protect and maintain the product in the best possible condition, and it must also bt- attractive to the consumer. Wholesale packaging, i.e. the packaging required to transport the product from the producer or supplier to the flight provider, must meet certain requirements. The retail packaging, that is the packaging destined for the aircraft and that will be used by the fare-paying passenger, requires different considerations. These include the following:
Practical Good packaging must work, in that it should provide the right level of protection for the product, while at the-same time permit the product, to be readily accessible, particularly in the confined spaces of the aircraft cabin. It needs to contain the product in a convenient quantity, i.e. it should be easy to handle by the cabin crew and customer alike, and should satisfy the passengers but at the same time should avoid unnecessary waste. The materials used should have no harmful or sensory effects on the food and be suitable for storage at chilled and ambient temperatures, or for heating, if required. Inform Besides the legal requirements, the labelling needs to be effective arid informative, correctly identifying the product. It should not be misleading and should provide instructions for use.
Aesthetics The products must look attractive and fit in with the overall marketing strategy of the airline. In the economy class, foil containers and tray sets in some cases have been replaced by a more pleasing plastic version in more vibrant colours and oval shapes. Virgin has found that what their customers like to drink with their bacon butties is tea in a mug rather than in a cup.
Emotional appeal The image conveyed by the packaging must conform with the. overall image being developed and portrayed by the airline.