My 10 Best Airline Meals of 2017

For this year’s final Meal of the Week, I count down my top 10 airline meals of 2017.

1. Garuda Indonesia First Class, CGK-AMS

Garuda asked me what I wanted to eat, and I told them. Rack of lamb? No problem. Fresh berries? No problem. It was not just my best airline meal of the year, but in the running for the best airline meal I’ve ever had in all my years of flying.

> Full Review: Garuda 777-300ER First Class Jakarta – Amsterdam

2. Saudia First Class, JED-LAX

My best flight of 2017 featured my second best meal of 2017. Once again, all thanks go to Chef Rahmi who beautifully prepared a dinner feast. Check out the entire feast in the review link below.

> Full Review: Saudia 777-300ER First Class Jeddah to Los Angeles

3. Alitalia Business Class, FCO-LAX

A delightful pasta course followed by a delightful lamb course made this the second runner up for meal of the year.

> Full Review: Alitalia 777 Business Class Rome to Los Angeles

4. Sun Country First Class, LAX-MSP

I love Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food and Sun Country’s beef kabobs with sautéed vegetables and saffron rice turned out delicious. I will be very sad if Sun Country eliminates first class or first class meals as part of its latest restructuring plan. The cheese plate appetizer was also surprisingly good for packaged cheese.

> Full Review: Sun Country First Class Los Angeles to Minneapolis

5. Iberia Business Class, MAD-LAX

Apricots and chicken go together surprisingly nicely. The appetizers were also delicious, but the main course was truly a treat.

> Full Review: Iberia A330-200 Business Class from Madrid to Los Angeles

6. Iberia Business Class, LHR-MAD

I have had many poor airline steaks this year, but this one on a short hop from London to Madrid turned out beautifully.

> Full Review: Iberia A340-600 Business Class from London to Madrid

7. KLM Business Class,  SFO-AMS

The beef stew was one of the tastiest meals I’ve had all year on the ground or in the air. The mix of flavors and spices worked very well at high altitudes and left me content and yet yearning for more.

> Full Review: San Francisco to Amsterdam in KLM 787-9 World Business Class

8. United Airlines Business Class, EWR-LAX

United’s pretzel bun cheeseburgers are so good I prefer them to most cheeseburgers on the ground. On a recent flight I enjoyed mine so much, I asked for a second one. Best of all, United offers these in both business class (as a plated meal) and for purchase in economy class.

> Read More: The Most Addictive Airline Meal

9. Ethiopian Airlines, DUB-LAX

I’m not so proud to admit this was the first time in my life I had tried Ethiopain food…but I loved it! I just could not bring myself to eat it with my hands.

> Full Review: Ethiopian Airlines 787-8 “Cloud 9” Business Class Dublin to Los Angeles

10. Aegean Economy Class, ATH-AMM

Meatballs are one of my favorite delicacies…or comfort foods if you prefer. In Greece, meatballs are called soutzoukaki. My friend John and I so enjoyed the meatballs on this Aegean flight that we polished off four helpings.

CONCLUSION

Airline meals are one of my favorite subjects and I had millions of calories from airline meals in 2017. I look forward to seeing what 2018 will bring in terms of more great meals.

What was your favorite airline meal in 2017?