Passengers on Toronto flight told to eat meals with their hands or go hungry

Passengers on board a Toronto flight from Liberia, Costa Rica were shocked to learn they couldn't eat after the carrier reportedly ran out of cutlery.

The issue on board Porter Airlines Flight PD784, which departed Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport on March 19 and arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport around 10:30 p.m., left travellers unable to eat during the nearly five-hour flight. 

Many passengers, including families likely returning from a March Break getaway, were shocked by the discovery.

Alina Katsev, a mother travelling home with her three children, recounted what happened on the flight. 

"The flight attendant came to our row, and we asked for cheese plates and Mr. Noodle," she told blogTO. "This is when we were told that they only have one cheese platter and no cutlery."

Katsev said the cabin crew did search for cutlery but returned to inform the family that none was available, so their order couldn't be served.

Porter Airlines offers an in-flight menu with items available for purchase. Katsev notes that other options, including rice, were available but required cutlery, so they couldn't be served either.

Katsev said that no apology was offered for the inconvenience and questioned why there were no utensils on board. "They told us that the flight to Liberia used everything they had, and so, nothing was left for the flight home." 

"PD784 inadvertently had less cutlery onboard the aircraft than what is typically supplied," a Porter representative confirmed to blogTO. "Once all cutlery was distributed, passengers still had the option to purchase other food items while inventory was available, such as sandwiches, a cheese and crackers plate, and a variety of snack items."

They emphasized that customer satisfaction is a top priority for the airline, which was recently ranked as one of the best airlines in North America. 

"We are proactively increasing the amount of cutlery that will be carried on board to better ensure we can provide a consistent experience," the rep added.