Last week, AirAsia flew us to explore some of the beautiful tourist destinations in Leyte.
We arrived at the airport two hours early—plenty of time to relax before our flight. Everything went smoothly and on time, which built up our excitement to board and settle into our assigned seats.
Right after the standard inflight safety instructions, the flight attendants began distributing meals. Since the flight from Manila to Tacloban takes just over an hour, food service started promptly.
Gone are the days when inflight meals felt like a luxury. AirAsia has changed the game. Through their Santan inflight menu, they’ve made good food more accessible with affordable sips and bites perfect for the summer. Their commitment to democratizing air travel clearly extends beyond ticket prices: it’s a full experience, even 30,000 feet above the ground.
For my first try, I went with the Cheese Puff and Pain au Chocolat, paired with a hot cup of coffee. I only ate the Cheese Puff since I already had breakfast and, honestly, my stomach wasn’t quite ready for a heavy meal that early in the morning.
Surprisingly, the Cheese Puff was filling enough to keep me energized for the flight—no chance of falling asleep! AirAsia also gave us a pack of The Best Santan Latte, which we could conveniently brew at the hotel. It’s a thoughtful touch that lets the Santan experience go beyond the skies.
When we landed at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban, we received a warm welcome at the VIP Lounge—especially for us in the media, including me representing LionhearTV. For four days, we toured around Leyte, and every destination left a mark. (I’ll be sharing more about that in upcoming articles.)
Now, back to the Santan Menu. On our return flight to Manila, we were once again served inflight meals—this time for dinner. The dish? Bacolod Chicken Inasal by JT’s Manukan.
I’ve eaten their Inasal several times before, and I can confidently say it never disappoints—juicy, flavorful, and tender. The meal came with atsara (pickled papaya), which completed the experience. And while I’m not usually a coffee lover, the iced latte served with the meal was surprisingly good!
AirAsia’s Santan Menu is a standout feature—it ensures passengers won’t go hungry while traveling, and better yet, it won’t hurt your wallet.
Plus, there’s an added reason to support it: when you check out their online menu, you’ll see that Santan is also going green. They’ve started replacing single-use inflight plastics with biodegradable materials made from renewable sources like corn and cassava. This eco-friendly initiative is already in motion in Malaysia and Thailand, with plans to roll out across the entire AirAsia Group.
Affordable, delicious, and sustainable—Santan isn’t just an inflight menu. It’s a step toward a better flying experience.
