KAL, Asiana win service, food awards

March 12, 2007

Asiana Airlines won a gold medal for its in-flight meal from the International Travel Catering Association. Provided by the companyKorean Air and Asiana Airlines said yesterday they won coveted Mercury awards for outstanding airline services presented by the International Travel Catering Association.The two airlines took the top honors for on-board services and food and beverages at the three-day 2007 catering convention held in Cologne, Germany last week.Korean Air, Korea’s largest flag carrier, took the gold medal for its “Flying Mom” service.This service assigns a flight attendant to specifically look after children who board planes without any guardians. The flight attendant checks on the food the children eat and how well they sleep and writes a memo for the people who come to claim the child on arrival.Asiana won the gold medal for the food and beverages served on its long-distance flights. The association gave high marks for its bulgogi and bossam dishes. Both are traditional Korean dishes with meat, rice and fresh vegetables. The latter was first introduced on the North American route in 2005 and has since been expanded to flights to Europe.Asiana said it plans to further develop traditional menus for in-flight meals by introducing dishes served in Korea’s royal court.Korea’s No. 2 airline won the Mercury Award in 2003 and 2005 for its flying magic show and the flamboyant traditional costumes worn by flight attendants