Travel writer Miriam Porter recently reported on a very disappointing meal experience while flying Air Canada from Frankfurt to Toronto. Although she had pre-ordered vegan meals for the 10 hour flight a month in advance, when meal time came she was offered a bottle of water, a napkin, and a half-assed apology.

Eventually, a flight attendant managed to put together a “meal” of fruit and crackers for Porter, but couldn’t manage anything else. Air Canada has acknowledged the screw-up but hasn’t offered any compensation.

As a life-long vegetarian, I’ve had similar experiences flying for decades. Although I learned early on to pack my own food “just in case” they forgot the vegetarian or vegan meals, it’s frustrating to be on a a long haul flight and watch everyone else getting multiple hot meals all the same.