Most people will tell you that the food served onboard a plane is not very appetizing. Some people dislike it so much they give it a miss altogether. Some airlines go to great lengths to ensure that their meals onboard are tasty and satisfying, but they can’t seem to get it right. A top travel author reveals the real reason why plane food isn’t as nice as it could be.
In-flight menu
Whether you’re flying on a domestic flight or an international flight, there is an in-flight menu available for you. That is so you can enjoy a meal or a snack before arriving at your final destination. On long-haul flights, there are a few options to choose from depending on your preference. Airlines try to cater to everyone, so most flights will have a meat option, a chicken option, and a vegetarian option. Not to mention meals for people with special dietary requirements. After all, they want to ensure that their passengers are hydrated and well-fed so they enjoy the flight and choose them for future trips. In the past, plane food had a very bad reputation. Passengers complained about the meals being too small and the food being dry and tasteless. In order to improve, some companies have put in a lot of money and effort into the food served on their planes. Some have even brought on top chefs such as Heston Blumenthal to create inventive and tasty flight friendly dishes.
Flight conditions
Even after all their efforts to make onboard meals delicious, it seems plane food is still not as appetizing as it could be. This is attributed to certain rules and conditions on the flight. Author Christopher Barlett shares some secrets regarding plane food in his book “Plane Clever”. Even though meals are prepared by top chefs, they have to be prepared beforehand and have to be reheated once in the air. If there was a way that the onboard meals could be served fresh, that would certainly have a huge impact on the taste. The fact that it has to be reheated, could result in food being overcooked and hence, not very appetizing. Another factor that affects the overall taste of the food is the dry air in the cabin. Onboard meals have to be very saucy because of the dry air.
Staying hydrated
Christopher also mentions how important it is to stay hydrated while on a flight, especially on long-haul journeys. Your body’s natural moisture evaporates, so it is crucial that you replace the moisture lost with plenty of fluids. Christopher states that it is best to stay away from coffee as it can have a dehydrating effect. Water is always the best choice, but juices are effective as well in staying hydrated. Fizzy drinks are also not recommended because of the carbon dioxide content. The recommended humidity level for maximum comfort is between 30-65 percent, but the humidity levels in airplanes can be below 10 percent.
Some frequent flyers that fly domestic flights have opted to take their own drinks and snacks on the plane to avoid eating plane food. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to take drinks or snacks on international flights so you won’t have much of a choice. Plane food may not be the best yet, but who knows maybe one day they’ll get it right. Until then, sit back and try to enjoy your flight.
