If you’re flying with Vistara, you might be wondering, “Do I get a free meal on my flight?” After all, in-flight dining can make or break a travel experience—especially on longer journeys.
Vistara is known for offering premium service, but the answer to whether you’ll get a complimentary meal depends on your ticket type and travel class. Unlike budget airlines that charge for every extra, Vistara includes meal service for many passengers, but not all.
In this guide, I’ll break down Vistara’s meal policy, what to expect in each cabin class, the types of meals served, and how you can ensure a great in-flight dining experience. Let’s dive in about does Vistara provide free meals?
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Vistara’s Meal Policy Across Cabin Classes
Vistara offers different meal options based on your travel class, so whether you’re flying on a short domestic flight or a long international journey, your in-flight dining experience can vary. Let’s take a closer look at how meals are provided across Vistara’s economy, premium economy, and business class.
1. Economy Class: Free Meals on Select Fares
If you’re flying in economy class, you may or may not receive a free meal, depending on the type of ticket you’ve booked. Vistara offers several fare options:
- Lite
- Value
- Standard
- Flexi
Lite fares usually don’t include complimentary meals, so you’ll need to purchase food and beverages onboard. However, with Value, Standard, and Flexi fares, you’ll be treated to a light snack or meal, depending on the flight duration.
Vistara’s economy class meals often include:
- Snacks such as sandwiches, chips, or fruit.
- Light meals like salads, wraps, or pasta.
- Beverages like tea, coffee, soft drinks, and juices.
2. Premium Economy: A Step Up in Dining
In the premium economy, the meal offerings are more substantial. You’ll receive complimentary hot meals, which can be quite a treat, especially on longer flights. The menu in premium economy typically features more gourmet options compared to the economy class meals.
What can you expect?
- Multiple-course meals like pasta with veggies, grilled chicken, or rice and curry.
- Larger portions and more variety.
- Juices, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and sometimes alcoholic beverages.
Premium economy provides a much more refined meal service, making it ideal for travelers who want a more comfortable dining experience.
3. Business Class: Fine Dining at 35,000 Feet
If you’re flying in business class, you’re in for a truly luxurious meal experience. The meals are designed to cater to more refined tastes, with a greater selection of options. Expect multi-course gourmet meals that change seasonally to match your journey.
In business class, you can enjoy:
- Appetizers, main courses, and desserts served on a tray or as part of a buffet-style offering on some long-haul flights.
- International and regional cuisines, often prepared by top chefs to give you the best in-flight dining experience.
- Premium beverages, including a selection of fine wines, spirits, and crafted cocktails.
The attention to detail and the quality of meals in business class is something that sets Vistara’s service apart, ensuring that you arrive at your destination both satisfied and refreshed.
Vistara Meal Service by Cabin Class
| Cabin Class | Complimentary Meal | Meal Type | Beverage Service |
| Economy | Yes (on select fares) | Light meal/snack | Tea, Coffee, Soft Drinks |
| Premium Economy | Yes | Hot meal | Tea, Coffee, Juices, Soft Drinks |
| Business Class | Yes | Gourmet multi-course meals | Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Drinks |
Premium Economy and Business Class Meal Experience
When it comes to Vistara’s Premium Economy and Business Class, the meal experience takes a major step up from the economy class. Whether you’re treating yourself to a more comfortable flight or traveling for business, the dining options are designed to impress. Here’s what you can expect in these higher classes.
Premium Economy: Elevated Dining Experience
In the premium economy, the focus is on providing you with larger, more diverse meals that go beyond the basics. Unlike the light snacks or meals in economy, you’ll enjoy hot, freshly prepared meals that feel much more like a restaurant experience than a plane meal.
The meal service in this class includes:
- Hot meals served with a variety of side dishes, often including vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
- Fresh salads with every meal, along with a selection of breads.
- Beverages including juices, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and sometimes even alcoholic drinks on longer flights.
The menu changes regularly to reflect seasonal ingredients and regional preferences, offering you new options each time you fly. And, of course, the quality is higher compared to economy, ensuring that you get a satisfying meal experience.
Business Class: The Ultimate In-Flight Dining
If you’re flying in business class, you’re in for a truly luxurious meal experience. The service is designed to make you feel like you’re dining in a five-star restaurant, but at 35,000 feet. From the moment you sit down, you’ll be offered a gourmet multi-course meal prepared by top chefs.
Here’s what business class meals generally include:
- Appetizers: Think along the lines of soups, salads, and fine cheeses.
- Main Course: A choice of gourmet options, ranging from international dishes like grilled meats and seafood to Indian favorites like biryani or curry.
- Desserts: A wide selection of decadent options such as mousse, tarts, or freshly made ice cream.
- Fine wines and spirits: A curated selection of premium drinks to accompany your meal. You can even choose from signature cocktails for an elevated dining experience.
The business class meal is an experience in itself, ensuring you have something to look forward to as you relax in the comfort of your lie-flat seat.
Special Requests and Customizations
One of the highlights of flying premium economy or business class on Vistara is the ability to customize your meal. Vistara offers a range of special meal requests to cater to dietary needs or personal preferences. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or have other dietary restrictions, Vistara’s chefs are happy to accommodate your needs with a bit of notice.
How to Enhance Your In-Flight Dining Experience
Even though Vistara provides a variety of meal options, there are a few things you can do to enhance your in-flight dining experience further. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure you make the most of your meal, no matter which cabin class you’re flying in.
Choose Your Seat Wisely
Where you sit on the plane can impact your dining experience. For instance, in business class, you might want to select a seat closer to the aisle if you prefer faster access to the meal service. Similarly, in premium economy, try to choose seats that give you easy access to the galley if you want your meal served quickly.
Pre-Order Special Meals
If you have dietary restrictions or specific meal preferences, I highly recommend pre-ordering your meal. Vistara allows passengers to request special meals for their flights, including options like vegetarian, gluten-free, or low-sodium meals. This is particularly useful if you’re traveling on longer flights or have specific needs.
Simply make your request while booking your flight or reach out to customer service in advance.
Take Advantage of the Drinks
In premium economy and business class, don’t forget about the wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available. Wine pairings with meals can elevate the entire dining experience, and Vistara’s selection of beverages is thoughtfully curated. You can even request cocktails or your favorite drink to enjoy with your meal.
Pack Snacks for Long-Haul Flights
Although meals in premium economy and business class are usually filling, if you’re flying on a long-haul journey, you might get hungry between meal services. It’s a good idea to bring along your own snacks for that in-between time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether you’re flying in economy, premium economy, or business class, Vistara offers a well-rounded in-flight meal experience. While meals are complimentary in most cases, the level of service and menu options depend on your cabin class.
- Economy class provides light snacks or meals for some fare types.
- Premium economy steps it up with hot meals, snacks, and refreshing beverages.
- Business class offers gourmet, multi-course meals paired with premium drinks, making it a truly luxurious experience.
With pre-ordering options, seat selection tips, and a wide range of beverages to choose from, you can make the most of your in-flight dining experience with Vistara. Whether you’re flying short distances or long-haul, these meals are designed to enhance your overall journey and make you feel well taken care of.
FAQs About Vistara’s In-Flight Meal Service
1. Does Vistara provide free meals on all flights?
Vistara offers free meals depending on the class of service and the fare type you book. In economy class, free meals are available on Value, Standard, and Flexi fares. However, Lite fares do not include complimentary meals. In premium economy and business class, you will receive a full complimentary meal as part of your ticket.
2. Can I pre-order a special meal on Vistara?
Yes, Vistara allows passengers to pre-order special meals. You can choose from a range of dietary requirements such as vegetarian, gluten-free, or low-sodium meals. Simply request your special meal when booking your flight or contact customer service in advance.
3. What kind of meals are served in Vistara’s business class?
In business class, you can expect gourmet multi-course meals. The menu includes appetizers, main courses (such as grilled meats, seafood, or curry), and desserts. Meals are complemented by a selection of premium wines, spirits, and cocktails to enhance your dining experience.
4. Are alcoholic beverages free in business class?
Yes, in business class, you will enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages, including fine wines, spirits, and signature cocktails. The selection is carefully curated to pair well with your meals.
5. Do I need to pay for meals on Vistara flights?
It depends on the class of service and fare type. In economy class, meals are complimentary with some fare types (Value, Standard, and Flexi). However, if you choose a Lite fare, you may need to purchase food onboard. In premium economy and business class, meals are always included.
6. Can I bring my own food on Vistara flights?
Yes, you are allowed to bring your own food on Vistara flights. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that certain food items, such as liquids or gel-based products, may be subject to security restrictions. Always check with Vistara or the airport’s guidelines before bringing items onboard.
7. How are meals served in economy class?
In economy class, meals are typically served as light snacks or simple meals (such as sandwiches, chips, and fruit) depending on the duration of your flight. Longer flights may feature more substantial meal options, especially on Value, Standard, or Flexi fares.
8. Are there vegetarian meal options on Vistara flights?
Yes! Vistara offers vegetarian meal options in all cabin classes, and you can select this choice when booking your ticket or by pre-ordering a special meal.