SriLankan Airlines has been recognized for its excellence in inflight dining, securing the ‘Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier – South Asia’ award at the 2025 PAX Readership Awards. The ceremony, held on 9 April in Germany, saw the airline triumph in a competitive category, as voted by aviation professionals worldwide.
The PAX Awards, organized by PAX International and PAX Tech magazines, are decided solely by industry peers, with more than 15,500 aviation experts participating in the selection process. The accolade highlights SriLankan Airlines’ commitment to delivering a high-quality culinary experience to passengers across its network.
Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Commercial at SriLankan Airlines, acknowledged the significance of the win, stating, “We are grateful to those who voted for us. Onboard dining is a vital part of the travel experience, whether for first-time flyers or regular passengers. Our team works diligently to incorporate passenger feedback, source fresh ingredients, and accommodate diverse dietary preferences while keeping our menus innovative.”
A Blend of Global and Regional Cuisines
The airline’s inflight menu reflects a mix of international dishes and region-specific offerings tailored to the South Asian market. Passengers traveling within India, the Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal can enjoy familiar flavors, including biriyani, masala-based dishes, idli, upma, samosas, and an array of curries such as palak paneer and butter chicken.
A consistent feature across all SriLankan Airlines flights is its ‘SriLankan Flavours’ menu, which showcases traditional dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Options include egg roti with paraw fish curry, dhunthel rice with classic curries, and lamprais—a Dutch-influenced Sri Lankan dish of rice and meat wrapped in banana leaves. The ‘SriLankan Flavours’ concept previously earned the airline the 2024 IFSA Best Inflight Food or Beverage Innovation Award.
Recognition from the Aviation Industry
The PAX Awards are widely regarded as a benchmark for excellence in airline services, with winners selected through a transparent voting process involving professionals from catering, inflight operations, and airline management. SriLankan Airlines’ latest win reinforces its reputation for culinary excellence in a region known for its rich and diverse food culture.
While inflight meals are often subject to logistical constraints, the airline has focused on maintaining quality and authenticity, ensuring that even at 35,000 feet, passengers receive a taste of home or an introduction to Sri Lanka’s culinary heritage.
The award comes as airlines globally continue to elevate their inflight dining programs, with passenger preferences playing an increasingly central role in menu development. For SriLankan Airlines, the recognition serves as validation of its efforts to balance tradition, innovation, and customer satisfaction in its food service offerings.
As the aviation industry evolves, awards like these highlight the importance of inflight experiences beyond just comfort and punctuality—proving that a well-curated meal can leave a lasting impression on travellers.
