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Sustainability takes off: Korean Air adds plant-based meal containers

By Mark Reif Nov 29, 2025 7:30 AM

Korean Air aircraft — Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

Korean Air will bring sustainability to the skies with plant-based meal containers, replacing the ones it’s used for the past two decades. The rollout starts in December with containers made from non-wood pulp sources, including sugarcane, straw, and bamboo. The initiative is another step in the airline’s quest to meet its global carbon reduction goals. Korean Air hopes to implement the containers across its network by the end of 2026.

The plant-based containers mark a step toward more sustainable in-flight dining

Korean Air will use the eco-friendly containers for main entrées, specifically for Korean and Western meals in the economy cabin. Made from pulp requiring no trees, the containers are also tough, providing durability and strong heat resistance. The airline expects the containers to offer a 60% reduction in related carbon emissions.

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“This transition to new in-flight meal containers is an essential long-term investment in environmental protection and sustainable operations,” said a Korean Air representative. “We remain committed to advancing our sustainability initiatives, aligning with global decarbonization trends in aviation, and delivering greater value to our customers.”

The new containers are part of the airline’s long-term strategy to implement environmentally friendly initiatives. Past examples include the introduction of bamboo-based cutlery and bamboo fiber napkins in 2023. Upcycling is also a part of the plan, with retired crew uniforms transformed into medical pouches, or worn out in-flight blankets repurposed into hot-water bag covers.

Korean Air is a top-20 global carrier and transported over 23 million passengers in 2024. Incheon International Airport (ICN) serves as its main hub, and the airline reaches five continents, 39 countries, and 116 cities with a fleet of 164 aircraft and more than 20,000 employees.

Mark Reif is a storyteller focused on the intersection of outdoor culture, travel, and design. From the peaks of Banff to the… Read Full Bio

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