Ranking 10 Airlines from Best to Worst In-Flight Food
For travelers, in-flight meals can either be a delightful surprise or a major letdown. Some airlines go above and beyond to offer restaurant-quality dining experiences, while others barely meet the standard for edible food. Whether you’re flying economy or indulging in first class, the quality of your meal can make a significant difference in your travel experience. From airlines that serve gourmet meals to those that leave passengers wishing they had packed their own snacks, here’s how they rank—from the very best to the absolute worst.
1. Singapore Airlines – Restaurant-Quality Dining at 35,000 Feet
Business Class: Singapore Airlines’ “Book the Cook” service lets premium passengers pre-order gourmet meals such as lobster thermidor, beef rendang, or Chilean sea bass. Meals are crafted by world-renowned chefs and paired with an excellent wine selection. The presentation is immaculate, with dishes served on fine china and accompanied by elegant tableware, making it a true fine-dining experience at cruising altitude.
Economy Class: Even in economy, the airline serves high-quality meals, such as chicken satay, curry dishes, or pasta, often accompanied by a fresh salad, a bread roll, and a dessert like mango pudding. The portion sizes are generous, and passengers often comment on the freshness and quality of the ingredients. Additionally, Singapore Airlines provides a selection of complimentary drinks, including beer and wine, setting it apart from many competitors.
2. Qatar Airways – Five-Star Cuisine in the Sky
Business Class: Qatar Airways offers a luxury à la carte dining experience with dishes like grilled lamb chops, seafood platters, or Arabic mezze. Each meal is served on fine china with real cutlery, and there’s even an option for afternoon tea. The presentation and service mirror what you’d expect in a high-end restaurant, with attentive flight attendants ensuring that drinks are topped up and every detail is accounted for.
Economy Class: Passengers enjoy a variety of flavorful meals, such as spiced chicken with saffron rice or vegetable stir-fry. Meals include fresh fruit, dessert, and warm bread, making it one of the best economy dining options in the industry. The airline’s attention to detail extends to the meal packaging and presentation, making it clear that Qatar Airways prioritizes quality regardless of ticket class.
3. Emirates – A Luxury Dining Experience
Business Class: Expect a multi-course dining experience featuring dishes like caviar, pan-seared beef tenderloin, or prawn biryani. The airline also provides an extensive list of wines and champagnes. Emirates’ business-class passengers also enjoy access to a dine-on-demand service, meaning they can order meals at any time during the flight rather than adhering to a set schedule.
Economy Class: Meals include generous portions of dishes like butter chicken with rice or vegetarian pasta. Passengers also receive complimentary drinks, including wine and beer, making Emirates one of the most generous airlines for economy travelers. Additionally, Emirates frequently updates its menu to include dishes inspired by the destinations it serves, adding an extra touch of authenticity to the dining experience.
4. Turkish Airlines – A Taste of Mediterranean Excellence
Business Class: Turkish Airlines features onboard chefs who prepare meals such as lamb shank, stuffed eggplant, or grilled sea bass. A selection of Turkish sweets like baklava completes the meal. The onboard chefs add a unique touch, interacting with passengers to explain meal choices and ensuring that every dish is prepared to the highest standard.
Economy Class: Passengers receive well-balanced meals that often include fresh salads, grilled meats, or vegetarian stews, all inspired by Turkish and international cuisine. The quality of the ingredients is consistently praised, and Turkish Airlines is one of the few airlines that still prioritize serving freshly prepared dishes rather than pre-packaged meals.
5. ANA (All Nippon Airways) – Japanese Precision and Quality
Business Class: ANA collaborates with Michelin-starred chefs to create exquisite Japanese meals such as sushi, wagyu beef, or kaiseki-style multi-course dining. The airline also offers Western meal options, ensuring that all passengers find something to their liking. ANA’s presentation is particularly impressive, with meals beautifully arranged and served on elegant ceramic dishes.
Economy Class: Even economy passengers enjoy high-quality bento-style meals featuring dishes like teriyaki chicken, miso soup, and matcha-flavored desserts. The attention to detail in ANA’s meal service is exceptional, with even economy passengers receiving meals that feel curated and carefully thought out.
6. American Airlines – A Hit-or-Miss Dining Experience
Business Class: Depending on the route, meals range from decent to uninspiring. Options like grilled salmon or chicken with vegetables are available, but flavors and presentation vary. While American Airlines has made some improvements in premium cabins, the quality remains inconsistent compared to international competitors.
Economy Class: Meals are often basic, such as pasta with marinara sauce or turkey sandwiches. Domestic flights only offer snacks unless passengers pay extra. The portion sizes are often small, and some passengers report that meals feel rushed and lack fresh ingredients.
7. United Airlines – Mediocre Food with Little Variety
Business Class: United Polaris passengers get upgraded dining, including short ribs or shrimp risotto, but the quality is inconsistent. While the airline has made strides to improve its premium dining experience, it still lags behind other major carriers in terms of flavor and overall quality.
Economy Class: Domestic economy passengers receive only snacks, while international flights offer basic meals like chicken curry or mac and cheese, often lacking variety and freshness. The airline’s reliance on pre-packaged meals is a common complaint among travelers.
8. Frontier Airlines – No Free Meals and Limited Selection
All Classes: Frontier Airlines, like many ultra-low-cost carriers, does not provide complimentary meals. Passengers must purchase snacks and pre-packaged items, which are often overpriced and uninspiring. With a lack of fresh meal options, Frontier leaves travelers with limited choices and no real dining experience.
9. Spirit Airlines – Minimal Options and High Prices
All Classes: Spirit Airlines takes a no-frills approach to food, offering no complimentary meals or snacks. Instead, passengers must purchase from a limited selection of pre-packaged foods, such as chips and instant noodles. The food quality is underwhelming, and the prices are steep for what you get. Travelers hoping for even a basic meal will likely be disappointed.
10. Ryanair – Bring Your Own or Go Hungry
All Classes Ryanair ranks at the bottom for in-flight dining due to its complete lack of free meal service. Passengers must buy from an overpriced menu that includes sandwiches, snacks, and instant coffee—none of which are particularly appetizing. Since Ryanair is a budget airline, this isn’t shocking, but it still provides one of the worst food experiences in the skies. If you’re flying Ryanair, bringing your own food is the best option.
