I've taken two trips in the past two weeks. The first was to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Frontier Airlines. Snacks were available for purchase and they even tried to sell bottled water (although, if you waited a few minutes you could get a cup of water with the regular beverage service). The second trip was to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Southwest Airlines. Southwest offered as many cheese nips and peanuts as you could eat. While it was a step up from Frontier, it was a far cry from the early days of flying.
In a New York Times article, William Woys Weaver (on a totally unrelated note, I love his name!) writes about how he has been collecting airline menus for the past forty years. Not surprisingly, as airline's food and other offerings degrade, more and more people seem interested in his collection.
The New York Times article also contained some images of menus from his collection which feature items such as Selected Delicacies from Various Countries, Roasted Duckling, and Poached Turbot.
What's the best meal you've had in the air?
Second Helping of Slashfood - June 19
Competitive-Eating Contest to Pit Humans Against Elephants
The Backyard Boom - The Hungry Bride
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-11-2008 @ 6:39PM
totoro said...
Selling bottled water on the plane, when the TSA confiscates your personal water bottles at the gate?
That is sleazy, and bordering on criminal.
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8-11-2008 @ 6:40PM
Josh Baugher said...
Be sure to checkout http://www.airlinemeals.net/
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8-11-2008 @ 9:01PM
Kimberly said...
For some reason arriving in Fort Lauderdale is always pleasant with or without cheese nips.
http://www.delightfulbiteful.com
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8-11-2008 @ 10:34PM
Mike said...
First class HNL-SFO, AA Platinum FF status:
One of the selections was roast loin of beef. I asked for that. The the attendant asked "And how would you like your beef cooked sir?" I know I'd never been asked that question before ( or since )
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8-11-2008 @ 11:51PM
Kevin Kadow said...
Flying internationally, airlines still serve food (and cocktails at no charge). If you can swing business class, real meals. Maybe not as good or fresh as a fine restaurant, but at least as good as room service in a 4-star American hotel.
Specifically Flew SAS international business class in 2007. was offered a full dinner with at least two choices available for each course.
So good I saved the menu, I'll try to dig it out...
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8-12-2008 @ 12:43AM
bog said...
For water on flights, we've started taking empty bike bottles through the checkpoints, then filling them up from the drinking fountains before boarding the plane. Inexpensive and ecological too--if you can find the drinking fountains.
It doesn't work in Singapore, though--they have a final fluids check just before boarding.
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8-12-2008 @ 12:47AM
KF said...
Like Mike, mine was a round trip SFO to Honolulu to SFO on American, First Class (surprise upgrade from the boyfriend). One direction, grilled prawns, basmati rice, perfectly cooked. Tossed salad served and like Mike, I was surprised to be asked what vegetables I wanted on my salad, and what type of dressing I preferred. Another direction, steak and potato, and a hot fudge sundae for dessert. A container of ice cream with a paper lid? Ohhh noo... it was a dish of scooped vanilla bean ice cream served with a little heated carafe of hot fudge.
Now, were these out of this world special? For a plane, heck yes.
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8-12-2008 @ 1:50AM
Jacqueline Harrington said...
Flying first class from LAX to then Friendship Airport in the 80's. My dad and I enjoyed Filet Mignon with duchess potatoes and new peas with all you wished to imbibe Burgandy followed by Baked Alaska and a cheese plate for dessert. Yum - I kept that silverware for 20 years!
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8-12-2008 @ 9:01AM
Baron said...
While they take your drinks going through security, you are now (at least on all the flights I've been on in the last year) able to get drinks on the other side of the check point that can be brought aboard the plane. Pretty much all 1st class accommodations offer a meal and most flights over a certain number of hours (hence international flights) offer meals of varying quality. I seem to remember some tasty french toast for breakfast on my way to Hawaii several years ago.
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8-12-2008 @ 9:40AM
Ed T said...
Singapore Airlines -- even coach passengers get good food often with multiple selections, and two choices of wine. Between meals there are plenty of snacks served by those petite and always gracious Singapore Girls. By comparison, most U.S. airlines seen like 3rd-world cattle car operations.
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8-12-2008 @ 9:42AM
naughtydogcafe said...
Quite a while back, I ordered a vegetarian meal. It was the best stuffed pepper I have ever had, bar none. Couldn't believe it. I've tried to replicate that pepper since with no luck. And it was served with a side of fruit in an orange cup. Darn, that was one good meal!
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8-12-2008 @ 10:13AM
Astin said...
Duck a l'Orange in business class years ago.
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8-12-2008 @ 10:54AM
kaszeta said...
Best I've had? Reindeer steaks on FinnAir.
I also had a shockingly good selection of wursts on Lufthansa once.
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8-12-2008 @ 2:19PM
doodoolemonque said...
Best meals I have ever eaten on an airplane were all supplied by...me. Anyone who gets on an airplane expecting to be given a meal worth eating is crazy. I knew someone who liked eating airplane food, but only because it came in those little trays with compartments for each course. It made him feel all warm and fuzzy, like he was back in kindergarten.
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8-14-2008 @ 4:13AM
Brandon said...
Anchorage - Honolulu on Alaska shortly after they started nonstop service. The teriyaki bowl they charged $5 for in Coach was totally worth it. Some of the best beef teriyaki I've ever had. I've had first class meals on Alaska that weren't anywhere near as good!
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8-18-2008 @ 9:10AM
Gobo said...
Korean Air serves a very tasty bimbimbap on their international flights. You have to know to ask for it, though -- if you're not Korean, they'll try to serve you linguine or something while all the Koreans around you are eating large bowls of spicy, awesome stew.
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