Take Your Senses to New Heights by Dining in the Dark
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In-flight dining is improving its reputation. While “airline” and “food” were once badly-paired words, this notion is rapidly changing as the focus on in-flight dining experiences becomes increasingly important. Airlines are winning taste buds over, but many passengers are demanding a more memorable dining experience in addition to fine-dining flavors, so ambience is next on the menu.
Taking inspiration from a popular global dining phenomenon, one leading airline has plans to – quite literally – leave passengers in the dark. Dark dining has been a popular phenomenon in London, Paris, New York and Montreal since dining-in-the-dark began in Germany in 1999.
Passengers who book on these specially-offered flights will dine in a 100 percent pitch black cabin. Without any sense of sight, other senses such as touch, hearing, smell and of course, taste are intensified, giving passengers an unprecedented in-flight dining experience. As there will be no light throughout the cabin, passengers will specify dietary restrictions prior to boarding and meals will be a surprise, revealed only by their taste buds.
“We are thrilled to be the first carrier taking this leap in experiential dining,” says a spokesperson for the airline, speaking on the condition of anonymity until the official announcement is made. “We are hoping it will gain popularity as a kind of food tourism or a unique experience for passengers celebrating special occasions and wanting to try something new. Dark dining at 30,000 feet is the next big thing.”
The airline has reportedly hired a renowned chef with vast experience in fine-dining-in-the-dark. Heavy preparation will be done prior to take-off but all food assembly and serving will be carried out by airline staff, wearing night-vision goggles, in complete darkness.
Due to the requirement of absolute darkness, video on demand will not be offered on dark dining flights, but according to the airline this is one of the many benefits to their offer. “We hope passengers will take this time to connect with their travel companions or other passengers around them. Many people find it easier to share intimate details if they are in complete darkness.”
A formal announcement from the airline is expected in summer 2015.
*Update at 12:01 EST – Happy April Fool’s from the APEX Media team!