Airplane foodies — Eat to your heart’s content at 35,000 feet in the air

While booking a Qatar airline flight to Thailand, Jeanne — our digital content specialist — was surprised at the wide selection of meals for people with dietary exemptions. Was she a raw vegan? Or perhaps a lacto-ovo vegetarian? Did she require her meal to be prepared in accordance to Jain or Islamic principles? Or did she prefer a gluten-free dinner or low-sodium fare? Mind you, she was booking in economy class. “I was surprised. Up to that point all the flights I had ever taken had two choices given to passengers during the flight and dependent on availability. To me, airline food was a bit like hospital food — tasteless and uninspiring.” In fact, a lot of airlines take their food game seriously and invest big bucks to ensure a memorable food experience — one that will hopefully build customer loyalty. Nikos Loukas, an avid and frequent traveller, started reviewing his in-flight meals as a hobby while traveling back in 2012. He documented his forays in airline cuisine on a blog turned airline food authority, currently providing information on over 150 airlines worldwide.

I like airlines that tell a story through their food. A bit like how Swiss or say Aegean Airlines try to give a taste of their respective home countries in their onboard offerings. - Nikos Loukas

Here are five (surprisingly!) delicious meals you can expect while flying in economy class, courtesy of In-Flight Feed. Bon appétit! THAI AIRWAYS — Pork with Noodles, Salmon Salad and Veggies. FINNAIR— Salmon Salad with a Tuna Roll. EVA AIR — The Hello Kitty Special for your kids. FLYNIKI — Viennese Chicken Schnitzel with Parsley Potatoes, a fresh Salad with Balsamic Olive Oil Dressing and a Mousse au Chocolat. An Italian Antipasti Platter consisting of Prosciutto di Parma with Tomato-Mozzarella, grilled Mediterranean Vegetables, Salad and Tiramisu. SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES — Fresh Fruit served with a Croissant and Cucumber, Cherry Tomatoes, Peppers, Ramson Pork Sausage, Mushroom and Herb Soufflé — for BREAKFAST Raspberry and White Chocolate Mousse Cake, Valrhona Chocolate Ice Cream and the Cheese offering — for DESSERT