When I fly on red eye flights, I usually go for the express meal option, in order to maximize my sleep on shorter long haul flights (like YYZ > CDG). Once I requested this early in the flight, before take off, and was served my tray right at the start of drink service. Another time, I requested it early as well, and was served my tray at the same time as everyone else’s meal and last, almost 2hrs into the flight. I was seated in 1A, which tends to be served last).

My question is, are express meal trays expected to be served first, regardless of status/location or there’s no set guidelines ?