Monarch trials new food and drink to boost your mood

Budget airline Monarch is trialling new food and drink options which it claims will enhance the well-being of passengers.

The menu, which will be available on Gibraltar flights, was chosen with food psychologist Professor Charles Spence and features ingredients to get travellers in the holiday mood.

It includes green tea and lavender-flavoured mochi rice cakes to boost relaxation before take-off, and a blend of herbal tea with chamomile, fennel seeds and kelp to combat bloating and aid digestion.

Passengers can also boost their immune system with echinacea and liquorice ice cream, and raise their energy levels as they arrive at their destination with a sweet caramelised nut bar coated in umami-rich mushroom and tomato powder.

The black ice cream "distracts passengers from their chaotic journey", Prof Spence said. He added that the texture of the rice encourages chewing, which can reduce tension.

A survey of 2,000 British holidaymakers commissioned to mark the launch of the new snacks found that more than a third (39%) of people cite the stresses of travelling as their biggest holiday mood killer, second only to bad weather (43%).

Monarch chief operating officer Nils Christy said: "We know how precious time on holiday is, so are delighted to be able to listen to our customers' needs and trial the Monarch mood food box this summer, enabling more people to relax, feel good and start enjoying their holiday from the moment they get to the gate."

The box is available on some flights from Luton to Naples, Gibraltar and Malaga, and could be rolled out further if it proves popular with passengers.