Microwaved Curry Goes "Boom"

Add curry to the list of substances that can cause problems onboard an airliner.

British Airways has imposed a ban on its staff from microwaving their own food onboard its planes, after a flight attendant's prepackaged meal ignited at FL350.

The resulting fire "lasted only a couple of seconds," according to a British Airways spokesman. But that was enough to cause some $48,000 in damage to the interior of the Boeing 747, which was enroute to Miami from London Heathrow on April 30.

At no time were passengers in danger, the spokesman stressed to Reuters, but "as a precaution a specialist extinguisher was used in the microwave."

To speed up the serving of passenger meals, the commercial-grade microwaves onboard airliners are twice as powerful as home units, according to Ananova. The airline has circulated a memo telling employees they shouldn't use the units to heat up their own meals, which are often purchased prepackaged at supermarkets or airport concession stands.

"Many cabin crew like to bring their own meals to eat," an unnamed BA employee told the news service. "At first we thought the microwaves were a godsend. But this unfortunate incident has left us with egg on our faces."

And the stench of burnt curry in the passenger cabin. That couldn't have been pleasant.

FMI: www.britishairways.com