Air Transat says it has stopped offering meal accommodations for the majority of travellers who require special diets for health or religious reasons. It says passengers flying economy class on transatlantic flights can choose from a selection of hot sandwiches which cannot be adapted to address allergies or other restrictions.

The airline says its EuroBistro menu includes an option for vegetarians and says it can accommodate requests for kosher meals, but says it cannot provide choices suitable for conditions such as gluten-intolerance or meals that conform with other religious traditions.
Air Transat says those wishing to request a special meal may either upgrade to club class or bring their own food on board the flight.
The situation is similar for passengers on US or Caribbean flights, who can purchase meals from the company's menu but are also unable to request most special meal accommodations.
The menu changes apparently came in response to customer satisfaction surveys that found passengers were seeking more variety in the company's meal offerings.
Spokesperson Debbie Cabana said customers now have a selection of six hot sandwiches to choose from rather than deciding between two hot casseroles, adding vegetarians have a sushi option available to them.
The new menu offers other benefits besides selection, she said.
“These sandwiches are now more fresh and healthy, and the portion is more generous,” Cabana said, adding the meals are also easier to serve on the plane. “For us, it's a good change for the passengers.”
However, some passengers disagree. One disgruntled traveller posted a message to her Facebook page warning those with dietary sensitivities about the new policy, prompting some creative discussion on how passengers could voice their discontent.
“I feel like I should bring a really extravagant gourmet meal and make a big production out of serving it,” she said in response to Air Transat's suggestion that she pack her own food.
Cabana said the menu format Air Transat chose cannot be adapted to the array of food restrictions among their passengers.
“We did not have the possibility to offer all of the special meals that could be ordered for all our flights,” she said.
“There are so many possibilities and there could be so many restrictions that it was not possible for us to respond to all these kinds of allergies or specific needs for food.”