To All American and European Airlines CEO and executives.

Especially:

Mr. Scott Kirby -

 CEO of United Airlines:

Mr. Torbjorn (Toby) Enqvist 

Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer (responsible for operations, including inflight operations):
 

Mr. John Slater
Senior Vice President, Inflight Services (responsible for all aspects of inflight operations, including service and standards):
 

United Airlines Inc.
Willis Tower
233 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois, 60606
United States

Subject: Request for Halal Meal Options on United Airlines Flights - Addressing Discrimination and Inclusivity

Dear Mr. Scott Kirby, Mr. Torbjorn Enqvist, and Mr. John Slater,

We are writing to express a significant concern regarding the meal options provided on United Airlines flights, specifically the lack of a dedicated "Muslim Meal" or "Halal" option. As a loyal customer, We have observed that while options like Kosher meals and various vegetarian meals (including "Asian Vegetarian," which is often understood as Hindu vegetarian) are available, there is no direct provision for Muslim passengers requiring halal-certified food.

The attached screenshot from your meal selection interface clearly demonstrates this omission, with no category for "Muslim Meal" or any option where we can specify our dietary preference for halal proteins.
When Muslim passengers inquire about halal meals, we are often directed to "Asian Vegetarian" or other general vegetarian options. This is problematic for several reasons:
  
Dietary Restrictions and Trust: Halal dietary laws specifically require that meat and other animal products are prepared according to Islamic guidelines. Vegetarian meals, while seemingly an alternative, do not always meet these requirements, particularly regarding cross-contamination or the use of non-halal ingredients in preparation (e.g., alcohol in sauces, or animal-derived ingredients in other components). Furthermore, a vegetarian meal does not provide the protein source that many passengers desire and expect, especially when other religious dietary options, like Kosher, include animal proteins.

 Misconception of "Asian Vegetarian": While "Asian Vegetarian" may cater to certain dietary needs, it is not synonymous with "Halal." Some ingredients or preparation methods in "Asian Vegetarian" meals, or even the general catering hubs, may not adhere to halal standards, leaving Muslim passengers with uncertainty about the contents of their food and often forcing them to go without.

 Discrimination and Inclusivity: The absence of a "Muslim Meal" option, when other specific religious dietary needs are accommodated, feels discriminatory and excludes a significant portion of your customer base. Providing a Kosher option, which also involves specific religious preparation, demonstrates United's capability and understanding of catering to diverse religious needs. It is imperative that this inclusivity extends to Muslim passengers as well.
We kindly request that United Airlines address this disparity by:

 Introducing a clear "Muslim Meal" or "Halal" option in your meal selection process, ensuring that these meals are genuinely halal-certified, including the source of proteins.
 - Providing transparency about the ingredients and preparation of all special meals, particularly for those with religious dietary requirements.
 - Educating your customer service and in-flight staff on the specific needs of Muslim passengers and the importance of halal certification.

We believe that providing proper halal meal options will not only demonstrate your commitment to diversity and inclusion but also significantly enhance the travel experience for your Muslim passengers worldwide.

Thank you for your time and attention to this critical matter. We look forward to your prompt and positive response.

Sincerely,