Restaurant-style dining in the air for big spenders

Before booking an airline ticket, there are so many reasons that have spanned through your mind for making that choice of yours.You probably thought of the kind of products, services and other good things offered by the airline before pitching your tent with it.And one of these reasons could be that the in-flight meals are superb meals are superb in aroma and in taste.You either get on aboard that flight by invitation through a friend or family member or you read about it on the web and you want to have a taste of what the airline talks about and that is why ‘service quality has become a centerpiece for airline companies in vying with one another to keep their image in the minds of passengers, according to Mohd Zahari of World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology. Many airlines have pushed service quality through service personalization which includes both ground and on board especially from the viewpoint of retaining satisfied passengers and

 attracting new ones. Besides those, in-flight meals or food service is another important aspect of the airline operation.Therefore, Airline in-flight food and beverage has undergone something of a revolution in the last decade, reflecting increasingly sophisticated consumer palates and expectations.The in flight meals/food services are now seen as part of marketing strategies in attracting business or leisure travelers.The use of modern and sophisticated equipment for in- flight catering began in the mid 50s when the interior design of the Boeing 737 aircraft incorporated catering functions or gadgets in the aircraft to enrich the customers’ dining experience. The first aircraft ovens and refrigerators were installed in the galleys of Boeing aircraft. With that installation, many airline companies started to serve complete meals/food ranging from cold and hot food to various types of soft and alcoholic beverages. The frozen meals/food were kept in

 cold storage then defrosted and reheated in the electric ovens to the required temperature before being served to the passengers .Since then, in-flight catering has become a multi-million dollar business and continues to mushroom in the industry. Most airlines companies have in fact given serious attention to the in-flight meals/food. In turn they run their own in flight catering operation with units based at all the major airports as a response to the increasing and huge range of customer needsOn some airlines’ cuisines, you can enjoy delicious and innovative food created from sustainable and locally sourced produce and served by trained cabin staff.For some, throughout your flight, you can help yourself to fresh fruit and refreshments available in there galleys. On your long hauls, you will enjoy a fresh seasonal salad, selection of warm breads and your choice with appetizers like thinly sliced chicken served with goat cheese, pecans and beets.On

 Arik Air long hauls, you can enjoy a selection of African and international cuisine, a-la-carte meal service and selection of brand name spirits, red and white wine, champagne, beer and soft drinks.You are also treated to a three-course meal with a selection of African and international cuisine on all flights and additional light snack service on longer flights.“Menus and drinks are carefully selected to reflect our commitment to quality”, says an Arik staffAs for AirFrance, on every flight, you can discover the pleasant surprises offered on its menus. In fact, it is now updated every 10 days for flights departing from Paris.“With simple yet refined main courses full of surprising new flavors, Air France meal service provides an exemplary culinary experience, from appetizers through dessert”. Your meal begins with an array of original amuse-bouches, and continues with a generous sampling of various appetisers and a seasonal salad. Then you can

 choose your main course from among four daily suggestions. Finally, you will top it all off with dessert trio, followed by a fruit selection and sorbet.On board still, you can request the “on the go” option, there , your meal will be served after takeoff. It will consist of a tasty appetiser, a seasonal salad, a selection of cheeses, and dessert trio.For breakfast, AirFrance provides an assortment of fresh, light items including a selection of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and cold meats, or a warm meal.On flights of more than 10 and a half hours, two reserved bar areas equipped with buffets let you enjoy refreshments and meals, relax, or chat with fellow passengers without disturbing the peace and quiet of the cabin. On British Airways (BA), all of its meals are ‘carefully created by leading chefs, and wherever we can we incorporate seasonal produce in our dishes to ensure we use the freshest ingredients with the fullest flavor”.“We tailor our

 menus to incorporate the local cuisine and our aim is to provide you with a delicious, tasty meal that will add to the overall enjoyment of your travel experience”, says a staff of the airline.On its Club world or Business class cabin,  you can choose from the extensive menu, from four-course dining to light salads and snacks, all complemented with fine wines and Champagne.The Club World menu combines the finest local and  international produce in a range of exquisite dishes, from contemporary to classic.‘Tempting options aim to satisfy every gastronome, from healthy eaters to hearty appetites. To accompany your meal, take advantage of our imaginatively selected and expertly sourced wine cellar, stocked with old and new world wines’. On the selection list, you have healthy nibbles, hot healthy whole wheat wraps, and a daily supply of freshly cut fruitsThere are also specialty handmade shortbread from Devon artisan bakery Teoni’s and boxed mini

 pastries.On its World Traveller Plus, passengers will enjoy a tasty three-course meal as well as a complimentary bar service throughout the flight.On flights into and out of London Heathrow, your choice of main course comes from the business class Club World menu.And finally on World Traveller,  you will enjoy a tasty three-course meal as well as a complimentary bar service.Emirates has extended its commitment to offering not just the finest dining experience in the skies, but a dining experience worthy of the finest restaurants all around the world. On the Brisbane-to-Singapore route, for example, the Asian-accented braised beef rib and the fresh, stir-fried lobster in black bean sauce reflect the vivid flavours of the local markets. That’s just one of the regionally inspired menus created with care for our First Class passengers by our world-class chefs.Along with our existing low-calorie offerings, Emirates is now introducing Healthy Meal Options to

 our First Class menus. Our award-winning chefs have designed these meals with an emphasis on creating dishes that promote good health.Combining the freshest, best-quality ingredients with a range of imaginative cooking techniques, Emirates Healthy Meal Options dishes are designed to bring out the food’s natural flavours – without adding excessive fats or oils.Healthy Meal Option dishes are now available on most long-haul Emirates flights around the world.Eating well is an essential part of the Emirates travel experience. Those who have travelled Emirates First Class before know firsthand how committed we are to the planning, preparation, and service of cuisine that is worthy of our passengers’ eminent good taste.Breakfast on longhaul flights includes freshly-squeezed fruit juice, assorted yoghurts and cereals, a choice of three hot breakfast dishes, pastries, bread and preserves, and a selection of teas and freshly-made coffee. Lunch and dinner,

 which are both preceded by hot canapés, feature seven courses served from the trolley: a choice of three hors d’oeuvres; soup; salad; four entrees; two desserts along with five types of cheese, served with port; fresh seasonal fruit; freshly-brewed coffee, a selection of teas and liqueurs and friandises/sweets.   First Class passengers enjoy a complete range of complimentary drinks inflight, including cocktails, champagne, and vintage wines, except on flights to Saudi Arabia. With a phone call to the crew on many of our flights, First Class passengers may order multi-course meals and snacks from an extensive menu at any time. Stylish sundries include hot toast and cappuccino coffee in the morning, and Emirates range of premium speciality teas. All meals are served on bone china tableware, on tray tables laid with fine linen.

Sade Williams