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Qantas unveils new menu to fight jet lag during long-haul trips

With Qantas' highly-anticipated 17 hour non-stop service from Perth to London edging closer to its first ever flight, the airline has released its new onboard menu designed to improve passengers' wellbeing.

Chilli and chocolate are the two ingredients which have been carefully selected for the groundbreaking flight on March 24 following help from the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre whose extensive team has created a balanced diet to relieve any inflight discomforts.

Chilli is a prominent feature on the menu for its vitamin C and its ability to tackle sinus congestion. It also helps with digestion and helps ease muscle and joint pain.

Aside from its obvious draws, chocolate features on the menu for its inflammation-fighting properties, The West Australian reported.

Chilli is a running theme throughout the menu to help with passengers' sinuses. Source: Qantas
Chilli is a running theme throughout the menu to help with passengers' sinuses. Source: Qantas

"Working with clinical sleep specialists, nutritionists and metabolic scientists, we’ve designed new menu options using delicious ingredients that have added benefits of hydration, aiding sleep and reducing jet lag," celebrity chef Neil Perry, who is the airline’s creative director of food, beverage & service, said.

The menu is designed to encourage sleep at certain times during the flight to reduce jet lag and is helped by a specific drinks list.

A lemon verbena chamomile and lemongrass tea from Qantas and tea producer Dilmah is included to help with relaxation.

Qantas has teamed up with the University of Sydney to create the new menu. Source: Getty
Qantas has teamed up with the University of Sydney to create the new menu. Source: Getty

While a hot chocolate drink is handed to passengers with the sleep inducing amino acid Tryptophan helping travellers nod off with ease.

"The menu we are trialling on the Perth to London route will continue to offer a selection of customer favourites but it has some special ingredient additions and exclusions," Perry added.

Business passengers have a choice of a range of fresh meals including this quinoa salad. Source: Qantas
Business passengers have a choice of a range of fresh meals including this quinoa salad. Source: Qantas

One of those additions is the ever-popular tuna "poke" bowl offering passengers a lighter, fresh meal option.

Charles Perkin Centre academic director Stephen Simpson said the menu has taken into consideration the latest scientific knowledge on nutrition and hydration to make the long-haul flight as comfortable as possible.

And economy will also benefit from a revamped menu meals with the introduction of a roast chicken dish with red rice, Mediterranean vegetables and soy beans.

While business flyers can look forward to a poached egg, kale, quinoa, grilled haloumi, pistachio and green tahini dressing combination.