Intro

Most budget airlines treat food as a necessary evil, overpriced, underwhelming options that passengers buy reluctantly.

AirAsia took a different approach: They created Santan, a successful food program that became a standalone restaurant chain.

After sampling Santan meals on flights from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to Phuket, I can confirm that AirAsia has cracked the code on affordable, authentic airline food.

A close-up photo of an in-flight menu for AirAsia showcasing 'Santan' with an image of two hands holding a mug and the text 'love' in green at the top.

What is Santan?

Santan launched in 2015 as AirAsia’s inflight catering brand, taking its name from the Malay word for coconut milk.

Travelling Soon?

Three smartphones displaying Maya Mobile and app screens, with a graphic labeled โ€œeSIM,โ€ on a blue background featuring the Maya Mobile logoโ€”perfect for travelers staying connected while checking inflight meals or exploring airline food options.
SAVE 15% ON TRAVEL eSIM!

Get instant global connectivity with 15% off all eSIM plans for Inflight Feed readers – activate in minutes with just a QR code scan. Skip the roaming charges and connect to 400+ networks worldwide.

Claim 15% Off Your Travel SIM!

Offer ends June 30th.

What started as airline meal service evolved into restaurant chains serving the same dishes on the groundโ€”proof of their confidence in food quality.

An open in-flight menu on an airplane tray table, displaying images and descriptions of various meals, snacks, and beverages available for purchase.
An open menu displayed on an airplane tray table shows various meal options, including Nasi Lemak, chicken with rice, and vegetable curry, along with drinks like coffee and soup. Prices are listed in MYR.
Open magazine showing a food advertisement with a smiling woman in an orange top on the left page and various snack options with pricing on the right page. Some text is in Thai.
An open in-flight menu displaying a Handmade Napoletana Style Mushroom Truffle Pizza on the left and various other food and drink options on the right.
Open menu showing dessert and meal options including Boba Thai Milk Tea Pudding, Chicken Ciabatta, and Thai Mango Sticky Rice with prices listed in Thai Baht.

This backward integration shows AirAsia’s commitment goes beyond just feeding passengers.

When your inflight food is good enough to build restaurants, you’ve achieved something most airlines can only dream of.

Pricing That Defies Logic

Here’s where AirAsia separates itself from every other budget carrier: their Thai menu prices range from THB 100-120 (roughly $2.95-USD 3.55).

These aren’t snack prices, full meal prices, including protein, vegetables, rice, noodles, and accompaniments.

Compare this to Cebu Pacific charging 3-4 times more for similar meals or European budget carriers demanding โ‚ฌ8-15 for mediocre sandwiches.

AirAsia proves budget airline food doesn’t have to be expensive because passengers are captive customers.

The Thai Menu

The Thai menu reveals AirAsia’s understanding of regional food culture:

  • Pak Nasser’s Nasi Lemak – Malaysia’s national dish with fragrant coconut rice
  • Pad Thai with Egg Wrap – Thailand’s famous export, properly executed
  • Green Curry Chicken with Rice and Salted Egg – authentic Thai flavours with creative additions
  • Uncle Chin’s Chicken Rice – Singapore’s beloved comfort food
  • ML Noi’s Basil Fried Chicken on Rice – Thai street food elevated for airline service

These aren’t generic “Asian” dishes but specific, culturally authentic preparations.

A slice of burnt cheesecake with a dark top crust is displayed next to its packaging, labeled "The OG Burnt Cheesecake," exuding a tempting aroma reminiscent of an exquisite Air France fragrance.

At THB 80 (USD 2.40), the burnt cheesecake represents everything right about AirAsia’s approach.

This signature item requires a specific technique to achieve the characteristic caramelised top without overcooking the creamy interior.

The Pre Order Meals

Bangkok to Phuket

For my short domestic flight, I selected the Pad Thai with Egg Wrap and Shoupan Chicken & Cheese Sandwich.

Both meals arrived before the main service, ensuring that pre-order customers get their orders first.

Airplane tray table with a meal consisting of Pad Thai, a sandwich wrap, two bottles of water, a napkin, and plastic cutlery.

The Pad Thai delivered genuine Thai flavours, most importantly, this tasted like actual Pad Thai rather than “airline Asian noodles.”

The chicken and cheese sandwich exceeded expectations with fresh bread that maintained proper texture.

An airline meal on a tray table includes a dish with prawns and rice, bread topped with herbs, a packaged dessert, two bottles of water, and a plastic fork and knife set on a napkin.
A glass container holds a dish with eggs topped with herbs and orange garnish. It is accompanied by bread slices, cheese, and mushrooms. Another dish and a water bottle are partially visible.
View of an airplane cabin facing the back, showing rows of seated passengers, overhead compartments, and a flight attendant walking down the aisle.


The Pad Thai delivered genuine Thai flavours, the chicken and cheese sandwich exceeded expectations with fresh bread that maintained proper texture and quality protein.

Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

The second flight showcased operational consistency across AirAsia’s network.

Meals arrived in Santan-branded bags, reinforcing the restaurant aesthetic and ensuring the food quality matched the Bangkok flight perfectly.

A brown paper bag with twisted handles on an airline seat tray table, featuring the words "Good Food. Good Coffee. Good Value." and the logo "santan" in green.
A tray table on an airplane with a meal consisting of rice and curry, a plastic-wrapped set of red cutlery, a napkin, and a bottle of water.
Airline meal tray on an airplane with a packaged Hyderabadi vegetable biryani, a sealed bottle of water, a set of red cutlery, and a white napkin placed on a tray table.
A magazine with the title "LOVE" and an image of two hands holding a blue cup is placed on an airplane tray table. The cover mentions "santan" and "Good Food. Good Coffee. Good Value.



What AirAsia understands is that Southeast Asian food culture emphasises bold flavours, fresh ingredients, and affordable accessibility.

Street food in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore delivers complex, satisfying meals for prices equivalent to AirAsia’s airline pricing.

AirAsia’s pre-order system offers up to 35% discounts while ensuring meal availability.


Conclusion

AirAsia proves that airline food can be affordable, authentic, and genuinely satisfying when airlines prioritise customer experience.

Their restaurant expansion validates food quality while consistent execution demonstrates operational capability.

At $3 for complete meals featuring authentic regional cuisine, AirAsia delivers value almost impossible to find on other airlines.

They haven’t just mastered budget airline dining and shown what’s possible when carriers commit to serving good food at fair prices.

For budget travellers who want proper meals rather than overpriced snacks, AirAsia’s Santan program sets the standard that other carriers should study carefully.

More Information

About Air Asia

Find another airline