Airline meal

Airline Meal

An airline meal, also known as an in-flight meal, is a meal served to passengers on board a commercial airliner. These meals are typically prepared by specialist airline catering services and are served to passengers using an airline service trolley.

History

The concept of serving meals on flights dates back to the early days of commercial aviation. Initially, meals were simple and consisted of pre-packaged snacks. As air travel became more popular, airlines began to offer more elaborate meals to enhance the passenger experience.

Preparation and Catering

Airline meals are prepared by airline catering companies such as DO & CO and Gate Gourmet. These companies operate large-scale kitchens near airports where meals are prepared in advance and then transported to the aircraft. The meals must adhere to strict safety and hygiene standards due to the unique conditions of air travel.

DO & CO Catering preparing airline meals.

Types of Meals

Airline meals vary depending on the class of service, flight duration, and airline policies. Common types of meals include:

• Economy Class Meals: Typically consist of a main course, a side dish, and a dessert. Meals are often pre-packaged and heated on board.
• Business Class Meals: Offer a wider selection of dishes, often with multiple courses and higher quality ingredients.
• First Class Meals: Feature gourmet dishes, often prepared by renowned chefs, with a focus on presentation and quality.

United Airlines international economy meal.

Special Meals

Airlines offer a variety of special meals to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences, including:

• Vegetarian and Vegan Meals
• Kosher Meals
• Halal Meals
• Gluten-Free Meals

Kosher meal certification.

Challenges

Preparing meals for consumption at high altitudes presents unique challenges. The low humidity and pressure in an aircraft cabin can affect taste and smell, requiring chefs to adjust recipes accordingly. Additionally, meals must be designed to be safely stored and reheated on board.

Airline Meal Service

The service of airline meals is typically handled by flight attendants, who distribute meals using trolleys. The timing and availability of meals depend on the flight duration and time of day.

Flight attendant serving meals.

Related Pages

• Airline catering
• In-flight entertainment
• Flight attendant
• Airline service trolley

Gallery

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  Maxson's Sky Plate, an early airline meal.

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  Turkish Airlines business class meal.

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  Aeroflot meal from 2007.

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  Meal served on a China Eastern Airlines flight.

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  Airline catering facilities.

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