INTRODUCTION
I’m always on the lookout for the latest innovations and exciting concepts in airline meals. This time, I’ve uncovered some truly remarkable inflight meals available to economy passengers.
Forget the usual chicken or beef—these options range from caviar to lobster, and even airline meals available from vending machines.
Although most of these meals come with an additional fee, they offer a unique experience that’s not commonly seen in economy class.
CZECH AIRLINES
Czech Airlines surprises passengers with the chance to pre-order upscale dishes like canapés and fruit skewers.
But the real standout is their 1kg offering of chicken schnitzel, available for EUR33.00!
It’s a hefty portion of food, so you might want to consider sharing it with your seat neighbour!
More info here: https://www.csa.cz/en/preorder-your-favourite-meal/
CORSAIR
Since 2018, French airline Corsair has set the bar high in economy class with their Prestige menu.
This extraordinary meal features blue lobster from Brittany, caviar, tarama, and salmon from the Petrossian house, with dessert crafted by the renowned Parisian culinary institution Dalloyau.
While priced at EUR115.00, this meal offers a premium dining experience that can be booked up to 48 hours before departure on flights from Paris.
More information here: https://www.flycorsair.com/en/onboard-catering/prestige-menu
ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS (ANA)
Passengers traveling through Shonai Airport where located between the cities of Sakata and Tsuruoka along the Sea of Japan in Yamagata Prefecture, can now purchase airline meals from vending machines introduced by ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS (ANA).
The vending machines at Shonai Airport offer various inflight meals that ANA serves in economy class. The price is 1,080 yen (including tax, but may vary at other locations), around USD $7.50, and includes options such as:
Beef Stew & Omelette Rice
Beef Hamburger Steak
Tandoori Chicken Style with Saffron Rice
Stewed Beef and Eggplant with Cream Penne
Paella & more!
These meals are not only purchased by passengers flying in and out of Shonai Airport but also by local residents who enjoy them at nearby parks or take them home, as they are easy to store in the freezer.
XIAMEN AIR
One of China’s leading airlines offers domestic passengers the option to pre-order local delicacies via social media.
The Buddha Skipping Walls dish (USD$26.00), inspired by Fujian cuisine and crafted by renowned Chinese chef Lin Qingxiang, includes abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw, scallops, snail meat, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots—ingredients that symbolise blessings and longevity.
More info here: https://inflightfeed.com/reviews/xiamen-air-review-business-economy-class/
KLM UPGRADE MEALS
Finally, if you’re flying KLM in economy class, you can pay to upgrade your inflight meal.
The airline offers five different meals ranging from EUR 19 to EUR 30 per meal.
On a recent flight from Amsterdam to Montreal, I ordered the Indonesian meal.
It featured bami goreng with sticky tempeh and beef pedas, accompanied by rice, a rujak salad garnished with sambal and fried onions, a bread roll, coconut bavarois, and a beautifully layered Dutch/Indonesian cake.
All beautifully presented and delicious. Passengers flying in economy class from Amsterdam to select international destinations can upgrade their meals, and it’s certainly worth it.
More info here: https://www.klm.fr/en/information/travel-class-extra-options/economy-class-meals
CONCLUSION
While these exceptional economy class meal options come at an additional cost and might not suit every budget, they represent an exciting shift in inflight dining.
Airlines are pushing the envelope, offering luxurious and innovative meals that elevate the travel experience.
Whether you’re ready to splurge on gourmet options or simply appreciate the effort to enhance your journey, these offerings show that the inflight dining scene is evolving.
