Intro

Sometimes you board a flight expecting the bare minimum and end up completely surprised.

That’s exactly what happened on this two-hour flight from Corfu to Luxembourg with Luxair in May.

This journey delivered more food surprises than flights twice the length.

Interior of a commercial airplane showing rows of empty seats and seatback pockets with safety cards and magazines, viewed from the rear toward the front.

Standard Meal Service: Where Luxair Shines

Most European carriers have stripped economy service down to nothing. Luxair still serves proper, complimentary meals – not just any meals, either.

A tray of economy class airplane food with a bread roll, packaged butter, and a covered main dish, placed on an airline tray table.

We’re talking metal cutlery, multiple courses, and food that actually looks edible when they put it in front of you.

The standard economy offering was a cold plate featuring thinly sliced cured meats arranged alongside couscous dotted with cherry tomatoes, plus creamy Camembert cheese and butter.

This looked way better than most airlines manage – out of place on an intra-European flight, let alone in economy.

Airline meal on a tray includes bread roll, butter, cold meats, couscous salad, cherry tomato, cheese, dessert, cup, and utensils, placed on an airplane seat tray table.
Airline meal tray with slices of roast beef and turkey, couscous salad, cherry tomato, bread roll, butter, dessert, and cup, with condiments and sauce on a tray table.

The couscous was the real surprise. Actually had flavour instead of the usual bland airline stuff – light grains with herb notes that tasted like someone cared about making it.

The house-made white chocolate dessert could’ve come from a decent café.

An airplane meal with a closed box, a napkin and cutlery set, a wedge of Président Camembert, a Galler chocolate square, and a container of Luxlait cream on a tray table.

Both meals were served on proper trays with real presentation, courtesy of a crew that genuinely seemed to care about the food and service.

They offered two complete beverage rounds, including spirits, digestifs, and Bernard Massard sparkling wine, produced right in Luxembourg.

Getting quality sparkling wine in economy (for free) is almost unheard of these days.

Most carriers would charge you 8-10 euros for something similar.

A hand holds a plastic cup filled with white wine, displaying the Bernard-Massard logo, inside an airplane near a window.

The Pre-Order Options: Worth It or Skip It?

Before my flight, I decided to upgrade and chose the Luxembourg Delicacies option.

Luxair offers five different pre-order meals in economy, all priced at a flat 15 euros.

A dropdown menu displays various meal options and prices, including Diabetic meal, Fruit plate, Gluten free meal, and Vegan meal—ideal for those seeking a detailed swiss airlines economy food review. Prices are listed in euros with brief descriptions.

All require 48 hours’ advance notice for booking.

The upgrade meal consisted of rieslingspaschteit – traditional Luxembourg aspic with meat in wine jelly – served with German-style potato salad, hard-boiled egg quarters, and pickles.

A meal tray on an airplane with two boxed meals, a glass of white wine, a packaged napkin labeled "Luxair," and a magazine pocket in the background.

It was well-prepared and worth the upgrade fee if you’re curious about local cuisine.

But after seeing the standard economy meals, I wondered if upgrading was even necessary.

The Lounge Experience

Don’t expect luxury here – this is a compact, simple space that focuses on getting the basics right.

Luxair Lounge entrance area with a round table holding a white flower pot, a digital display, magazine rack, and tiled floor.

The practical layout works well, with designated work areas featuring power outlets, comfortable seating, and large windows overlooking the tarmac.

Nice for getting some work done or just watching planes.

People sit and stand in an airport lounge by large windows, with a plane taking off visible outside on the runway.

The food offering includes a decent selection of sandwiches, salads, and hot items that looked appetising.

A breakfast buffet at a Luxair lounge featuring baskets of bread rolls, a toaster, stacked plates, and glasses on shelves.
A self-serve buffet area at Luxair Lounge with baskets of bread and pastries, glassware, condiments, and Luxair branding on the wall and sign.
A buffet counter with assorted cold cuts, including ham, salami, and prosciutto, neatly arranged on trays with serving tongs and small display signs above each section.
A Luxair lounge refreshment area with fruit, drinks, bottles of wine, glassware, and a metal ice bucket on a counter beneath a sign displaying the Luxair logo.
Two cereal dispensers, a milk dispenser, bowls, and trays with single-serve spreads are arranged on a breakfast buffet counter behind a glass barrier.
Six glass jars filled with snacks and sweets are lined up on a wooden counter. A cup of coffee on a napkin is placed on the counter in front of the jars.

The breakfast setup had cold cuts included ham, salami, and prosciutto, bread rolls, a toaster, cereals, and milk dispensers.

The beverage station includes local Luxembourg beer alongside the usual wine, spirits, and soft drinks, which was a nice local touch.

Nothing groundbreaking, but everything was well-maintained and regularly refreshed throughout my visit.

Conclusion

Skip the 15-euro meal upgrade unless you have specific dietary needs.

The standard economy meal provides so much value that the upgrade feels unnecessary – you’re getting restaurant-quality charcuterie, proper cheese, house-made dessert, and multiple beverage rounds all included in your ticket price.

The lounge provides a civilised pre-flight experience without any fuss or overcrowding.

The inflight service puts Luxair alongside carriers like Aegean in the “airlines that still get it” category.

Most European carriers would charge you 20 euros for something half as good as what Luxair includes for free.

This is how airline service should work – real food, proper presentation, and treatment that makes you feel welcomed rather than tolerated.

Luxair proves you can still deliver exceptional inflight service on short flights in today’s market.

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