Quickie Audio PostCard: Why Airline Food Really IS Bad

[Kaleel Sakakeeny]

Why Does Airline Food Taste so Awful?

(Listen to the 1-minute Travel Audio PostCard)

Is it actually the food the airlines serve (when they do) that tastes so bad, or is it the flying experience make the food taste so awful?

Wired Magazine reported that a handful of brave volunteers made “the ultimate sacrifice for science” and ate airline food. Voluntarily.

Apparently a lab was set up that perfectly simulated the intense dryness, stale air and ear-irritating low pressure of airline cabins.

Germany’s Lufthansa Airlines spearheaded the experiment basically because they wanted some scientific sense of just how air travel affects the taste buds. So the volunteers were jammed into an Airbus A310 fuselage to find out.

From there, the hapless tasters were subjected to motors under the seats recreating the full sense of engine vibrations, while the ”cabin” air pressure was lowered  and humidity reduced to a parching 15%.

The “flyers” were served various meals, tasted the food and, Wired reported,  reported back that the “pressurized cabins dulled the senses,” causing food to taste as if it had 20% less sugar and salt than it actually did.

Lufthansa says it will correct the mistaste by adding more sugar, herbs and spices to liven up the flavor.

They say they’ll also add humidifiers and pay more attention to aroma.

It seems that the nose feasts before the palate so, according to one airline head of on board services: “If you serve hot brown water and fill the cabin with the aroma of coffee, people will perceive the drink as coffee.”

Of course they could just serve good coffee and let the natural aroma entice the passengers.

Now there’s a novel idea.

[Adan Wong]

I don't know about sophisticated, but for sure I have been fortunate to fly on a wide range of carriers in all classes.  Have a great 2013!

[Kaleel Sakakeeny]

Well, Adam, you're clearly a more sophisticated palette. :) . Typically, I have trouble with greasy food- bearing seat mates, and bow with gratitude at any palatable airline chow. In economy class. But we should travel together someday, and compare notes! Have a great 2013 and thanks!

[Adan Wong]

And thanks for replying, Kaleel. ;)  Your earlier comment about passengers bringing their food on board and smelling better than airline food reminds me of comments that I have heard about TACA flights out of its hub in San Salvador.  There is a branch of "Pollo Campero" at that airport which specializes in fried and grilled chicken with a Latin twist and since airline food is so "palatable", passengers are known to bring food from this restaurant chain when they fly out of SAL.  

Since we are talking about airline food, I would say that some of the best meals I have had in economy were on Aeromexico, Thai and Turkish.  In premium cabins, the best so far was on Swiss in first, which came close to restaurant quality followed by Cathay. . 

[Kaleel Sakakeeny]

Yes, of course, Adan, you're right. Not all airline food is created equal (ly)! I was just saying, is all :)

Thanks for writing in. Much appreciated.

[Adan Wong]

Not all economy class meals are created equal and some airlines excel at providing good food.  Take Turkish Airlines for example, which partners with Do & Co and is voted the "Best Airline in Europe" by Skytrax.  I recently flew with them and was impressed by their food and inflight service.  To be honest my expectations were high since I have read a lot of positive feedback on this carrier and they did not disappoint. 

Little touches like hot towels, decent amenity kits and the distribution of bottles of water to each passenger at the end of the first meal service go a long way in creating a lasting impression.  The meals were attractively presented, generous in portion and delicious.  A far cry compared to what is served at most Western competitors. 

Please click on my link below for more information.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1415804-eating-my-way-t...

[Travel with Pen and Palate]

I'd rather have the "no smell" than the plane turned into a mall food court.

[Kaleel Sakakeeny]

Wait, some day they'll surprise you with Pasta or Chicken! Can hardly wait :)

Thanks, Anil

[Anil]

My take on airline food is as follows - Asian carriers consistently serve palatable native cuisine in Economy, than our carriers - "Chicken or Pasta...Chicken or Pasta...Chicken or Pasta" I will leave meals in Business for the time being. Airline Meals in Economy

[Kaleel Sakakeeny]

Well, a lot of passengers are not toilet trained! But sometime, honestly, the food they bring on board smells a whole lot better than the generic, no-smell, smell of airline eats :)

Thanks for writing in

[Travel with Pen and Palate]

Airline food was never any good at any time in airline history, and not even today in business or first class. What's even worse today are people who bring foul smelling junk food into airplanes and leave greasy paper products lying around.