An Inside Look at Airline Food: From Source to Serve

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a once-in-a-while traveler, the quality and variety of food served on planes can significantly impact your flight experience.

How Airline Food GetsCooked and Served

Airline food is not just pre-packaged or served cold; there is a complex process behind the scenes. Some airlines maintain their own catering facilities at their base stations, while others rely on contracted caterers or even other airlines for their meals.

For those without in-house operations, local caterers are contracted. These can be commercial companies based at the airport that specialize in making and delivering all food and beverage items to the flight, adhering to airline specifications and budgets.

Contracted suppliers often produce a range of food items for flight catering, including pre-packaged meals like instant noodles, cold cut sandwiches, or cooked entrees. These meals may be pre-sorted and pre-packaged before the flight for convenience, or served directly on the aircraft after adding hot water or heating.

Quality and Variety Across Airline Classes

The quality and variety of in-flight food can indeed vary notably between different classes. Economy class passengers might find the quality and quantity of food to have deteriorated over the years, sometimes serving up a less than appetizing offering.

By contrast, first and business class passengers generally still receive decent hot meals, though at a premium.

Some airlines go as far as to ensure certain companies supply their meals. For instance, rumors suggest that Purina might supply the meal packages for some United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and American Airlines flights.

Specialized Caterers and High-Quality Meals

Not all catering companies are the same, and some are renowned for their quality. One notable example is the company that provides meals for Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines, often considered to offer some of the best in-flight food experiences.

Whether it’s Subway cuisine from Canada or another reliable caterer, flying first class can often mean better-tasting food.

Conclusion

The quality and variety of in-flight food are just as important as any other aspect of your travel experience. Whether you’re a budget-conscious economy class flyer or a premium class passenger, understanding who is cooking your meal and where it comes from can help enhance your overall flight satisfaction.

So, next time you take to the skies, you might just have a better appreciation for the journey you've taken.