By Abhya Adlakha
Take your taste buds on a world tour without leaving your seat! In the skies above, we explore the best culinary experiences offered by five world-renowned airlines that are redefining in-flight dining with gourmet experiences that rival the finest restaurants. From Swiss delicacies to Middle Eastern feasts, these airlines offer a symphony of flavours, meticulously crafted by chefs and paired with exquisite drinks.
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa’s Business Class and First Class on long-haul flights offer an exquisite culinary journey, meticulously crafted to elevate your in-flight experience. In their latest release, Lufthansa shared their new culinary highlights offered in Business Class.
A highlight of the new gastronomic delight is the celebration of German bread culture. With more than 3,000 varieties, bread is the cornerstone of German heritage. Now, Lufthansa’s Business Class passengers can savour bread developed by Axel Schmitt, who was recently named the World Baker of the Year in 2022. These handmade, additive-free breads are baked daily and served with premium butter and olive oil.
Adding a touch of sophistication, Lufthansa has also introduced the Avionic Apéritif. Created by the renowned Ziegler distillery and Frankfurt’s bar icon Sven Riebel, this signature drink “blends peach notes and wild meadow herbs” and is served with tonic over ice as a welcome drink.
The airline has also introduced a new vegetarian amuse-bouche, ranging from antipasti to sushi. A new modular snack selection also caters to varying appetites of passengers—ranging from tomato and mozzarella skewers to pastrami wraps. As a farewell gift, passengers now receive a box of Lindt chocolates too.
For First-Class passengers, the caviar service is as integral to their service as their red rose wine. Passengers are free to choose from a variety of premium snacks and nibbles, paired with an exclusive wine selection that changes every month.
Lufthansa truly offers a luxurious in-flight dining experience, made even better with the introduction of their new menu.
SWISS
From May 22 to June 4, SWISS First Class guests can indulge in the “Saffron Weeks” on long-haul flights from Zurich and Geneva. This special event features dishes infused with the world’s most expensive spice, saffron, sourced from Adanks Biofarm in Fläsch, Switzerland. Passengers can savour delights like saffron cream soup with crispy bacon, corn-fed chicken breast with saffron sauce, bouillabaisse in saffron broth, and saffron tart with ice cream. Passengers in First and Business can enjoy a à la carte menu with gourmet starters, and main courses, complemented by exclusive wines, champagne, and freshly brewed coffee—a dining experience that rivals the finest restaurants.
Renowned chefs created another special seasonal menu, the SWISS Taste of Switzerland, running from March 6 to June 4, 2024, where passengers can enjoy creations by Sandro Steingruber from the award-winning Restaurant Vista in the canton of Grisons.
Meanwhile, in SWISS Premium Economy, passengers can enjoy a refreshing elderberry welcome drink, followed by a choice of three hot main courses served on fine china.
On SWISS, passengers can truly experience the taste of Switzerland with every bite.
EMIRATES
Emirates has always stood out for its exceptional in-flight dining experience, seamlessly blending its culinary innovations with traditional flavours. Whether it’s a meal served on Royal Doulton, fine bone china in Business Class, or a delightful paneer makhani in Economy, Emirates ensures quality and variety at every level.
Passengers in the First Class can indulge in rich caviar, paired with a fine choice of wines or The Dalmore King Alexander III, a unique single malt whiskey. The menus in Business Class feature regional delicacies like traditional Arabic mezze from Dubai, Mauritian chicken curry, and Brazilian moqueca. Passengers in First and Business can also enjoy a movie-night ambiance with popcorn, vegan snacks, and mini burger sliders. And to top it off, they can unwind in the A380 Onboard Lounge with fresh fruits, canapés, pastries, and specialty cocktails.
This blend of diverse offerings and their attention to detail places Emirates at the forefront of sky-high gastronomy.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
Passengers can experience a culinary journey like no other with Singapore Airlines, where world-renowned chefs create exquisite meals for you to enjoy in the sky.
The International Culinary Panel (ICP), featuring chefs like Georges Blanc from France, Matt Moran from Australia, and Sanjeev Kapoor from India, brings a world of flavours to your plate. Yoshihiro Murata’s Kyo-Kaiseki and Hanakoireki meals offer a modern take on centuries-old Japanese cuisine, available on flights to and from Japan. Meanwhile, Zhu Jun’s Shi Quan Shi Mei emphasizes seasonal Chinese flavours paired with exquisite teas on select routes to China.
Adding a touch of sophistication, air sommeliers ensure that each wine perfectly complements your meal, enhancing your dining experience at 30,000 feet. Wine connoisseurs will appreciate the expertly curated wine list, featuring Krug Grande Cuvée, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, and a rotating selection of rare Champagnes from smaller vineyards.
For a personalised touch, the “Book the Cook” service also allows you to pre-select your gourmet meal, including dishes from the ICP, up to 48 hours before departure. Whether you’re in the Suites, First Class, Business Class, or Premium Economy, this service ensures a memorable dining experience tailored to your preferences.
Singapore Airlines’ Epicurean Gallery also introduces seasonal dishes in Suites, First, and Business Class, showcasing rare ingredients from around the world.
QATAR AIRWAYS
Passengers can embark on a culinary adventure with Qatar Airways, where world-class chefs and premium beverages await in the skies. Freshly prepared using local, seasonal ingredients, every meal is a feast.
Qatar Airways’ recent partnership with Gategroup in February promises to elevate inflight dining for passengers. In First and Business Class, the dine-on-demand à la carte menu lets you indulge at your leisure, with spacious dining areas at each seat. First-Class passengers can delight in an exquisite menu starting with Alaskan crab meat cannelloni as an amuse-bouche, followed by a traditional Arabic mezze appetizer, and a sumptuous sous video lobster tail for the main course.
The Q Suite and Business Class dining menus offer a sophisticated selection as well: a Burrata salad with heirloom tomatoes, celery and pear soup with blue cheese crostini, a duo of lamb with mash and seasonal vegetables, and a decadent pistachio mousse for dessert. With Qatar Airways, every flight transforms into a remarkable experience in the skies.
