Business and First Class Long Haul Flight Food Review
While most people don’t enter the aircraft to experience a 5 star dining experience, some in-plane dining can leave one wondering “would I be better spending extra money on a cheese box in Starbucks before I board this plane?” Here’s the down-low on which path to take!
Delta
Delta is almost always on point with their menu selections for international long haul flights. I love the printed menus on beautiful paper they hand you as you first take your seat. Expect to be greeted with a sparkling wine, and the classic warm nuts when you board. I feel like I’m instantly transported to the 1950’s with the glamorous illustrations of full meal service. The selected appetizer is always a delicious few bites. A typical offering was a few beautiful shrimp; I was questioning how fishy it would be, but the flavors were clean, fresh and well balanced. The main entrée choice is usually a few choices of beef, chicken, lamb or lobster and vegetarian. Delta even does a nice job with the steak, which is a challenge to hold properly without it overcooking or turning grey. I also love their excellent sauces.
Delta is also very accommodating to those with dietary preferences. You can pre-request a vegetarian meal (or vegan, Hindu, kosher, halal, etc.) but they also can provide a vegetarian meal on site if you haven’t pre-ordered. Wine choices are always great with as many refills as you could (or should want). The vegetarian meal never feels like an after thought that they threw together, you can taste the passion and love the selected chef designed for the menu.
Usually after the entrée course I’m so full and sleepy I doze off in the comfort of the lay-down seat and miss dessert. I have had really amazing flight attendants save me my dessert of cheese plate for later. I am always amazed at all of the tasks the fantastic attendants manage, like serving, comforting the passengers, and looking out for our safety.
Breakfast and snack have great options too. The attendants are there to make sure you are always full and happy. I generally wake up late as I can just to sit back up, munch on a yummy croissant, sip some pick me up coffee and get ready to start my journey on the right foot!
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is a fantastic option for someone like myself who loves to plan the ins and outs of upcoming journeys. You can select your menus choices and even “Book the Cook” weeks before boarding your flight. The authentic flavors of the flight make for a really fun experience of destinations to come. Singapore Air tailors the menu to destinations you’re going to like Japan or Korea or you can alternatively select flavors from their native Singapore. I really enjoyed selecting a different menu for every leg of each flight. My favorite items being dim sum, noodles and sushi. Being a Hindu vegetarian is no challenge on this airline or if you enjoy some spicy healthy options. Once I was laughed at by the flight attendant for asking for a mimosa on one of my flights with a comment of “isn’t it early to be drinking?” as he begrudgingly opening a bottle of champagne for me. I didn’t think it was too early for a mimosa on vacation but maybe it was a cultural thing or a personal judgment?
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian air is one of my favorite airlines for ambiance and style. The moment you enter you already feel like you are immediately transported to tropical paradise due to the art on the walls, lighting, orchids designs and color style. However there is not much to write home about for food choices. You don’t get many, if any choices of menu options. The given meal is always a bit suspect, usually some mystery meat in a stuffed roll. It’s somewhat authentic but also very unappealing. The highlight of the meal is signature Mai Tai drink. If you are vegetarian or vegan absolutely forget any sort of accommodations… they will let you starve. So most definitely pick up some poke pre-boarding or a yummy seaweed salad to remember your special moments spent in the islands.
British Airways
Honestly on my first trip to England I did not have an amazing food experience so on my first class flight to Greece via London I was expecting the worst from British Airways. Was I ever wrong; they delivered a great birthday surprise! To start the flight, I was handed a glass of champagne in a beautiful modern design glass along with my hot towel. The choice of starters was very lovely from caviar canapés to asparagus soup. I had pre ordered my entrée a filet of beef with a red wine sauce served on a beautiful plate. It was difficult to choose from the selections of hot teas along with the delectable tea sandwiches and scones. How perfectly proper!
I would say that the breakfast is VERY English style with baked beans touching every other item on the plate, something I can just never get used to. Continental breakfast is the way to go for your morning meals.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
When I am on a KLM flight I always wonder why I don’t fly them even more and I envy the Dutch locals a bit. Everything about them is just perfect in every way. I adore the flight attendants’ uniforms and their cheerful manner. There is also a great variety of wines and liquors from around the world. The choice of salmon, beef, or chicken was beautifully presented on custom designed trays that match the menu, and the napkin set. I feel pretty healthy after my meal on KLM, since there are a good amount of vegetables and fresh ingredients incorporated into the dishes. In a very Dutch fashion I had a Gouda cheese sandwich as a snack that hit the spot. I still have the Row house collectable alcohol bottle that you can choose at the end of the flight.
AirItalia
The meal experience with Alitalia was pretty good, a typically Italian meal that exceeded my expectations. Italians hold quality of ingredients to a high standard so the bread, vegetables and dessert were all pretty tasty. I enjoy the pork dishes that always seem to be on the menu; as Italians don’t have the same hang ups with pork as Americans seem to. I think pork works well for holding in this sort of setting. A vegetarian meal was not a problem and very filling for the long flight. The flight attendant and crew never seem happy to be there, they perform their duties but nothing more, nothing less. Once you get past the blasé vibe and the lack of service you can relax and get to your destination.
AirFrance
AirFrance has a beautiful selection of wine, which you might expect. Being part of the SkyTeam, occasionally I will have a leg on this airline returning home. The food is always pretty nice and the service close to impeccable in a very French standard. The beef can tend to be on the gamey side but the chicken is always very properly prepared unlike many overdone American based airlines that serve dried out chicken breasts. The sauces are always the star on your palate. Don’t skip the cheese course, always a treat. Did you know cheese produces the same kind of happy endorphins as some drugs? So just dive in and get ready for a nice relaxing sleep for the rest of your flight. And make sure you indulge in one last perfectly flakey chocolate croissant; you can start that vacation diet the next day!
American Airlines
Hands down the worst “first class” meal served with a scowl. I remember back in the day when I was in college flying back and forth to home they would serve you a TV tray style meal in coach… you remember the kind that comedians joked about on shows like Seinfeld. Well take me back to the past! On a flight a flew years ago I had the terrible luck of being switched from my double decker British Airways flight to their partner American. While I was bummed out about not experiencing my sky-high double decker adventure I thought “how bad could it be?” Don’t ask. The flight attendants looked pained to even be working. Usually you can get a smile out of someone with kindness and a few jokes but I had no luck; the service is decidedly not first class. I always believe you can taste the love someone puts in their cooking… it works the other way too apparently. A cat food disposable tin of mushy poorly seasoned food flopped in front of me. Long story short, don’t expect refills on wine, elegant service or gourmet bites. Just do yourself a favor, grab a meal in the airport or eat extra in the Amex lounge before boarding your long haul flight on this airline.