The incident occurred during a five-hour RyanAir flight from Vienna, Austria, to Tenerife, Spain. Juhos, who resides in Slovakia, chose to document her experience on TikTok after receiving a less-than-appetizing vegan lasagna which she purchased for approximately $16.
This was Juhos's first time ordering a meal from RyanAir, despite having used the airline for her travels multiple times before. The visually appealing depiction of the meal in the in-flight magazine influenced her choice to order it, as it was the only vegetarian option available.
Juhos described the lasagna as featuring a few small pieces of courgette in a watery ketchup-like sauce, topped with what seemed to be plastic-looking cheese. Her disappointment stemmed not just from the quality but also from the stark difference between the advertised and the actual product.
Passenger Shares Disappointment Over In-Flight Vegan Meal
Juhos expressed her frustration with the meal on her TikTok video, stating, "Never ordering this again," due to the misleading presentation in the magazine and packaging. She did not have high expectations for a budget carrier's meal, yet she was still surprised by how unappealing it looked and tasted.
"Even though I didn't have high expectations, I was still surprised by how unappealing the meal looked. Unfortunately, it didn’t taste any better,” Juhos reminisced about her experience.
The video quickly gained traction on TikTok, drawing thousands of views and numerous comments from viewers who shared their disgust and lack of surprise at the meal's quality.
Online Community Reacts to Viral Meal Complaint
Comments on the TikTok video ranged from sympathetic to humorous. One viewer remarked, "That was more different than I expected," while others commented, "Yep seems about right" and "Oh RyanAir food, I wish I could have warned you."
In response to these comments, Juhos acknowledged the lesson learned from the incident, vowing, "Lesson learned, not gonna make the same mistake again," thereby warning future passengers through her viral misfortune.
The other meal options available on the flight included Thai green curry, baguettes, and grilled cheese sandwiches, which now, in hindsight, might have been better choices for Juhos and other vegetarian travelers.
Juhos Takes Formal Steps to Address the Culinary Letdown
Despite her frustration during the flight, Juhos chose not to address her concerns directly with the flight crew at the time. Instead, she opted to complete a post-flight survey to formally voice her dissatisfaction with the airline’s catering service.
Her proactive approach highlights an avenue for passengers to lodge complaints and potentially spur improvements in airline services, especially regarding meal quality standards on budget flights.
As of now, RyanAir has not officially responded to media inquiries regarding the incident. The situation underscores the growing scrutiny of airline meals and the expectations of passengers, regardless of the fare class.
