15 Airlines With The Absolute Best Quality Meals, Ranked

Food on airplanes isn't necessarily known for being the highest quality (though there are some ways to make your food taste better). Everything from the noise level to the dry air in the cabin are reasons that food might taste different at 36,000 feet. And that's assuming you get any food at all, as many airlines have done away with meals altogether, especially in economy classes. On the flip side, some major airlines known for a higher level of service have funneled more investment into the meal service in order to draw customers. We have been seeing everything from hiring celebrity chefs to design the menu to outfitting the plane's kitchen to be able to actually to cook food instead of just warm it.

For some, flying is all about bargains and saving money, even if that means they have to pack their own snacks. But, if you have the cash, springing for a more expensive seat might mean a much more luxurious airline meal. Check out our list to see which airlines are offering the best quality meals.

All Nippon Airways is another Japanese airline that operates routes between Japan and destinations in North America, Europe, and the rest of Asia. Roundtrip first class tickets between Tokyo and the States can be as much as $20,000, so you can bet that your meal service will be top-tier. First, you will be given an amuse-bouche course of small bites like goat cheese crusted with crushed pistachio or smoked salmon and scallop tartare while you sip a glass of champagne and peruse the menu.

The main course will be a selection between Japanese and Western fare, but you should definitely opt for the Japanese menu. You'll start with small bites of fresh sashimi, followed by course after course of the finest Japanese food. Even economy seats can splurge: guests departing from Japan have the option to upgrade their meal for an upcharge of just $23.

Many people know the secret: Japan Airlines serves some of the best economy food in the business. A route between Tokyo and Honolulu, for example, serves potato salad with sakura shrimp, sakura petals, and mustard blossoms. Upper classes enjoy meals made by star chefs and have the option between a Japanese meal and a traditional Western meal. The Western meal could be some type of beef filet served with truffle butter and bread by Maison Kayser, and the Japanese meal will involve a cold appetizer course with things like kelp-marinated sea bream and onion and broccoli tofu with crab, followed by a hot main course that could be grilled Wagyu beef or Spanish mackerel.

Every course is served in elegant trays and boxes with chopsticks and a trademark red origami crane chopstick holder. All that being said, the airline has come under fire lately for one customer's particularly dismal vegan meal, which consisted of a single banana.

Year after year, Hawaiian Airlines is awarded the best domestic American airline for its impeccable service and above-average meal service. In a time when almost all domestic airlines have "temporarily" suspended full meal service, Hawaiian continues to offer a hot meal to every single guest, no matter what ticket class.

First class guests are treated to a special dining experience from the beginning of the flight, where each person is greeted with a choice of cocktail (champagne, Mai Tai, or passion orange guava juice) served with warm macadamia nuts. The main meal varies by time of day, but it usually comes with a dessert, a side, and a main entree with some kind of Hawaiian flair. Designed by chef Robynne Maii of Fete, current lunch or dinner selections between Honolulu and the West Coast are zucchini and pea risi e bisi with basil macadamia nut pesto and roasted asparagus or chicken schnitzel with lilikoi (passionfruit) mustard sauce, braised red cabbage and warm red potato salad.

Air New Zealand brings plenty of flavor to every meal it serves, with Asian and Mediterranean ingredients woven into many dishes. As of December 2022, flights between Los Angeles and Auckland are serving a lengthy menu to first class guests. For flights that leave at night, you have the option of a quick bite before you go to sleep. Options could be green pea and basil soup or Greek yogurt mousse. The full meal service begins with an amuse-bouche and a selection of freshly baked bread, followed by an appetizer course.

The menu also allows unique customization, with several options available to add to your main course to make it more substantial. Think of it like ordering a few vegetable sides to go with your steak at a restaurant. Generally, the consensus on these first class meals is that they are good if a bit small, so make sure you get the add-ons if you typically find yourself getting peckish during a long flight.

While not quite as ritzy as some of the other airlines based in the Middle East, Turkish Airlines often gets top marks from frequent fliers and travel periodicals alike for its consistently great service and top-tier food in every class. To set themselves apart, Turkish Airlines has a dedicated onboard chef to prepare the meals for first and business class passengers, which allows you to choose how you want your food to be prepared, down to the degree of doneness on your steak. The menu is broken down into red meat selections (of which there are nine choices), fish and white meat (15), and pasta and vegetables, with a whopping 20 different options.

Economy seats get some of the best food for this class of any airline currently operating. Not only do passengers get a hot meal (even on short-haul flights less than three hours), but the food is served in dishes and bowls, as opposed to the dismal plastic tray on other airlines. In addition to a tasty and flavorful entree, expect a side, such as hummus, as well as a fresh green salad and a chocolate mousse dessert. The only gripe that some travelers have is that the options aren't rotated out that often.

Etihad is one of the most luxurious airlines currently flying the skies, and first class passengers are entitled to special privileges like a private Etihad chauffeur for an escort to and from the airport, not to mention extravagant lounges at the airport. If you can spring for first class, you may get one of the exclusive apartments (which can cost as much as $4000 for a single route between Heathrow and Abu Dhabi). The apartments feature a double bed for couples traveling together, as well as a private bathroom with a shower.

On Etihad, flight attendants don't make your food — instead, there are dedicated onboard chefs to ensure everything is cooked and plated just right. Etihad doesn't publish in-flight menus, but you can expect some choices between traditional Emirati dishes mixed in with "destination-inspired meals." There's an on-demand menu available at any point during the flight, including the airline's signature Etihad steak sandwich.

The first class experience aboard Singapore Airlines is the stuff of legends. Queen-sized beds, showers, and your own set of personal pajamas; this airline spares no expense to make the guests feel like royalty. Sure, a trip between New York City and Singapore may cost upwards of $30,000, but for some, it's a paltry fee. The food is not just good for an in-flight meal — it's as good, if not better, than some of the delicious food you might be traveling to Singapore to try. The menu has over two dozen items, from hot khao thom to roasted rack of lamb with pea puree to lobster noodles with ginger and spring onion broth, and of course, a chilled caviar appetizer.

Although Singapore Airlines was once known as the most luxurious airline in the sky, bar none, some recent cutbacks due to Covid have forced the company to make changes to the economy class service. While it is still one of the better options for the economy, it can be hard not to compare days past when every guest on the flight was served drinks in actual glassware, and a meal might consist of a big bowl of Singaporean laksa.