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What used to be a woman's size 12 in 1968 is a woman's size 4 today; what used to be third-class is economy-class today. What changed? We've grown more sensitive: I'm not overweight, I still fit into a size 12. I'm not a third-class passenger: I'm a price-conscious individual that rides in economy-class.
Despite the name games, airline food hasn't changed much. Economy class meals still come in a wrapper, and business class meals come with real cutlery. This list shows the sometimes striking difference between what the different classes eat in side by side comparison photos.
What do you think about the differences in airplane foods? Submit your comments and food menu photos below, and remember: cheap flight food isn't bad because it's cheap; it's purposefully bad to encourage those with money to buy upper-class tickets!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Japan Airlines
RELATED:
#2
Air France
TynnaSellenne 9 years ago
You get half of the food displayed in Economy, I dread flying Air France because their service is mediocre and they messed up my luggage.
TristanBlakeman 9 years ago
I've taken Air France several times and have been bumped to first class three times. The food (and service!) in first class is first class! Delicious, beautiful - and plenty of it - with all the champagne you can drink.
DianaHansen 9 years ago
i mus be the poor traveler who really enjoys the food i get. its a treat to have someone else make and serve it to me. the rich people just have more reason to be picky and turn up their noses if it does not suit their taste.
ChristopherChang 9 years ago
Maybe it tells us that the airline is trying to get the economy class people to sleep after a heavy meal ?
François Gallardo 9 years ago
i bet this is the business entree..and before there was an amazing appetizer..and after this followed an amazing desert..and i think you can ask for more of whatever you like in business/first
François Gallardo 9 years ago
the diference is what your seeing in the economy photo that looks so good...is all youre getting..
FrancesEkwue 9 years ago
A whole baguette in economy as opposed to some random 3 potatoes? Why should I go First Class again?
divydumdrophello 9 years ago
actually the economy class looks WAY MORE DELICIOUS then 3 POTATOES AND SOME ROSEMARY, but on the other hand u do have slippers and ur feet up in first class...I'm indecisive, what can I say
SamRawson 9 years ago
Having had the misfortune to travel air France from Malaysia last year- I was booked KLM but as their partner put on air France- I can tell you the food & service are diabolical. Worst I have ever experienced & I would never voluntarily travel with them. This is nothing like the food offering. Service & staff attitudes awful as well. It's like they are doing you a favour!
ClaireDuke 9 years ago
Im sitting here thinking how fancy even the economy class looks then i look up at the empty bowl of the cereal i had for dinner last night.
Sally-AnnMcCarthy 9 years ago
Air France rock ! The economy looks way better. The French know better than to serve up sub par shite to the proletariat, heads would roll lol
martin_bagley 9 years ago
The first class meal shows only one course. You get 4 including as much brandy and wine as you feel appropriate to consume!
BalazsGyemant 9 years ago
I travelled a lot on AF-KLM-DL in the last three years. Here are all my food pictures from those flights (and some others): https://www.boredpanda.com/i-photographed-all-my-mile-high-food-for-3-years/
#5
Thai Airways
#6
British Airways
LenaWagenfuehr 9 years ago
why do airlines think people who are fool enough to shell out the extra dosh to buy the business/first class tickets can be trusted with cutlery/real glasses?
#7
Turkish Airlines
MaschaClaessens 9 years ago
Mainly the side dishes that look better in first class here.. :P And someone already ate the bread :')
#8
Singapore Airlines
#10
Aegean Airlines
#12
Klm
IrinaMaksimova 9 years ago
Yeah, must be transatlantic. Klm around Europe has crapy sandwich in Economy and nice 3 course meal in Business
#13
Kenya Airlines
#14
Lufthansa
MarielaGaneva 9 years ago
In the past 3-4 year I have flied with Lufthansa fairly often and all they ever give in economy class is a sandwich. Where did you get these photos from? :D :D
#15
American Airlines
AmandaMitschele 9 years ago
I can guarantee this is a transatlantic flight because cross country you're lucky if u get a bag of nuts
#16
Korean Airlines
#17
Air China
#18
United
#19
Delta
TynnaSellenne 9 years ago
Delta has decent food, however you get a main course, an appetizer (not 2 like in the picture) and something sweet like a small candy bar. You get bread and margarine (no cheese, I got spoilt by Qatar and Etihad, sigh) and in Economy your selection of drinks is sort of limited compared to other long-haul airlines.
#20
Klm Economy Class
Final score:
10points
MatthewOakes 9 years ago
I'm a "tree hugger". How is it with "respect" that they still killed the chicken?
#21
Garuda Indonesia - 1st Class (main Course And Dessert From 3course Meal)
Final score:
3points
#23
Garuda Indonesia - 1st Class (main Course And Dessert From 3course Meal)
Final score:
1point
#24
Alitalia - Medium Haul Economy Class Over 3 Hours & Medium Haul Business Class
Final score:
1point
#25
Klm Economy (european Flight)
Final score:
-1point
BarbaraPerezKohler (Submission author) 9 years ago
Unboxing the sandwich was funny, the happy cows made me laugh quite a lot ;-)
Add New Image
What do you think ?
PaulaDe 9 years ago
its stale cheap food that has no taste though...;))) sometimes less in more!
Load More Replies...
HarryJones 9 years ago
I get the suspicion that a deliberate effort was made here to make first class/business class seem worse than economy :/
IvanIvanovich 9 years ago
well, that comparison is not fair, cause business gives you 3 course meal, so there should be 3 photos compared to 1 tray. Waste of my time;)
Michel Guntern 9 years ago
Not all airline food is bad after all. Even much of Economy was more than acceptable.
simonsmith 9 years ago
I did forget about comfort,thats what I guess you are paying more full and Air Hostess more on your Demand.
SamRawson 9 years ago
The problem with most of these pictures is business class serves each course separately so here you only see one of them compared to the whole medal stuffed on one tray in economy. It gives a very false impression. The air France economy picture is laughable compared to reality on long haul flights.
MimiTGène 9 years ago
You can't really "judge" each cabin with just one picture. This article is pretty misleading. From what I've experienced, in economy class, you're fed depending on the duration of your flight. The longer your haul, the "more" food you'll be fed. Most of the time, if your flight is under 2 hours: no food. 2hrs + and throw in overnight getting to your destination around 0800 or 1000, you're in for 2-3 or 4 meals with snacks in between. On the other hand, I had the feeling business class just feeds the hell out of you to knock you out solid. I had well over 5 courses once (flying from Geneva to Montreal, Canada) with snacks and non-stop alcohol refills. Take this with a grain of salt as it may differ from airlines to airlines and I'm no expert :).
CassieWilliams 9 years ago
I am most interested in the differences between the types of foods provided from airlines from different countries rather than the difference between economy and first class.
MunizaTariq 9 years ago
I don't see much difference in the food as there is in the fare of economy and business classes and anyway the idea of taking a flight....at least for me..... is to get from point A to point B...what difference does it make what one is served on board.as long as it's enough to satisfy one's hunger pangs.
BalazsGyemant 9 years ago
The menus are changing! Take a look at my last 3 years of airplane food: https://www.boredpanda.com/i-photographed-all-my-mile-high-food-for-3-years/
RenatoPandorf 9 years ago
You guys should check what they serve in Brazilian economy classes, hahaha
gayarfidsurvivor 1 year ago
Economy classs is better since THATS ALL I EVER RODE (and premium eco as well ofc ofc)
Scott Seeger 3 years ago
I kind of think all of them look pretty darn good. Not sure why economy class folks think they should get high end food when they don't want to fork out the money for it.
Vladimir Djordjevic 8 years ago
United is the worst airline i ever traveled with. With a 3 hour flight (domestic or international) u get only snacs.Even the onboard entertainment is being charged.... Cheapskates.The worst!!!
Nancy Samuel 8 years ago
The food shown is different from the really food served it is not to the grade stated or shown. Pls see that good food is served be it economy or first class. All fares are high as per individual's pocket
simonsmith 9 years ago
Wow,Iam impressed how there is not much difference between,first and Economy accept for steak,I guess, Alcohol is always free on international flights anyway
SusanRiley 9 years ago
Do they even serve a bag of stale peanuts on American economy class any more?
KirstyPowell 9 years ago
You should try to be intolerant on a plane!! I was given a lettuce sandwich for lunch from Qatar Airlines, the "hotel in the sky". Yes, I was in economy. But that is just ridiculous. And for the record, I can't have dairy. FAIL!!
BrianZhong 9 years ago
Wait a minute.... That's some sharp, pointy, metal cutlery in there. How could the TSA allow such things on airplanes?! Clearly some "terrorist" will grab one of those blunt knives and start holding people hostage.
ADayInTheLife 9 years ago
The only huge difference in some airlines is the plate/cutlery the meal is served with...
JessicaCompton 9 years ago
Out of all of these options I would choose first class all the way. I don't eat much, and that's the perfect amount of food for me. Much nicer quality too
BernhardMäser 9 years ago
soooo, to get a knife onto an airplaine, i just have to order first class and get one for free with my steak? great!
LenaWagenfuehr 9 years ago
If I were a terrorist, I'd shell out the extra cash to fly first class, where your meals are served with metal utensils and glasses! No bother smuggling my tools in my luggage, just use what's handy!
MunizaTariq 9 years ago
This idea always crosses my mind when I'm travelling business class...what if I were a terrorist or just a psychopath looking for some action.
Load More Replies...
ElizabethMacTavish 9 years ago
Germany is awesome(came back last August), it's hearty hot and filling and that was economy. I flown back there twice and was happy every single time. Oh and I had my husband and two kids with me and they enjoyed it.
Morgiana 9 years ago
These pictures are so wrong. First: most of those airlines' economy classes don't always provide you with that food on intercontinental flights, even if you are flying the same route multiple times. Second: business class often has multiple courses, so it's not only one plate you get as shown in some pictures. Also food isn't purposefully bad to make you buy more expensive tickets. Food is not the most important reason to go business class. But it is indeed better in business class as a co-factor for people to not start flying cheaper.
PaulaDe 9 years ago
its stale cheap food that has no taste though...;))) sometimes less in more!
Load More Replies... HarryJones 9 years ago
I get the suspicion that a deliberate effort was made here to make first class/business class seem worse than economy :/
IvanIvanovich 9 years ago
well, that comparison is not fair, cause business gives you 3 course meal, so there should be 3 photos compared to 1 tray. Waste of my time;)
Michel Guntern 9 years ago
Not all airline food is bad after all. Even much of Economy was more than acceptable.
simonsmith 9 years ago
I did forget about comfort,thats what I guess you are paying more full and Air Hostess more on your Demand.
SamRawson 9 years ago
The problem with most of these pictures is business class serves each course separately so here you only see one of them compared to the whole medal stuffed on one tray in economy. It gives a very false impression. The air France economy picture is laughable compared to reality on long haul flights.
MimiTGène 9 years ago
You can't really "judge" each cabin with just one picture. This article is pretty misleading. From what I've experienced, in economy class, you're fed depending on the duration of your flight. The longer your haul, the "more" food you'll be fed. Most of the time, if your flight is under 2 hours: no food. 2hrs + and throw in overnight getting to your destination around 0800 or 1000, you're in for 2-3 or 4 meals with snacks in between. On the other hand, I had the feeling business class just feeds the hell out of you to knock you out solid. I had well over 5 courses once (flying from Geneva to Montreal, Canada) with snacks and non-stop alcohol refills. Take this with a grain of salt as it may differ from airlines to airlines and I'm no expert :).
CassieWilliams 9 years ago
I am most interested in the differences between the types of foods provided from airlines from different countries rather than the difference between economy and first class.
MunizaTariq 9 years ago
I don't see much difference in the food as there is in the fare of economy and business classes and anyway the idea of taking a flight....at least for me..... is to get from point A to point B...what difference does it make what one is served on board.as long as it's enough to satisfy one's hunger pangs.
BalazsGyemant 9 years ago
The menus are changing! Take a look at my last 3 years of airplane food: https://www.boredpanda.com/i-photographed-all-my-mile-high-food-for-3-years/
RenatoPandorf 9 years ago
You guys should check what they serve in Brazilian economy classes, hahaha
gayarfidsurvivor 1 year ago
Economy classs is better since THATS ALL I EVER RODE (and premium eco as well ofc ofc)
Scott Seeger 3 years ago
I kind of think all of them look pretty darn good. Not sure why economy class folks think they should get high end food when they don't want to fork out the money for it.
Vladimir Djordjevic 8 years ago
United is the worst airline i ever traveled with. With a 3 hour flight (domestic or international) u get only snacs.Even the onboard entertainment is being charged.... Cheapskates.The worst!!!
Nancy Samuel 8 years ago
The food shown is different from the really food served it is not to the grade stated or shown. Pls see that good food is served be it economy or first class. All fares are high as per individual's pocket
simonsmith 9 years ago
Wow,Iam impressed how there is not much difference between,first and Economy accept for steak,I guess, Alcohol is always free on international flights anyway
SusanRiley 9 years ago
Do they even serve a bag of stale peanuts on American economy class any more?
KirstyPowell 9 years ago
You should try to be intolerant on a plane!! I was given a lettuce sandwich for lunch from Qatar Airlines, the "hotel in the sky". Yes, I was in economy. But that is just ridiculous. And for the record, I can't have dairy. FAIL!!
BrianZhong 9 years ago
Wait a minute.... That's some sharp, pointy, metal cutlery in there. How could the TSA allow such things on airplanes?! Clearly some "terrorist" will grab one of those blunt knives and start holding people hostage.
ADayInTheLife 9 years ago
The only huge difference in some airlines is the plate/cutlery the meal is served with...
JessicaCompton 9 years ago
Out of all of these options I would choose first class all the way. I don't eat much, and that's the perfect amount of food for me. Much nicer quality too
BernhardMäser 9 years ago
soooo, to get a knife onto an airplaine, i just have to order first class and get one for free with my steak? great!
LenaWagenfuehr 9 years ago
If I were a terrorist, I'd shell out the extra cash to fly first class, where your meals are served with metal utensils and glasses! No bother smuggling my tools in my luggage, just use what's handy!
MunizaTariq 9 years ago
This idea always crosses my mind when I'm travelling business class...what if I were a terrorist or just a psychopath looking for some action.
Load More Replies... ElizabethMacTavish 9 years ago
Germany is awesome(came back last August), it's hearty hot and filling and that was economy. I flown back there twice and was happy every single time. Oh and I had my husband and two kids with me and they enjoyed it.
Morgiana 9 years ago
These pictures are so wrong. First: most of those airlines' economy classes don't always provide you with that food on intercontinental flights, even if you are flying the same route multiple times. Second: business class often has multiple courses, so it's not only one plate you get as shown in some pictures. Also food isn't purposefully bad to make you buy more expensive tickets. Food is not the most important reason to go business class. But it is indeed better in business class as a co-factor for people to not start flying cheaper.
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