The 'in'famous Virgin Atlantic Salt and Pepper Shakers

Remember these? Some of you might do and have a pair at your homes. These are the famous Aeroplane design Salt and Pepper shakers Virgin Atlantic put out in the Upper Class of their flights for 12 years. Designed by an in-house team, thousands of them got pinched and it became a collectible item. I for one never got one (sigh!). They became so popular that VS had to put out the pinched from Virgin Atlantic stamp on these, but they still kept going. Now October 2011, VS decided to discontinue them.

But the good news is, they’ve replaced them with a new brilliant Cocktail designed Salt and Pepper shakers which are now on board the Upper Class. Have a look!

The new Cocktail Salt'nPepper Shakers

Alright, these look contemporary, but Virgin Atlantic claims they will be closely guarded by the cabin crew, and requested these may not be pinched. Now who knows if they really mean it or if this is a promotional gimmic. I still find the aircraft shaped ones lovely!

So, time you guys tell me if this is better than the first one or not….and more importantly, do you plan to pinch these ones?

I am aware that an airline executive once made the famous suggestion to nick off one olive from each meal served, and the airline saved about $40,000 on those olives per annum. I am writing this post 33,000 feet in the air on a BOM-DEL flight 9W 361. Here is a little game for you to play, the good old find the difference types:

The first picture above you’ll see is from a BOM-MAA Jet Airways flight in April 2011, which was serving dinner. The next one is from today on the BOM-DEL route where I again was served dinner. Have you been able to find out about 5 differences between the two? Take your time. Now list down your answers below in the comments section. And scroll down for my findings…

Since all such games are supposed to print their answers along … here is what I noticed today, after returning on a Jet Airways flight after a few days:

1. The portion size got smaller
2. The pickle is gone
3. The napkins have changed to paper tissues, the Bon Appetit message goes away along
4. The salt and pepper is gone
5. 300 Ml water bottles are now 200 Ml
6. Most importantly, the after mint is gone.

Now, I am not too fussed about the after mint. It was an add-on no one would miss just like the tamarind candy that went away long back. But I am perturbed with the other cuts, because it is a sign of things to come.  This is not a rant, and I am okay to buy myself a hot meal (a-la- SpiceJet), but then, at least I should have the option to buy a full meal rather than this little portion which would perhaps be the only meal I had in 12 hours if I were on a work trip! And I can’t see my favourite airline going downhill, because I am used to their high standards.

Dear Jet, who moved my cheese? Can I have it back please?

On my flight on Indigo from Mumbai to Delhi, here is how I got my meal served!

Guess what’s inside?