Even back in the days when airlines weren't suffering like mad, I never thought there was much to the world of air food. I figured there were some powers-that-be types that picked some meals, most likely from an independent food distributor, and that was that. These days, I figured there was even less -- purchase crap, microwave and serve, if they even share more than a granola bar.

Then there was that infamous letter to Virgin Airlines chastising their sorry excuses for food, which led the airline to invite the reader to come to their "catering house" and give his input. Catering houses ... But that's not all -- FOXBusiness now reports that Chef Bryan Caswell, owner of REEF and Little Bigs restaurants in Houston, has been added to Continential Airlines' Congress of Chefs. Not group, not board, but Congress.

Before writing this, I looked up some Continental reviews, since I haven't flown them in a while and perhaps I was missing out on a culinary experience, but reading here, I don't think I have. Or rather, there's an enormous divide between the Business class menu, and the airline that has "won numerous awards for its international BusinessFirst service [and where] Continental's Congress of Chefs and Sommeliers carefully select menus and wines for each country the airline serves."

Flying domestically over the past few years has become increasingly more and more nightmarish. Just last week we had a post on the lack of complimentary food served on domestic flights. Last Sunday, the New York Times had an article about airlines, such as US Airways, that are charging $5 for snacks and $2 for water. Airlines no longer offering basic amenities, like luggage space and meals, is depressing. But, it's more or less expected from airlines that are all on the verge of going out of business. To me, charging for water is the most shocking.

As someone who loves to travel, I'm desperately hoping that US Airways' $2 water bottles do not become a trend on other airlines. We can't bring water through security. So, we'll have no other option than to purchase water at the gate prior to boarding the plane. This means arriving at the airport extra early than we already have to in order to prevent dehydration on a transcontinental flight.

The article in the Times outlines an up-to-date list of current drink and meal offerings from major airlines traveling domestically. It's hard to pinpoint which airline is the stingiest. While Southwest, Spirit, and JetBlue offer no food apart from snacks, American, Delta, United, and Northwest all charge at least $4 for meals. Northwest charges $10 for meals! We all know how delicious airline cuisine is...Hopefully, these airlines will not follow US Airways and take away a simple necessity like water.

We have an in-flight food guide that we posted a couple of weeks ago to help Slashfood readers know what they're in for food-wise on several major airlines this summer. This week, the Wall Street Journal actually took to the skies to taste-test some of the meal options on various airlines. Dubbed the "unfree lunches," since you now almost always have to pay for meals and snacks when you fly.

Many of the "snack" boxes contained little food for the shocking amount of calories they contained, and the exact calorie count could not always be determined, since single-serving "cheeses" were often unlabeled. Overall, you'd do best to pass on the "insultingly skimpy" snack box from ATA ($3), which garnered the "worst snack box" award. United Airlines Right Bite Box ($5), by contrast, was voted the "best snack box" because their selections were "smart," reasonably healthy and stocked with popular brands - including organics. Air Canada was praised for their excellent muffin ($2) and offering of Subway veggie sandwiches ($5). As for the rest? Let's just say that packing your own snack is always a good idea.

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]