Tony Fernandes Comments on SIA Meals Spark Online Debate
AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes has stirred public reaction after publicly criticizing the in-flight meals served on a Singapore Airlines flight.
Quick facts
- Tony Fernandes posted his critique on social media on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
- Singapore Airlines was named World's Best Airline at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline awards.
- Fernandes claimed his own airline's food brand, Santan, is superior to the meals he received on his flight.
Why it matters
The public reaction highlights the differing priorities of modern air travelers, who often weigh service reliability and flight scheduling against ancillary amenities like catering. The tension between low-cost carrier branding and full-service legacy carrier expectations remains a frequent topic of debate in the aviation sector. It is not confirmed if Fernandes intends to make further public comparisons regarding airline operations.
AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes has ignited a social media discussion after sharing a critical review of the in-flight meals provided by Singapore Airlines (SIA). Fernandes, who flew on an SIA flight because he was unable to secure a seat on his own airline, praised the carrier's service and internet connectivity but labeled the food as poor.
What happened during the flight?
In a social media post shared on Thursday, October 1, 2026, Fernandes posted a photograph of his meal, which appeared to consist of noodles with beef and vegetables. While he acknowledged the overall quality of the flight, he stated that the food lacked the standards of AirAsia’s in-flight dining brand, Santan. Fernandes claimed that his own cabin crew agreed that Santan’s offerings were superior.
Why is it trending?
The remarks have drawn significant attention from online users, who have flooded the comments section of his post. While some travelers expressed support for Santan’s menu, many users pushed back against the comparison. A common theme in the responses was that while food quality is a factor, passengers often prioritize other operational metrics, such as flight punctuality and delay management, when choosing an airline.
How has the airline responded?
In response to inquiries regarding the comments, a spokesperson for Singapore Airlines stated that the company values all customer feedback. The airline reiterated its commitment to investing in and improving the total passenger experience. This incident occurs less than two weeks after Singapore Airlines received the title of World's Best Airline at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline awards.
Frequently asked questions
What did Tony Fernandes say about Singapore Airlines?
Tony Fernandes praised the service and internet connectivity on his Singapore Airlines flight but described the food served as poor, claiming that his own airline's dining brand, Santan, offers a superior in-flight meal experience.
Why was Tony Fernandes on a Singapore Airlines flight?
According to his social media post, Fernandes chose to fly with Singapore Airlines because he was unable to secure a seat on an AirAsia flight at the time.
How did netizens react to the comments?
Social media users were divided. While some agreed that Santan food is of high quality, many others pointed out that punctuality and flight delays are more significant concerns for passengers than the quality of in-flight meals.
Has Singapore Airlines responded to the feedback?
Yes, an SIA spokesperson stated that the airline welcomes all customer feedback and remains committed to continuously investing in and enhancing the end-to-end customer experience for all passengers.
When did this event happen?
Tony Fernandes shared his comments via an Instagram post on Thursday, October 1, 2026. The story gained further traction as users continued to discuss the comparison throughout October 2.
Is there a rivalry between the two airlines?
While both companies operate in the same region, they serve different market segments. This specific exchange focused on the personal experience of the AirAsia co-founder rather than a formal corporate dispute between the two entities.
In this story
Sources
- South China Morning Post: AirAsia chief mocks Singapore Airlines’ food – and social media hits back
- AsiaOne: 'Food was poor': AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes praises Singapore Airlines service, but not its inflight meal
- The Star: Netizens weigh in after Fernandes says AirAsia's food better than Singapore Airlines'
Last checked Oct 2, 2026 at 11:15 PM. Trends move fast, so details may change. How we work
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