I’m kind of a freak about taking photos of my airline meals. (Sorry, seatmates!) While most people make fun of inflight food, over the last year, I’ve had several outstanding meals at 35,000 feet for which I’m very thankful today.

Below is a sampling of some of the best. Do you have a favorite inflight meal photo or description? Share it in the comments!

A surprisingly satisfying snack on a United Airlines lie-flat flight from Lihue to SFO. The combination of the walnuts, honey, cheese and apricot on a crunchy cracker along with a glass of red wine. Perfect! Read full post

The healthy Luvo snack that Delta serves on its short California Shuttle flights (SFO-LAX) always makes me feel fresh, thin and fit and ready to take on Los Angeles.  More about Luvo snacks

I was stunned to get this full meal on a short 90-minute lunchtime flight between Istanbul and Athens on a Turkish Airlines A330 in business class. A delicious meze sampler along with sea bass baked in parchment, baba ganoush, cheese and dessert. All served at once due to the short flight, but every bite was amazingly good. And filling.

United has really upped its game this year food-wise and this “rustic quiche” with chicken/mozzarella sausage and roasted multi-colored potatoes (perfectly plated) on an SFO-Newark flight is a prime example. What a nice meal and pleasant change from the old omelet.  Trip Report: United p.s. business class SFO-EWR

A beautifully fresh, well-presented starter of poached prawns and roasted cauliflower with a lovely lemon vinaigrette on my recent trip to Singapore on Singapore Air’s new 17-hour A350 nonstop. Read full post

I’ve never seen inflight food service like I had in both directions on Turkish Airlines between SFO and Istanbul. This plate of chicken skewers was one of several choices, cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. See my Trip Report SFO-IST on Turkish Airlines

The best dessert I had all year was also on Turkish Airlines- this was a perfectly cool, sweet and velvety panna cotta served with raspberries and cream. I could have eaten only this and been satisfied!

After getting one of the best night’s sleep ever upstairs in the bubble on a Qantas 747 between SFO and Sydney, this big, filling and delicious breakfast filled the bill. I’m always a big fan of beans with my eggs when traveling in the UK or its former colonies. What you don’t see in this photo is the flight attendant in the galley making hot toast on request! See my full Qantas Trip Report here.

I fly Virgin America a lot, and my go-to meal in economy class is the protein plate, which includes an egg, sliced turkey, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, cheese grapes and edamame hummus along with pita. That and an Honest T green tea makes for a healthy and satisfying snack or lunch. Don’t miss my Virgin America SFO-Honolulu Trip Report

Again on Qantas, theis somewhat plain-looking vanilla custard for dessert was the perfect end to a great meal on the 14-hour transpac crossing.

Whenever I fly Cathay Pacific, I make it a point to get to the airport early to have a bowl of fresh, made-to-order soup in its lovely lounge at SFO.

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had at 35,000 feet? Please share a description or photo in the comments. 

Bon appetit! And Happy Thanksgiving! 

–Chris McGinnis

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