But one man travels the world reviewing the meals on flights in every continent, and he has revealed the top five best meals on offer.
Nik Loukas is the author of Inflight Feed and a veteran industry professional who has made it his mission to improve the image of airline food by showcasing the very best.
Speaking to Business Insider about the food travellers are offered, he said: “In the last five years, airlines are really trying hard to outdo each other with the kind of meals they’re offering.
“When people step off the plane at their destination they talk about two things: The crew and the food.”
One of the reasons people remember the food so distinctly, Loukas says, is the strange sensation of eating at 30,000 feet at a speed of 800kph – he goes so far as to say it is “not normal”.
The ex-Qantas Airways crew member travels over 180,000km each year in search of the latest in-flight meal options, praising the best and exposing the those who fall short.
He tries meals from breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as afternoon tea and snacks.
He picked his top five meals, whilst also giving insight into the food offered on different classes with each airline. British Airways is unlikely to make the cut after scrapping inflight meals on their short-haul flights.
Austrian Airlines
Nik said: “Hands down the best breakfast I’ve eaten on a plane in a seriously long time.”
The meal was not the standard economy fare however, as “you can upgrade your in-flight meal for €15 (£13/$ 16) and receive quite a fantastic meal.”
Turkish Airlines
Nik said: “Turkish Airlines is amazing, their meals are very fresh, tasty and some of the best in the world in my opinion, including economy class.”
Air Europa
Nik commented: “Probably the most amazing business class meal I’ve received in Europe. “Just look at it, so amazing. Like eating from a farmers market, so fresh, and unique.”
Singapore Airlines
Nik was travelling in the airline’s Suite Class when he received the meal that made his top five.
He said: “I love Singapore Airlines, the service was amazing and the in-flight meal options in business, first, and even in economy class were fantastic.”
He also noted on InflightFeed that suites and first class passengers are met with Dom Perignon Vintage 2004 as a welcome drink
Scandinavian Airlines
Nik said: “Business class is like dining in a cool, Scandinavian restaurant, meal trays aren’t used for the main meal service, and the second meal service is quite nice as you can pick and choose what you want from the buffet trolley that comes through the cabin.”
However Nik did comment that those in economy may find the buy-on-board range relatively poor value.
