Vegan Passenger Fed “Worst Meal Ever” on Virgin Atlantic 10-Hour Flight

Paul Booker, a 55-year-old vegan from Minehead, Somerset, was left shocked and disgusted after being served what he describes as the “worst meal ever” on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Cancun to London Heathrow. On the 10-hour flight, Paul opted for the included vegan breakfast but was appalled to receive a meager sandwich containing just three slices of vegetables — two pieces of courgette and a single slice of red pepper that appeared moldy.

The retired civil servant, who has followed a vegan lifestyle for 10 years, shared photos of the unappetizing sandwich on social media, calling it a “pitiful” offering on a flight that cost £600. When Paul showed the substandard meal to a flight attendant, she reportedly appeared embarrassed and admitted the meal was “unacceptable” before providing him with a fruit salad as an alternative.

Paul expressed frustration not only with the poor quality but also the limited options available onboard: “They only take a limited amount of specialist meals with them, and if those aren’t properly quality-checked before the flight, passengers have no choice but to accept it at 10,000 feet.” He also criticized Virgin Atlantic’s response to his complaint, saying the £100 voucher offered felt insufficient and failed to make him feel valued.

Virgin Atlantic issued an apology, emphasizing that they expect all customers—including those with dietary restrictions—to receive food that meets their usual high standards. A spokesperson added that the airline takes such feedback seriously and has shared it with their catering teams to improve future service.