10 Things You Need To Know About In-Flight Meals

In-flight meals are a staple of air travel. They’re the only food you can eat on an airplane and come in many different varieties. The most common type of in-flight meal is “airline cuisine,” explicitly cooked for airlines and their customers. However, other in-flight meals are available: airport restaurants, flight attendants’ cafeterias, and even special menus designed for business travelers. These In-Flight Meals have become increasingly popular, with more people choosing them over traditional restaurant dining options. Here, we will examine ten things you need to know about In-Flight Meals.

1) Airline Cuisine

Airline Cuisine existed before World War II when some Airlines, such as Cathay Pacific, introduced their first menu featuring chicken croquettes, roast beef sandwiches, and chocolate cake. Since then, airline chefs have continued to develop new dishes while adapting classic favorites to suit modern tastes. Today’s airline cuisines tend to be lighter than those from decades ago but still offer plenty of variety, including salads, pasta, seafood, steaks, burgers, pizza, sushi, desserts, and much more. Many airlines now serve these meals in both economy class and premium cabins.

2) Meal Options & Pricing

When booking your next trip, the first thing to consider is what kind of in-flight meals you want to enjoy. There are two main categories of airline meals: airline cuisine and airport restaurants. Both provide excellent value for money, but each offers its benefits. Airport Restaurants usually cost less per person than airline cuisine because they don’t require planning. This makes them perfect if you travel during peak hours like holidays or busy times. Conversely, airline cuisine requires advanced reservations so that you won’t eat out of desperation. It may not seem like a big deal until you realize how expensive airport restaurants can get!

3) High-quality food

In-flight meals aren’t always low-cost. But this doesn’t mean they should taste bad, either. Cathay Pacific serves up delicious airline cuisine every day. Their signature dish, “Chicken Croquette,” comes highly recommended. Other famous airline foods include steak tartare, lobster bisque, and salmon teriyaki. If you prefer something healthier, try the salad bar to find fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, cheese, bread, meats, cheeses, dips, dressings, sauces, olives, pickles, etc. It ensures that you stay well-fed throughout your journey.

4) It’s in the packaging

When ordering an airline meal, expect to receive your meal packaged in individual containers rather than sharing plates. Cathay Pacific usually provides three meals: a Main Course, Desserts, and Beverages. Each container contains all the ingredients needed to make one serving. For example, if you order the Chicken Croquette, you’ll receive four containers containing rice noodles, meatballs, sauce, veggies, and herbs. Another benefit of obtaining your meals individually is that you can easily pack leftovers into your carry-on bag without worrying about spillage.

5) The Menu Changes Often

If you’ve ever flown with Cathay Pacific Airlines, you know that their menus change frequently. They often add new items based on local food trends or seasonal produce. Some popular additions include Thai curry soup, Korean BBQ ribs, and Mexican tacos. While it might sound fun to sample different flavors, remember that most airline meals come at a price tag. So unless you love spicy food, stick to tried-and-true classics instead. So, choosing the right type of airline meal is essential depending on your budget and preferences. When selecting between airline cuisine and airport restaurant options, several factors must be considered. These include quality, quantity, pricing, convenience, and overall experience. With careful research, you will select the best option for your needs.

6) Airplane Snacks

Airline snack packs are designed to give passengers some extra energy while flying. Cathay Pacific offers various healthy snacks, including granola bars, dried fruits, cookies, crackers, chips, pretzels, sandwiches, juices, water bottles, coffee/tea, and more. However, these snacks tend to be high in calories, which could leave you feeling bloated after consuming too many. Instead, opt for smaller portions of light snacks such as almonds, peanuts, raisins, grapes, apples, bananas, carrots, celery sticks, cucumbers, oranges, popcorn, yogurt, hummus, and other similar products.

7) No Refills

In-flight meals typically don’t have refills available. This makes sense because airlines want to ensure passengers have enough time to eat before boarding to avoid missing their flights. Also, since airline meals are prepared by chefs specializing in creating dishes using only the freshest ingredients, they’re not likely to spoil during transit. That said, if you do need additional servings, you may purchase them from the menu. Most airlines offer complimentary beverages but charge for alcoholic drinks. If you’d like something more substantial, ask your server what’s available.

8) It Can Be relatively price

The cost of airline meals varies widely among carriers. Generally speaking, premium economy fares are more pocket-friendly than first-class flights. However, even though economy tickets are less expensive, they still require travelers to pay for food. Airfare prices vary according to seasonality, distance traveled, and availability. As a result, you should always check out current fare deals when planning your next trip.

9) Food Is Served At Different Times

Most airlines serve meals around two hours before departure. Depending on where you sit, this timing may work well for you. However, you can request specific times to eat earlier or later. Ask your travel agent or call customer service directly to determine how long it takes to prepare your meal. This information helps you plan and avoid last-minute stress.

10) There Are Many Options Available

Inflight catering is served at any time throughout the day and night. The options range from simple nuts, candy, cookies, cakes, ice cream, cheesecake, pies, and desserts to full-service restaurants featuring menus. Inflight catering has become an essential part of modern aviation. Today, airlines use in-flight dining services to attract customers and boost revenue. Depending on the carrier, alcohol packages may or may not be included in the meal package. For example, American Airlines allows guests to order wine, beer, cocktails, spirits, and nonalcoholic beverages. Delta Air Lines does not allow alcoholic beverages to be ordered separately.

Conclusion

These are just ten things you need to know about airline meals. Hopefully, we’ve helped clear up some confusion surrounding airline meals. We hope our tips will help make your next journey easier!