Exclusive
EAT UP
I flew on the airline with the world’s best plane food – and it was better than restaurant meals on the ground
And three other award-winning airlines that we tried out
PLANE food often gets a bad rap for being bland and tasteless.
But one airline is said to have the very best in the world - so I went to check it out.
Last year, Korean Airlines was given the accolade of Best Airline Cuisine in Global Traveler's 2023 Tested Reader Survey awards, as well as taking second place for inflight food in the 2023 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
6
6
6
I opted to fly with the airline on a recent trip to South Korea, with the Korean airline having direct daily flights from London Heathrow to Seoul.
I headed straight to it's Prestige Class, similar to business class.
Walking through the fancy First Class pods, I took my seat and was immediately greeted with a glass of Champagne.
The wine list has been curated by Marc Almert, who was crowned ASI World’s Best Sommelier 2019.
Straight away I was impressed with the amount of space I had.
While the layout is 2-2-2, I never felt like I was being distrubed by the person next to me thanks to the optional privacy screen.
And while I had a window seat, each of them has a private 'corridor' to access the aisle without disturbing my neighbour.
Most read in News Travel
I went to settle in, and was amazed by the legroom - being 5"5, I was unable to rest my feet on the foot rest without slouching.
Film and TV choices were in abundance, with new releases including Oppenheimer and Barbie.
Emirates business class review
But I was itching to try the food, which was thankfully served shortly after take-off.
The main star of the show was the plane's bibimbap, a staple Korean dish made up of rice and vegetables and available in all of the airline's classes.
The beef was full of flavour and not chewy at all - something that often happens on flights - with the veg somehow still crisp without tasting like it had been refrigerated.
Along with the sticky rice and broth, the flight attendant seemed rather stunned to pass by and see how quickly I had eaten it.
Thankfully I had a platter of cheese and fruit to keep me occupied until the end of service.
But if you get hungry, there is even the option to order a bowl of ramyen anytime on the flight, with the choice of spicy or non-spicy.
I of course went for the latter, and found it came with pickled radishes as well as sausages and meat on top.
6
6
6
Even if I had wanted to stay awake for the flight, the amount of food in me sent me off to a reluctant sleep, making full use of the lie flat beds that had more than enough room without feeling cramped.
But the good food didn't end there - with breakfast one of my favourites being a savoury rice porridge with beef and seaweed.
Don't worry if you want a more western dish - others include a beef stew, which was also full of flavour as well as options like roasted cod or chicken
And my friend, who was back in economy, compared her bibimbap to mine, and said it looked not only similar but sounded just as tasty too.
She was also given the option of cup ramen, with unlimited amounts for free.
I can't say for sure, but even I was surprised when I wasn't hit by jet lag either on arrival or my return home - and can only surmise it was the food.
Sun Online Travel's Sophie recently reviewed the business class on the best airline in the world.
And here's what it's like to fly in Qatar's QSuite, named the world's best business class option.
Read More on The US Sun
We also tried out Finnair's business class 'pods' that don't recline - but here's why we were sold.
Airlines with the best plane food
Korean Air
Korean Air won best airline cuisine in last year's Global Traveler's awards.
Some of their popular dishes onboard include bibimbap, a Korean rice dish, and ssambap, Korean rice lettuce rolls.
It also made the top 10 for airlines with the best plane food in CN Travelers 2023 Readers' Choice Awards.
Japan Airlines
Coming in first place in the Reader's Choice Awards was Japan Airlines.
The airline has partnered with six Michelin-star chefs, each of whom have three stars - so you can expect it to be good.
Passengers can choose bento boxes and miso soups onboard.
Singapore Airlines
Often voted one of the best airlines in the world, it is no surprising Singapore Airlines is said to have some of the best plane food.
Chef Dennis Littley said: "Their gourmet meals rival those of ground-based restaurants."
Dishes include congee, a rice porridge, as well as Singaporean rice and curry options.