August 15, passengers in economy class on long-haul flights with the South Korean flag carrier will no longer receive Ramyeon noodles, as the airline announced due to increased turbulence.

“In the case of ramyeon service, burn accidents occur frequently due to hot water,” Korean Air said in a press release. “In economy class, flight attendants must move several cups of noodles filled with hot water at once, and passengers are crowded together, so the risk of burns has been high.”

The decision follows reports of increased turbulence, with Korean Air noting that the number of incidents in the first quarter of 2024 was double that of the same period five years ago. “Turbulence is becoming more frequent, especially as the aircraft descends, due to large temperature differences between altitudes. This is why Korean Air cabin services will now end before the aircraft begins its descent,” the airline added.

While instant noodles are no longer an option for economy class, business and first-class passengers will continue to enjoy the service. Korean Air will offer other snacks, such as sandwiches, corn dogs, and pizza, to economy passengers instead of the beloved Ramyeon.

The airline explained that this decision was part of a “comprehensive review of service strategies” to enhance safety and comfort for passengers. Turbulence, caused by irregular air currents, depends on factors like weather conditions, altitude, atmospheric instability, and the size of the plane. Climate change, which is affecting many of these factors, is expected to make air travel bumpier in the future.