Boac Pacific Jet New

Christmas In The Air

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Millions of families sat spellbound i front of their radios on Christmas )ay as an airline captain described ow his passengers were at that loment enjoying their Christmas inner almost three miles above the cean.

That was in 1946 and the air avellers on the BOAC flying boat r ere among those that could be umbered in hundreds who were njoying the traditional meal in the ir.

Today the numbers total thousands, hey fly higher and faster, but the hristmas menu is virtually un langed.

As many as 5,000 Christmas meals ill be served in BOAC jets around e world this Christmas. Tradi- Dnally it is a day to be shared with e family, but there are people who ive to travel on Christmas Day.

BOAC cannot simulate the atmo here of a family around a roaring

fire—the favourite European image of Christmas day. But the airline does reproduce the meal faithfully.

The Christmas meal is not as com plex as most meals the BOAC chefs prepare each day. But as Kurt Hafner, BOAC’s aircraft catering super intendent in London, pointed out: “The desserts—mince pies and plum pudding—do call for a special skill.”

He added: “In many stations where the festival is not even celebrated the meals have to be sent from London.

But other stations like New York, Kingston and Hong Kong can supply everything except perhaps the Christ mas crackers and sweetmeats.”

The decorations help the atmo sphere. So do the Christmas crackers —specially manufactured to be non explosive.

In the end it is the meal that makes the day. The typical menu passengers will be enjoying in BOAC aircraft this year will be;

Smoked Scotch Salmon Clear Turtle Soup with Amontillado Roast Norfolk Turkey Braised York Ham Chestnut Stuffing Cranberry Sauce Buttered Green Vegetables Croquette Potatoes Christmas Pudding with brandy butter Mince pies—double cream Cheese tray Fruit basket Assorted Nuts Coffee Sweetmeats Christmas Crackers For flight crew and cabin staff on BOAC jets Christmas in the air is part of the job. They can enjoy the meal but are not able to, literally, enter into the “spirit” of the festival.

No alcohol on duty is one rule that is never relaxed for the flying staff— not even on Christmas Day.