"airline food" news and stories

I don't mean put tiny packets of honey roasted peanuts and a vacuum-packed bag of wilted celery cticks in a flimsy box and charge yourself $4.95.

Conde Nast Traveler magazine challenged chef Gene Kato of Chicago restaurant Japonais to create an in-flight meal that was spoil-proof for three hours, leakproof, and didn't stink strongly enough to disturb your neighboring traveler (Conde Nast used the word "odiferous"). It couldn't be too difficult for something Japanese-inspired, since the concept of mobile food in bento boxes comes from Japan. Chef Kato created Miso-glazed Fried Chicken with Japanese Truffled Soybean Salad. The recipe is on Conde Nast's website.

I challenge Chef Kato to make something to take on a Korean Airlines flight that's not "odiferous." Kimchee anyone?

[via: Gadling]

Sure, we're getting used to all the extra charges that airlines are adding on top of the cost of the actual ticket. Changing your flight costs extra, bigger, heavier bags cost extra, and heck, we're okay with paying for an in-flight meal. That's better anyway, since you have the option of not eating airplane food.

However, the charges are starting to get ridiculous. Curbside check-in will cost extra per bag, asking for an assigned seat will cost more. Even a blanket will cost you a $1, and I doubt you get to keep the cheap thin piece of felt when you de-plane. But the worst of it? Airlines will be charging for drinks - not beer, wine, or a cocktail mixed from those tiny bottles. Sodas and snacks will cost $1 each. One dollar for two tiny cookies or a miniature bag of pretzels?!? You're better off dropping three quarters in a vending machine and getting a Big Grab of Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

Heck, maybe you should just fire up the old "Woodie" and make it a road trip. At least you can stop at the gas station for 99 cent beef jerky.

Airline food is fast going the way of the dodobird, what with rising gas prices, suffering airlines, slashed business travel, and the all-over belt-tightening. You could sneak your own lunch in... or you could celebrate All That Is Airline Food while it still lasts.

Celebrate, for instance, along with Danburg Murmur, whose airline food photoset on Flickr is a personal tribute to his many in-flight meals. Sure, it's not as complete as the astounding AirlineMeals.net pointed out to us by Nick Vagnoni. But it's more manageable. Discover the "Byte-sized Fare" of Southwest Airlines (plus Golden Oreos, hmm), the interesting pickled veggies and sandwich meats from Bangkok Air, and the lovely veggie lasagna from KLM pictured here. Almost makes me want to fly to Amsterdam...

[via del.icio.us]

Source