Following research commissioned as part of the company’s ‘Year of Nice’ campaign, which found that 72% of Brits find travelling stressful, with 39% citing it as their biggest holiday mood killer, Monarch has unveiled its new ‘Mood Food Box’ which aims to “relax, re-energise and reduce the stresses of travellers.”
Chief operating officer Nils Christy said: “We know how precious time on holiday is, so are delighted to be able to listen to our customers’ needs and trial the Monarch ‘Mood Food’ box this summer enabling more people to relax, feel good and start enjoying their holiday from the moment they get to the gate.”
Developed by chef Jozef Youssef and his team at Kitchen Theory, the menu centers around Spence’s research and includes ingredients to enhance happiness, relaxation and wellbeing.
For maximum effect, the snacks should be eaten at the specific moments of a flight, as outlined below:
- Prior to take off - immunity boosting echinacea and liquorice ice cream reduces the symptoms of coughs and colds (after 39% of Brits find they get ill when travelling or going on holiday.) Spence said: “The black colour is certainly counter-intuitive – most passengers think of white or pale colours with the ice cream. This may also help to distracts passengers from their chaotic journey whilst also surprising them and playing into childlike nostalgia.”
- At take-off - green tea and lavender mochi rice cakes are designed to relax travellers, as take-off is voted the number one most stressful part of flying for 22% of holiday makers. “Whilst flavour and ingredients are key, texture also plays a part in modifying mood states. The soft, chewy texture of the rice encourages mastication which has proven anti-stress properties, reducing tension much chewing gum. The chewy rice snack has therefore been designed to help reduce passenger stress on aeroplanes.”
- 30 minutes into the flight - herbal tea containing chamomile, fennel seed and kelp - proven to combat bloating and aid digestion, which affects 18% of travellers - accompanied by a crunchy, seaweed biscuit.
- Just before disembarkation - a sweet caramelised nut bar coated in umami mushroom and tomato powder re-energises and awakens the senses, as passengers arrive at their destination.
Spence said: “Travelling is a time when we’re under pressure and rushed, so eating well is often an afterthought. I’ve loved working with Monarch to use food – which can be a powerful psychological and physiological tool – to create the first ever real ‘happy’ meal to get travellers in the holiday mood as quickly as possible.”
Richard Wood, UK sales and marketing director at Alpha LSG, Monarch’s inflight catering provider, added: “We’re always looking at ways to innovate and improve the service we provide, so it will be interesting to see how Monarch’s Mood Food Box is received.
“Airline food has progressed significantly over the last few years so there’s no reason why, in the future, airline menus can combine flavour with more scientific combinations of ingredients making passengers happier, healthier and more relaxed.”