For this year’s final Meal of the Week, I count down my top 10 airline meals of 2024.
To be clear, these are only the best meals I have enjoyed over the last year, not my top 10 all-time list. I traveled all over the world in 2024 and experienced so many superb airline meals that it was hard for me to narrow the list down, but I’ve done my best. My focus is only on main courses and there are a few meals from flights I have not yet reviewed.
Top 10 Airline Meals Of 2024
10. Cold Lunch In JetBlue A321 Core Economy Class
My only coach meal on the top-10 list…I must commend JetBlue for the fresh and delicious food in economy class from Paris to New York.
9. Shakshuka On Saudia 787-9 Business Class
Catering on Saudia is very solid and the shakshuka from Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur was outstanding (albeit a bit innovative from the shakshuka I am used to).
8. Herb-Crusted Cod In Brussels Airlines A330 Business Class
I increasingly order fish on airplanes when I can and the fish on Brussels Airlines in business class from Brussels to New York was delicious.
7. “Black And Bleu” Filet Mignon On American Airlines A321 Business Class
Kudos to AA for finally pulling off a steak well…the bleu cheese gave this dish an excellent flavor.
6. Salmon On Delta Air Lines A330-900neo Delta One Business Class
This wasn’t a beautiful dish in terms of flavor, but the salmon was delicious and the borlotti beans, braised fennel, and lemon-thyme vinaigrette really added to this dish.
Full flight review here.
5. Short Ribs On Delta Air Lines 767-300 Delta One Business Class
Delta’s short ribs are really all they are hyped up to be…this was a moist, flavorful, and tender dish.
4. Lamb Shoulder On JetBlue A321 Mint Business Class
My dinner from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Los Angeles (LAX) included a decadent lamb shoulder and a delicious Cacio e Pepe.
Full flight review here.
3. Slow-Roasted Sea Bass Kabsa On Saudia A330 Business Class
My fish from Tunis to Jeddah was the most tender and flavorful fish I ate all year… whether in the air or on the ground. I wish I had his recipe!
Full flight review here.
2. Braised Leg Of Lamb On SAS A330 Business Class
The food on SAS never disappoints and the braised leg of lamb was perfect on my flight from Newark to Copenhagen…
1. Japan Airlines Pasta + Fish + Steak Dinner In A350-1000 First Class
These three pictures are all from one meal (and there were several additional courses)! Whether you order a Japanese or Western meal on JAL, you are in for a feast and this meal was not just high quantity, but high quality.
Full flight review here.
I am very thankful for all the great meals I enjoyed this year and look forward to many more in 2025.
What was your favorite airline meal in 2024?
You have not been flying much Asian based airline. If you have flown more Asian based airline, it would never cross your mind to put any US BASED carrier or EU BASED carrier slop onto your top airline meals. My condolences to you.
Not sure I agree with this. While the service is almost always going to be better on a high quality Asian airline, the catering can sometimes be hit or miss. As some examples, I’m not a huge fan of the JL catering in business- it’s nothing like the amazing meals they have in F. And CX’s J catering has varied widely over the years- there are periods when it’s been great and periods when it hasn’t. Some CX fliers haven’t been happy that some of the former midflight snack options have showed up as entree choices for the main meal.
The short ribs on Delta One is the real deal. It never disappoints.
I try to avoid eating on planes although on international flights that is tough to do. I did avoid all food when I came back after having food poisoning or something similar in Munich a couple of days earlier. I didn’t want to risk a reoccurrence.
I will say on a couple of Austrian Air flights, the food has been very good. I’ve never flown on any asian airlines.
Give me something safe and unlikely to have spoiled.
Happy New Year.
You might bring some sandwiches or home food .
You must not have flown much AF/KLM business class. Anything Do&Co like BA, Austrian or IB will also be top.
I presume you are referring to long haul. KLM business class catering on the European routes is extremely poor (I didn’t know that pinot grigio could really be disgusting until I tried the one they served me). Between that and the mice in the lounge, I have no plans to fly them intercontinentally if I can help it.
I2 (Iberia Express), on the other hand, impressed me with their catering when I flew them to MAN in September. Aegean continue to serve excellent food, too, although I get the impression that they have shrunk the portion sizes.
I was referring to long haul. I’ve had some surprisingly good business class meals on KLM TATL.
For the few flights I take I bring the old standby stomach soothing PBJ