0 min left

A (Culinary) Fare War Among the Big Three Has Reheated

U.S. airlines have once again decided that the path to passengers’ hearts is through their stomachs – celebrity chefs, farm-to-tray-table meals and hipster treats are now very much in vogue and in-flight.

Lately, it seems that the major airlines in the U.S. are intent on outdoing each other when it comes to in-flight dining, or at least when it comes to boasting about new concepts in onboard catering. Though legacy carriers have claimed to have reinvented the idea of airplane food dozens of times in the past, American, United and Delta have all promised in recent weeks that a gourmet renaissance is coming to cabins.

Earlier this month, American Airlines unveiled in-flight meals created by Japan Airlines Chef Jun Kurogi for business class passengers traveling between Japan and North America. The menu will include exotic fare such as “seared squid with ondo tomago and soft-boiled egg yolk,” eel omelets, and jelly fish salad.

“Chef Kurogi is one of Japan’s top chefs and owner of Kurogi Shiba Daimon Tokyo,” American Airlines officials said in a heady statement announcing the new collaboration. “He is renowned for the simple elegance and attention to detail in his cuisine. Chef Kurogi’s meals are designed in collaboration with our Pacific Joint Business partner Japan Airlines and focus on maximizing the value of ingredients and highlighting the ambrosial taste of Japanese cuisine.”

The airline has also selected award-winning celebrity chef Sean Connolly to create a premium cabin menu for flights between North America and destinations in New Zealand and Australia. Previously, AA announced that Chef Maneet Chauhan would create new premium cabin menus for flights from the U.S. to mainland China and named James Beard award-winning sommelier Bobby Stuckey to lead its wine program.

Meanwhile, United Airlines has introduced locally sourced seasonal items for purchase on flights between the U.S. and Canada. Selections include hipster-friendly selections such as a wheat berry salad with quinoa, sun-dried tomato basil hummus and a carrot edamame salad.

Delta Air Lines, on the other hand, has opted for the best of both worlds. The carrier has employed both “regionally sourced cuisine” and partnerships with celebrity chefs to rework its inflight dining options.

“Beginning March 1, regionally inspired meals designed by Delta’s new, exclusive culinary consulting partners and chefs Jereme Leung and Norio Ueno will launch and pay respect to their Chinese and Japanese cultures so intimately steeped in food traditions,” airline officials explained in a breathless statement this week. “Starting this summer, Delta will also be partnering with Korean chef Woo-Joong Kwon to create regionally inspired meals for customers in flight.”

Not to be outdone by its rivals, the airline will allow elite customers to pre-select meals before boarding to assure that their first choice of entree is available on board. Select Delta One members on flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) will have this option beginning late next month.

The very mention of airline food remains a staple in standup comedy routines (if not the nutritional pyramid). This isn’t something that the introduction of a few celebrity chefs or locally sourced veggies is likely to change anytime soon, but variety is the spice of life after all – and that is certainly something inflight meals have been lacking for a long time.

[Photo: Shutterstock]

Comments are Closed.
10 Comments
C
cairns March 23, 2018

This article is nothing but a reprint of what the US big three say they're doing. What they're actually doing isn't said here- but it is in the forums.

V
Vegas Vegan March 23, 2018

And what about the special meals? Still c#%p or will they get made over as well?

M
Motek March 23, 2018

I don't care about hipster food as much as I wish United would actually provide different meals for vegetarians who eat dairy products and those who don't like they say they do. They supposedly offer both vegan and "vegetarian lacto-ovo" for premium cabins but even if you choose the latter, you still get the strict vegan meal, which is annoying for those of us who eat butter and dairy desserts!

W
Wynterwynd March 22, 2018

I wish they would just keep it simple. Delta has overcomplicated their Delta One meals so that the only thing edible is the salad and the soup. When I’m in the back, I bring my own peanut butter and honey sandwiches or pick up a salad at PF Chang’s at DTW. A snack of almonds and dried cranberries gets me through most flights.

S
Superjeff March 22, 2018

How about some decent Buy on Board options for the 99% who are flying in coach? The same disgusting sandwich choices which never change are getting boring.