As of November 1 this year, passengers on flights over 3.5 hours in duration can expect hot meals onboard. Tajikistan’s Civil Aviation Agency announced that this decision aims to improve the level and quality of in-flight passenger service, ensuring hot meals are provided on flights to Tajikistan operated by both foreign and local airlines on long-haul and regional routes.

“Special attention has been given to airlines operating international routes, including Russian airlines such as Ural Airlines, S7 Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, UTair, and Yamal Airlines, which operate flights to and from Tajikistan.  In response to a proposal from the Civil Aviation Agency, these airlines have accounted for flight duration and expressed readiness to provide hot meals for passengers on board starting in the autumn-winter 2024-2025 season.  With this new measure, passengers on long flights will enjoy increased comfort, improving the quality of Tajik aviation services," says a statement released by the Agency on November 8. 

The Agency has directed inspection services at Tajikistan’s international airports to monitor compliance with these new requirements and report results regularly.

According to current standards, airlines are required to provide meals based on flight duration: up to 3 hours – a cold breakfast or dinner (depending on the time of day), along with beverages; between 3 and 6 hours – a light breakfast or dinner for economy-class passengers; and over 6 hours – multiple meal servings throughout the flight.

From 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, passengers should receive a full meal—breakfast, lunch, or dinner, depending on the time of day.  During nighttime hours (10:00 pm to 6:00 am), light snacks are acceptable.  

Thus, airlines operating flights longer than 3 hours are required to provide hot meals; airlines not adhering to this recommendation are seen as violating consumer rights.

A few years ago, passengers reached out to our editorial office with complaints that Russian airlines did not provide hot meals on long-haul flights, limiting service to light snacks.