Can you guess which airline has the BEST plane food?

Plane amazing

Planes aren't always known for great food, especially in economy. But for those in first class, the dining experience is completely different – think Michelin-starred dishes, celebrity executive chefs and in-flight sommeliers. Here are some of the most incredible first-class menus in the world.

Air France

If you’re traveling via Air France, the dishes served will often be the work of Michelin-starred chefs. Previous guests have feasted on delights such as braised beef, potato mousseline, plum chutney and tarragon breadcrumbs or roast chicken, spelt risotto and zucchini with green cardamom.

Luxaviation

If you’re lucky enough to be traveling by private jet with Luxaviation, you can choose whatever you want to eat. Whether you’re craving croissants, canapés or sushi – it’s no problem – the ‘in-flight dining choreographer’ will sort it out. There's even a special ‘doggie menu’ for those traveling with pets.

Lufthansa

In first class on a Lufthansa flight, food is served on fine china, there’s high-quality cutlery and drinks are poured from glass carafes. The food is suitably swanky too, with a caviar service, seasonal small dishes inspired by the airline's routes and a monthly changing wine list. A sample menu looks like saddle of veal in tuna sauce, followed by pear sorbet presented with Champagne, cod with beurre blanc for mains, layered chocolate crème brûlée and a selection of fine cheese.

Qantas

Qantas' First passengers are now treated to a string of dishes whipped up in partnership with Australian celebrity chef and restaurateur Neil Perry. Seasonality and artisan producers come to the fore in a menu that includes meals like pumpkin tortellini with roast chicken broth and asparagus or seared Cone Bay barramundi with herbed garlic potatoes and broccolini. Sommeliers in the Sky are on hand to help you with your wine pairings too.

Qatar Airways

In Qatar Airways’ smart Qsuite cabins, Champagne is served on arrival, as well as fruity mocktails and freshly brewed coffee and tea. Guests can request their meal at anytime during the flight. Feast on French toast with red berries and crème fraîche for breakfast, chicken tagine for dinner and classic pavlova with cream and fresh berries for dessert. Linen tablecloths and delicate fine bone china are a nice touch too.

Austrian Airlines

Coffee is serious stuff in Austrian Airlines' business class. As well as sumptuous food there’s a selection of Viennese speciality coffees to choose from, served alongside traditional Austrian cakes. If you’re in the market for something a little stronger, the skilled crew is pleased to advise on Austrian wines and international reds and whites to accompany your appetizer and main course.

SWISS

SWISS promises that you'll "dine as if you were in a gourmet restaurant" in its first class cabin. Since March 2022, the airline has been running the SWISS Taste of Switzerland program on its long-haul services, giving flying diners a sampler of some of Switzerland's best chefs. Offerings include dishes from Michelin-starred chef Patrick Mahler, of Lake Lucerne's Park Hotel Vitznau; plus vegan and vegetarian dishes created by Zurich's Hiltl restaurant, tipped as the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world.

Hawaiian Airlines

In the Premium Cabin on Hawaiian Airlines you’ll find island inspiration in the food and drinks, all designed by Hawaii’s top chefs. In the style of Hawaiian hospitality, expect a mai tai cocktail on arrival and lychee vodka martinis at your request. The dinner menu is also packed with regional cuisine: you might try smoked salmon and beet poke, soy braised beef short rib with bok choy, decadent chocolate hazelnut cheesecake or orange cream pies.

Emirates

Emirates is one of the most luxurious airlines, so it’s no surprise its first class à la carte menu is sublime. As well as a comprehensive cocktail, wine and spirits list, there’s fancy food aplenty. You can start with caviar on delicate melba toast or blinis, or antipasti including Wagyu bresaola. Follow up with mains such as pan-seared salmon trout and moreish desserts like orange frangipane tart or an assortment of fine cheeses.

La Compagnie

To keep things fresh and interesting, French all-business-class airline La Compagnie changes its menu every month. Onboard flights from Paris to New York passengers are served such delicious creations as roasted duckling in quince juice and pumpkin, and a seasonal cheese selection, all courtesy of chef Christophe Langrée. Feeling thirsty? The airline offers a lengthy beverage list with Champagne, wine, cognac and digestifs.

Etihad First Class

Meals in Etihad’s first class cabin are positively decadent with dishes influenced by the airline’s destinations. Options on the fine à la carte menu include eggs and steak that are cooked just-so and Arabic-style mezze. Best of all, you can dine whenever you want, and there's a curated wine list, plus a cognac service to round off your meal.

Philippine Airlines

Passengers in Philippine Airlines' business class are treated to a temping array of Western-style and Filipino- and Japanese-inspired dishes, with well-known chefs (such as Fernando Aracama) often getting involved with menus. High-flying diners can expect delicious morsels such as pan-fried halibut fillet with pesto sauce and herb-roasted carrots or black sesame and chicken soup. There's a fine selection of wine, beer and spirits to accompany your meal too.

Finnair

Finnair's menu marries Nordic culinary flair with inspiration from the destinations that the airline flies to. Thoughtfully curated strings of dishes will vary from flight to flight, but may include light cold plates like cold smoked salmon, pickled daikon and mussel mayonnaise, and warm dishes such as smoked rainbow trout or braised veal rump steak. Be sure to order a glass of the Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut too.

Air New Zealand

If you’re on traveling Business Premier with Air New Zealand, you’ll enjoy dishes developed by native chefs. On the menu is beef fillet with kumara and red onions cooked in balsamic, horseradish and beetroot chrain or chermoula-rubbed salmon with spiced cauliflower and cardamom couscous. Top-drawer desserts include a dark chocolate and hazelnut praline delice. Wine connoisseurs won't be left out as Air New Zealand also has a wine shop where you can purchase drinks you've sampled onboard after the flight.

All Nippon Airways

The food and drink offering in first class on All Nippon Airways has been created by over 20 chefs and sommeliers. Passengers can eat dishes inspired by international cuisine or make the most of the fact they’re on Japan’s largest airline. There's typically a range of Japanese specialities, such as deep-fried pork in breadcrumbs, seared blowfish and tonkotsu (pork broth ramen). Complete the meal with sake, shochu or Charles Heidsieck Champagne.

Garuda Indonesia

Luxury airline Garuda Indonesia promises a “private feast above the clouds” once you step into its first class cabin. Before take-off you'll be served Champagne, then dishes vary from Indonesian favorites to modern European plates like pan-fried Wagyu tenderloin and lobster sandwiches. The drinks selection includes vintage wines, cocktails, liqueurs, Champagne and premium teas and coffees from Indonesian plantations.

EVA Air

EVA Air’s Royal Laurel cabin brings a touch of class to mealtimes in the air. As well as enjoying Champagne, cold-pressed fruit juice and fine wine, passengers dine on steak, fresh lobster, local specialities and decadent desserts.

Singapore Airlines

You're promised "a restaurant setting" in the sky onboard Singapore Airlines' first class. There's a slew of international chefs on the airline's culinary panel, including three-Michelin-starred Georges Blanc, so dishes have global influences. On first class flights from New York, the menu might include grilled shrimp and scallops, seafood congee or slow-roasted beef fillet. The drinks selection is also top notch, with Krug, Dom Pérignon and more on the menu.

Japan Airlines

Michelin-starred chefs are behind the menus served at JAL BEDD, Japan Airlines’ "exclusive restaurant in the sky". In first class, flying diners might sample dishes, including Japanese-style chicken curry, soba noodles or donburi rice bowls, and sweets like macarons by chocolatier Jean-Paul Hevin. Plus, there’s Louis Roederer Cristal, one of the world’s oldest prestige Champagnes.

Thai Airways

On Thai Airways, passengers are treated like royalty in Royal First Class. You can now pre-select your meal before you fly, with tempting options such as chu-chee lobster (a kind of spicy lobster curry) and baked Chilean seabass with lobster bisque, served with polenta cake waiting for you in the sky. All the while, Champagne, top wines and brandy are free-flowing too.

Virgin Atlantic

Book a seat aboard Virgin Atlantic’s upper class to indulge in delicious cocktails, a great selection of dishes and plenty of scrumptious desserts. You'll get a glass of bubbly on arrival, then main menu highlights include dishes such as garlic and ginger shrimps and a breaded chicken breast with garlic truffle butter. There's a fine wine selection curated in partnership with London merchant Jeroboams too.

Cathay Pacific

First class passengers aren't tied to set mealtimes on Cathay Pacific. The award-winning wines and dishes created in partnership with Michelin-starred chefs can be ordered at any time during the flight. Expect a caviar course with Krug Champagne, warmed blinis and traditional garnishes Then international and Asian main dishes follow, including grilled beef tenderloin with thyme jus and pan-fried black cod with edamame and gremolata.

American Airlines

In American Airlines’ Flagship First class, meals are created by top chefs. If you’re heading to Hawaii, for example, it’s James Beard Award winner Sam Choy you have to thank for the delicious dinners. Past menus have included sriracha crab, blue cheese salad, pork chop with Dijon gravy and chocolate ice cream sundaes, along with premium beer, wine and spirits.

British Airways

With British Airways, those in first class get beautiful white tablecloths, fine bone china, Champagne and decadent main courses. A highlight from the airline's menu is its afternoon tea, complete with sandwiches, cakes, scones, cream and jelly, and, of course, plenty of tea.

Saudia

Onboard Saudia, the food served is among the best in the world. First class customers are treated to a lavish four-course meal which might start with Iranian sevruga caviar with traditional accompaniments and appetizers such as smoked salmon, dill-marinated shrimps and Arabic mezze. Decadent mains include chicken stuffed with feta and spinach, grilled steak and lobster Newburg. The grand finale might be tiramisu gateau or warm chocolate brownies with ice cream, plus Arabic tea and coffee.

Asiana Airlines

On Asiana Airlines, meals have been worked on in collaboration with the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine and have both traditional Korean and Italian influences. First class guests on long-haul flights can pre-order from a range of options. Highlights include a traditional Korean dish of pan-fried beef, beans and tofu skewers, sea bream soup and roasted butterfish. It's all accompanied by the finest quality wines and eco-friendly coffee.

China Southern Airlines

In first class onboard China Southern Airlines, guests can enjoy both Western and Cantonese cuisine. Main courses highlight regional Chinese specialities such as rice noodles with beef tendon and marinated egg, while Western dishes might include French-style eggs and pastries. But the highlight of the culinary offering is the In-Flight Tea Garden, a chance to experience China’s traditional tea ceremony culture.

Korean Air

'Farm to flight' is the mantra onboard Korean Air's first class, where you can enjoy rib-eye steak, beef ribs and chicken dishes from the Jedong pastures of the Jeju Island. Luxury Korean specialities include bibimbap (rice bowls), marinated crab, stir-fried spicy octopus, kimchi noodle soup and ginseng chicken soup. To top off the experience, there’s Perrier-Jouet Champagne and quality wines.

Delta Air Lines

In Delta One, one of the most exclusive cabins in the sky, expect chef-curated menus that highlight local specialities and change with the seasons. Expect tasty offerings such as ginger-beer-braised osso bucco, wild mushroom ravioli or chicken cacciatore. Drinks-wise, Lanson Black Label Brut Champagne is the order of the day.

Vietnam Airlines

As well as a selection of meals from around the world, Vietnam Airlines' business class menu includes traditional Vietnamese dishes like phở bò, a restorative beef broth with fragrant herbs. There's also a selection of cocktails inspired by the country like the creatively named Hello Vietnam, Red River and Saigon Sunlight. On special occasions, such as Christmas or Oktoberfest, the airline makes the effort to include seasonal dishes.

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