Here’s What Airplane Food Looks Like On Different International Airlines
Most of us decide what airline we're flying based on price, time, and whether or not we need that advertised "extra leg room" for that four-hour flight (we always do). But let's be real, the food on the flight can make or break the whole experience. Even if you're seated between a crying baby and a guy that snores, as long as the steak tartare was tender and flavorful we're giving this trip five stars.
Here's what different international airlines have to offer in terms of in-flight cuisine. I'm not saying that you should pick your airline based on this but... maybe consider it.
TUI UK Airlines Meal Hit The British Nail On The Head
When we think of British food we either think of fish and chips or Shepherd's pie, so naturally, TUI UK Airlines provided us with a fantastic Monty's BBQ bourbon beef pie and fries. Now that's pub fare I wouldn't mind eating in the sky.
Air Vanuatu Brought The Peri-Perfection
For those of us who aren't super familiar with Vanuatu, it's a small island country located in the South Pacific Ocean near Fiji and New Zealand. For this 2.5 hour flight, the flyer chose Peri-Peri chicken with rice, and Lamington for dessert, which they said was "great." Well, that's just Peri-Peri Perfect.
Turkish Airways Had Some Frozen Salad
On this Turkish Airlines flight, this flyer got some mushroom pasta which they said was "surprisingly okay considering the sauce looked like Stargate SG-1 Tantalus prison gunk." They also thought the salad was frozen and thawed so maybe this was an intergalactic flight stocked with frozen food to last after all.
Fly Norwegian Gave It Their All With Gluten-Free Options
This meal from Fly Norwegian is the well-balanced and gluten-free meal that some health-conscious and dietary-restricted flyers want. The chicken with mole sauce, vegetables, and sweet potatoes left this diner feeling as snug as a bug in a rug. Or, a mole in a hole.
Singapore Airlines Divided, Conquered, And Seasoned
In this economy meal on Singapore airlines, the potatoes and fish are probably better seasoned than most food you've eaten in the past week. And can you see that adorable little peel-off water cup? That by itself is worth the trip.
This Business-Class Singapore Airlines Flight Meal Is Too Pretty To Eat
Not all food is created equally, and that's pretty apparent when it comes to in-flight airline food. This business-class meal from Singapore Airlines definitely contrasts the economy one above and is way more gourmet than most restaurants and is probably the only meal you'll eat in the future that looks like a flower.
Cathay Pacific Was Specifically Great
Just look at that gorgeous little bun in the sun and tell me that's not a meal you'd gladly eat on your next flight. On this Bangkok to Hong Kong flight via Cathay Pacific, this flyer was treated to some delicious chicken and rice as well as a dragonfruit salad that we're all salivating over.
This Australian Airlines Spread Looks First Class But It's Economy!
Sometimes you truly do get more than you bargained for. That's the case with this delicious looking Mediterranean spread from Australian Airlines' economy class. This plate has hummus, tabouleh, baba ganoush, mutable, stuffed vine leaves, and an assortment of cheeses and salads. Going down under never looked so high class.
Bulgaria Air Shook Things Up And Didn't Supply Chicken And Rice
This was a business class flight on Bulgaria Air, mind you, but it's cool to see that not every option includes a version of chicken, rice, or pasta. Here we have a pastry basket, a deconstructed omelet with bacon, egg, and tomato, and some assorted cheeses. Now, this is a breakfast of champions.
Delta Dealt Us A Win
On this Delta flight, this flyer was treated absolutely right. This lemongrass chicken over red curry coconut rice and steamed veg is paired nicely by an almond slaw and, of course, a Sauvignon Blanc. Because a good white is just required with a meal of this caliber.
Philippine Airlines Didn't Get Full Marks For This Dish
You can't win them all, and that was the case on this Phillippine Airways flight. This flyer said their pasta dish looked like "industrial waste" and honestly, I see the resemblance but wish I didn't. Hopefully, it didn't taste as toxic as it looked.
I Would Die For This Delta-Sized Ben & Jerry's
This meal looks good on the whole but the real star is that adorable little cookie dough ice cream container. I would be so excited about that I'd forget that I'm even on a flight in the first place.
Alaska May Be Cold, But Alaska Airlines' Food Is Hot
This is the harvest salad and protein platter from Alaska Airlines. Even though they paid $18 for the meal, this flyer said they enjoyed every bit of it. Alaska may have bears but it's good to know they have good airline chefs.
This New Year's Eve Meal From United
Look, nobody wants to spend New Year's in the sky away from their friends and family, but this United Airlines' meal is a decent consolation prize. This buffalo mac n cheese looks like a pretty good New Year's kiss too.
Business Class On Air Portugal Has Some Memorable Butter
This business class flyer on Air Portugal reported that they loved the veal, the chocolate dessert was great, and the service was incredible. Now, I have to say, even though the food looks delicious the real star is definitely that spiraled butter. Wow.
American Air Proved You Can Eat Surf And Turf Even In The Middle Of The Sky
This business class flight on American Airlines really puts the glamor in flying by doing all this. The steak and fish look great, the potatoes look well-seasoned, and the salad definitely has a cucumber that doesn't look frozen. Bravo.
EVA Air Served Us Up Some Congee
This is truly a spread fit for a king! Or at least a frequent flyer. On EVA Air this passenger was treated to congee as well as an assortment of Taiwanese style side dishes. Now that's variety in the sky..."skyriety."
Royal Air Maroc Brought The Royal Treatment To Business Class
For this passenger's hour and 35-minute flight from Lisbon to Casablanca on Royal Air Maroc, they were served a delicious spinach lasagna, a roll, a bag of almonds, and a cake with custard. That's like living a condensed version of the palace lifestyle!
Air Canada Came Through With Tender Steak
On this first-class flight, Air Canada reportedly delivered a first-class meal. The flyer said their steak was "juice and tender." That praise is usually only reserved for fresh steaks so I'm wondering where the cow sat on the flight.
Korean Air Delivered DIY Bibimbap
Food is always made to your tastes if you make it yourself. That was clearly the idea behind this delicious "make-it-yourself" bibimbap feast on Korean Air. The flyer said the assembly stopped it from getting too greasy, and that's all I needed to hear because now nothing's stopping this meal from getting into my mouth. Well, maybe only a plane ticket.
It Was Hard For This Passenger To Find Nut-Free Options On Her Westjet Flight
If you have a nut allergy you know how difficult traveling can be. When you're enclosed in a small space with a lot of other flyers who could be eating nuts, you're bound to feel nervous. This passenger was told her Westjet meal "didn't contain nuts but they couldn't guarantee that it was nut-free" so she said she mostly ate the cheese. What a shame.
I Have A Hunch This Brunch On Asiana Airlines Was A Good Munch
For this six-hour flight on Asiana Airlines, this passenger got a brunch to remember. This egg scramble looks so fresh and healthy and the bun looks golden and perfect. If that's a mimosa I see, then this brunch is much better than the ones your friends post on Sunday on Instagram.
Swiss Airlines Missed No Opportunity To Try Their Hand At Japanese Cuisine
This traveler on a Swiss Airlines flight wasted no time noticing that their business class meal was a "Swiss interpretation of a Japanese breakfast." They might be referring to noodles which could be the miso soup and vegetables of a normal Japanese breakfast since I'm pretty sure croissants are French...
This Hawaiian Airlines Meal Is An Alo—homerun
This business-class meal on Hawaiian Airlines truly doesn't look like it was prepared in the sky. This curry and seaweed combo looks like it was made this morning by a local islander. Now, this is the kind of food standard we should lai down.
Air Canada Came In Hot With... Poutine!?
While you may not think of poutine when you think of gourmet airplane food, this Air Canada flight is out to prove you wrong. They served up some poutine takeaway style and with a giant KitKat bar just to show you that your after-bar favorites are the perfect comfort food for long flights.
Qantas Airlines Made This Flyer Feel Quite Full
Don't underestimate it—airplane food can actually be pretty filling. This flyer showed us that not all airlines serve you soda and nuts, but will give you a big portion of delicious salmon on brown rice and greens. It's a good thing too because a food coma will definitely help you sleep through your flight.
Turkish Airways Provided A Spread (No, Not Extra Legroom)
This incredible spread is courtesy of a buffet that Turkish Airlines offers in their business class section. Having an assortment of soup, dips, and little delicate sides is definitely the way I want to travel. I'll probably never afford it, though.
Christmas Dinner On Singapore Airlines
Nobody wants to spend the holidays traveling more than actually seeing our families, but this Christmas dinner makes it a little better. Singapore airlines definitely tried to provide its holiday flyers with a little Christmas spirit with their festive cake and yummy looking prawns and egg noodles dish.
That's A Wrap On Asiana Air
Even though this looks like an In-N-Out animal style burger, this cuisine is anything but fast food. This is bulgogi ssam served with fresh veg wraps and banchan on this Asiana Airlines flight. All I can say is that I hope other airlines step up their game after seeing this.
Aegen Airlines Provided This Simple And Sumptuous Looking Breakfast
This breakfast from Aegon Airways looks like it was ripped right off the page of a cooking magazine. Those eggs are glowing, those tomatoes are cute little circles, and the fruit and yogurt are nice little heart-healthy additions. This definitely makes flying much better.