Vote for your favorite inflight food!
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Airplane food has long been an object of ridicule, but airlines have upped their culinary game (even in economy), with seasonal ingredients, destination-inspired menus, and even onboard chefs. Nominated as the best by an expert panel, these 20 airlines offer stellar meals and snacks that taste even better at 30,000 feet.
Which airline do you think serves the best food? Vote for your favorite once per day until polls close on Monday, September 16 at noon ET. The 10 winning airlines, determined by your vote, will be announced on Wednesday, September 25.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
Airplane food has long been an object of ridicule, but airlines have upped their culinary game (even in economy), with seasonal ingredients, destination-inspired menus, and even onboard chefs. Nominated as the best by an expert panel, these 20 airlines offer stellar meals and snacks that taste even better at 30,000 feet.
Which airline do you think serves the best food? Vote for your favorite once per day until polls close on Monday, September 16 at noon ET. The 10 winning airlines, determined by your vote, will be announced on Wednesday, September 25.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
Airplane food has long been an object of ridicule, but airlines have upped their culinary game (even in economy), with seasonal ingredients, destination-inspired menus, and even onboard chefs. Nominated as the best by an... Read More
Best Inflight Food Nominees
Air France
Passengers on Air France flights enjoy one of the best meal services in the air. In addition to wines selected by sommelier Xavier Thuizat, passengers can enjoy an array of meal selections prepared by a variety of chefs, based on travel class and destination. Self-service snack buffets are available on longer flights, and specially made, organic meals are provided for young passengers.
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand's dining experience has been curated to reflect the local cuisine and Māori hospitality. All cabins on long-haul flights can enjoy warm, fresh, carefully prepared meals and New Zealand wines.
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
All Nippon Airways (ANA) works with a team of chefs, sommeliers, and sake experts, known as The Connoisseurs, to prepare carefully-curated menus. From traditional Japanese comfort meals to gourmet fusion dishes, ANA's inflight dining features a robust variety of Japanese and international cuisines. Passengers can enjoy an award-winning selection of premium wine and sake as well.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Thailand Photographer.
Asiana Airlines
Meals aboard Asiana flights reflect Korean cuisine, including traditional favorites and innovative dishes with a blend of influences. A panel of sommeliers have curated the wine list, which is available to all passengers and includes selections from regions around the globe.
Austrian Airlines
Enjoy regionally inspired meals and snacks from the Austrian Melangerie aboard Austrian Airlines flights in Economy Class. Long-haul Business Class passengers can enjoy a sophisticated, hearty, multi-course dining experience. Long-haul flights also provide passengers with desserts, cheese plates, and Austrian coffee — a culinary experience evocative of traditional Viennese coffeehouse culture.
Photo courtesy of British Airways
British Airways
British Airways prides itself on offering quality cuisine, regardless of flight length, cabin, or dietary restrictions. Their delicious, chef-curated menus range from sweet and savory treats and drinks to gourmet, three-course meals on longer flights. Business Class passengers receive even more menu choices, including afternoon tea on select flights, and First Class passengers can curate their experience by ordering on-demand from an exclusive and luxurious a la carte menu.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific curates inflight dining menus with exceptional detail, and uses in-season, sustainably-sourced ingredients whenever possible. Options feature the traditional cuisine and popular brands from Hong Kong, plus a variety of international recipes.
Delta Air Lines
Meals aboard Delta Air Lines are reimagined every season, using ingredients from local artisans and farmers whenever possible. Delta One passengers can enjoy dishes made with fresh, regional ingredients made by culinary experts, as well as complimentary beer, wine, and liquor service.
Photo courtesy of Emirates Airline
Emirates
Every Emirates passenger receives a multi-course meal inspired by the flavors of each destination, accompanied by a selection of wines, beers, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages. Plus, passengers can get a behind-the-scenes look at how meals are created on the Emirates inflight Food and Wine channels. First class passengers can select from an exceptionally robust menu, and order right to their private cabins.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways passengers receive multiple inflight meal choices, each made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, featuring the destination's cuisine. Meals in Economy include fresh-baked rolls, desserts, and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Business and First Class passengers can order from an exquisite a la carte menu.
Photo courtesy of KSChong // Getty Images
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines offers passengers an experience of Hawaii hospitality through its island-inspired food and drink menus, which are curated by chefs and a master sommelier. Beverage selections feature Lion Coffee, Maui Brewing Company, and Ko Hana Rum cocktails.
Photo courtesy of ITA Airways
ITA Airways
When flying with ITA Airways, passengers will enjoy a meal service carefully curated by top Italian chefs. Menus are both traditional and sophisticated, as are the options for those with dietary restrictions. ITA's inflight menu is varied, and each flight's food options reflect the destination's cuisine.
Photo courtesy of santypan / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
JetBlue
All JetBlue flights include complimentary snacks and drinks from popular brands like PopChips, Pepsi, and Dunkin'. In addition, passengers can purchase premium alcoholic beverages and curated snack boxes, plus farm-to-table meal trays on transatlantic flights.
Korean Air
Korean Air's inflight dining service features seasonal meals made with fresh ingredients. Cabin class aside, their menus typically reflect traditional Korean cuisine, while the Prestige and First Class dining experience is more elaborate and varied. Long-haul flights also include snack service, with options ranging from sandwiches to muffins.
Lufthansa
Long-haul flights with Lufthansa always include a multi-course meal served with an array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Snacks and a second meal are provided, depending on the length of the flight. Business Class meals are flavorful, made with seasonal ingredients, and served on high-quality tableware. First Class passengers enjoy caviar service, on-demand dining, and a general elegance exemplary of Lufthansa's high quality.
Qantas
Qantas has recently updated their unique inflight dining menu to feature even more Australian flavor. Passengers can enjoy some of Australia's most robust and fresh ingredients, including plant-based options and meals to address varying dietary needs.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways' inflight menus have been designed by some of the world’s top chefs, and feature local, in-season ingredients and an array of refreshing drinks. Business and First Class passengers can pre-select meals and order á la carte dishes on demand.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines' International Culinary Panel, comprised of five international chefs, crafts dishes that are tested in simulated pressurized cabins in order to ensure that their creations are exceptionally delicious and high-quality, even at 30,000 feet. Passengers starting in Premium Economy can reserve their main course 15 days in advance.
Photo courtesy of Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines features a rotating inflight menu in order to incorporate seasonal ingredients and timely culinary trends. Plus, on select flights, "flying chefs" prepare passengers' dishes at 30,000 feet. Shorter flights serve passengers sandwiches on homemade artisan bread, and long-haul flights feature multi-course, meticulously made menus.
United Airlines
On United, passengers can enjoy drinks and snacks made by popular brands like Coca-Cola, Minute Maid, Undercover Snacks, and That's It, which are complimentary for Economy passengers on flights longer than 300 miles. Many refreshments, such as alcoholic drinks and United's various Snackboxes — are available for purchase.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based... Read More
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Christopher Parr
Christopher Parr is the Founder and... Read More
Christopher Parr is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Pursuitist, one of the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle and travel guides. Named a "Top 10 Luxury Travel Blogger” by USA Today 10Best, Parr has also been selected as the official winner in Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ 2023 list of the “Top 50 Best Luxury Influencers and Bloggers in the World.” In addition to Pursuitist, Christopher is a contributor to numerous travel and luxury publications and TV shows, including being the host of Travel Tuesday on CBS. Follow along on Twitter.
Christopher Parr
Christopher Parr is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Pursuitist, one of the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle and travel guides. Named a "Top 10 Luxury Travel Blogger” by USA Today 10Best, Parr has also been selected as the official winner in Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ 2023 list of the “Top 50 Best Luxury Influencers and Bloggers in the World.” In addition to Pursuitist, Christopher is a contributor to numerous travel and luxury publications and TV shows, including being the host of Travel Tuesday on CBS. Follow along on Twitter.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music... Read More
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Molly O'Brien
Molly O'Brien is a Los Angeles-based freelance... Read More
Molly O'Brien is a Los Angeles-based freelance travel journalist, who writes and edits for a variety of international travel and lifestyle outlets including Fodor’s Travel, Travel + Leisure, and Business Insider among others. She's lived on both coasts from Massachusetts to California and has so far made Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, San Luis Obispo, Barcelona, and Los Angeles her home. Molly earned her journalism degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast of California and since then has worked professionally in the fields of hospitality and travel PR and most recently, as a freelance travel writer and editor. Molly especially enjoys covering feature profiles about interesting people doing interesting things such as chocolate making, beekeeping, wing-walking, and interesting destinations like under-the-radar wine spots, the best brewery towns, and lesser-known ski destinations. She also loves to write about a boutique hotel with a good story. When she's not writing, Molly enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring new coffee shops and breweries, and of course, traveling. Her favorite city in the world (so far) is Barcelona, Spain, but she loves traveling anywhere that offers sunny weather and ample hiking opportunities. She loves spending time in the mountains, enjoys connecting with nature through camping and glamping adventures, and is always up for learning about the world through fun, immersive experiences (and then sharing those stories!). You can connect with Molly here: Instagram: @metropolitanmolly Twitter: @Molly_A_OBrien Facebook: @MetropolitanMolly LinkedIn: @mollyannobrien www.metropolitanmolly.com
Molly O'Brien
Molly O'Brien is a Los Angeles-based freelance travel journalist, who writes and edits for a variety of international travel and lifestyle outlets including Fodor’s Travel, Travel + Leisure, and Business Insider among others. She's lived on both coasts from Massachusetts to California and has so far made Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, San Luis Obispo, Barcelona, and Los Angeles her home. Molly earned her journalism degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast of California and since then has worked professionally in the fields of hospitality and travel PR and most recently, as a freelance travel writer and editor. Molly especially enjoys covering feature profiles about interesting people doing interesting things such as chocolate making, beekeeping, wing-walking, and interesting destinations like under-the-radar wine spots, the best brewery towns, and lesser-known ski destinations. She also loves to write about a boutique hotel with a good story. When she's not writing, Molly enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring new coffee shops and breweries, and of course, traveling. Her favorite city in the world (so far) is Barcelona, Spain, but she loves traveling anywhere that offers sunny weather and ample hiking opportunities. She loves spending time in the mountains, enjoys connecting with nature through camping and glamping adventures, and is always up for learning about the world through fun, immersive experiences (and then sharing those stories!). You can connect with Molly here: Instagram: @metropolitanmolly Twitter: @Molly_A_OBrien Facebook: @MetropolitanMolly LinkedIn: @mollyannobrien www.metropolitanmolly.com
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist... Read More
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com and Business Traveler magazine among others. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 168 countries, all seven continents and 50 U.S. states. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter or via his website.
Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com and Business Traveler magazine among others. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 168 countries, all seven continents and 50 U.S. states. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter or via his website.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.