Soaring variety in in-flight meals is giving a lift to ready-to-eat brands

Poha to biryani, instant food firms have a full plate as airlines focus on in-flight experience

When Prateek Bhagchandka travels on any of the major airlines in India, he observes the meal options of other passengers closely. If they select a food item from Meal of the Moment (MOM), he tries to see if they finish it entirely. As co-founder and CEO of MOM, a ready-to-eat brand launched some five years ago, Bhagchandka’s interest in people’s in-flight meal choices is understandable.

When it first entered the market, MOM started supplying instant poha to GoAir (now rebranded Go First) while also finding its feet in retail. Today, MOM (the name was given by Mugdha, co-founder and Bhagchandka’s