That " Pork " ban !

No doubt there will be howls of protest from some quarters following the Qantas decision to eliminate pork from it's in-flight menus accessing Europe through Dubai.   Qantas is in partnership with Emirates and adopting a menu that is acceptable to Muslims is simply good sense when flying to an Arab destination.

This is purely a menu decision that only applies to this particular route.   Australia has a growing Muslim population and passengers transiting through Dubai can be expected to include Muslims travelling to other Middle East destinations.   All Qantas meals are prepared under Halal accreditation and removing pork on a route expected to include many Muslim passengers is a logical way of avoiding " mistakes " !

Pork and alcohol are forbidden to Muslims by the laws of Islam and Qantas does not have pork on menu's in it's planes flying to Indonesia.  Indonesia is heavily Muslim and this is a logical menu balance to take local custom into consideration when planning meals.

Alcohol will still be available on Middle East flights.  This obviously caters for the expected mix of passengers and accommodates individuals choice.   Those that prefer a glass of wine with their meal make an individual decision, as do those with an opposite belief.   The choice rests with each individual passenger.

Qantas has also adopted the custom of following Dubai in-flight announcements in English with an interpretation in Arabic.   Many airlines follow a similar custom.   French airlines usually announce passenger information in both French and English, and some airlines duplicate the language of their nation with the language of the destination to which they are flying.   This is simply a matter of good manners - and an example of a nice custom to ensure understanding.

International travel is a phenomenon that has embraced a more affluent world serviced by wide bodied jets that have dropped seat prices sensationally.  It stands to reason that airlines need to study the mix of passengers using their airline and tailor the service offered more accurately to their needs.  It is a competitive market - and the winners will be those that fill their seats by providing the services that gain the approval of the flying public.