I'm a guy who appreciates inflight catering more so than most. As such, over the past twenty-three years and two thousand plus flights, I have accumulated over 500 pictures of Alaska's First and Economy Class meal service, There've been many offerings over the years, along with changes in catering quality - some better, some worse. In any event, I thought I'd share just a few of them with you all, to better appreciate where we are and where we've been. Bon Apetite!

I might add that as the originator of the What Will Alaska Airlines Be Serving in First Class on Your Flight thread, it was my hope that it would display much like the pictures and basic descriptions you'll see below. Unfortunately, human nature is such that participants were unable to limit themselves to only pictures and instead added lots of extraneous commentary of entree likes and dislikes in addition to clipping and dragging a multitude of other people's' pictures and posts, thus leaving the thread comparatively cluttered and distracting. This is more to my liking - just the pictures.

So here's to a celebration of one of the most enjoyable aspects of a quality First Class flight. A welcome cocktail, a satisfying meal and a nice after service, whatever that may include - an after dinner liqueur, dessert, relaxation with a pass from the snack basket...

So please, enjoy these pictures and the memories of a good meal aloft.

BTW, I will add just a few photos at a time, year by year. Let's start with 2003




Anchorage to Seattle ~ March 2003 ~ DINNER
Mediterranean Chicken
Accented with a tomato and olive compote
Accompanied by confetti rice and snow peas

Seattle to Los Angeles ~ April 2003 ~ DINNER
Portobello Mushroom Pasta
Served with a creamy shallot sauce


San Francisco to Seattle ~ April 2003 ~ SNACK
Turkey Sandwich with Pasta Salad
This was offered as a snack


Denver to Seattle ~ April 2003 ~ DESSERT
Pumpkin Cheesecake


Seattle to Anchorage ~ May 2003 ~ DINNER
Sun Dried Tomato Crusted Halibut
Presented with fresh buttered asparagus and yams Lyonnaise


Seattle to Miami ~ September 2003 ~ BREAKFAST APPETIZER
Fruit Plate Appetizer

Seattle to Miami ~ September 2003 ~ BREAKFAST
Asiago Cheese Omelette
Topped with sliced mushrooms and green onions. Presented with roasted potatoes, sautéed spinach and turkey sausage


Miami to Seattle ~ September 2003 ~ DINNER SALAD
Spinach Salad
Topped with mushrooms, bacon and fresh Asiago cheese.
Served with Creamy Garlic Peppercorn dressing


Miami to Seattle ~ September 2003 ~ DINNER
Beef Filet with Pink Peppercorn Sauce
Accompanied by fried rice and a medley of green and red peppers


Miami to Seattle ~ September 2003 ~ DINNER
Fresh Fruit and Custard Tart


Las Vegas to Seattle ~ November 2003 ~ LUNCHEON ENTREE SALAD
Chicken Salad
This was offered as a luncheon entree

Looking at the quantity and apparent quality of food in these pictures, one thing stands out.

We were served properly plated meals in the pictures above. These days we're served food in dishes and bowls - like the Economy Class services of old.

Back in 2003, we were served proper, plated salads of a decent size. These days - if we get a salad at all - it's in a tiny square dish that allows for only a fraction of the lettuce and veggies we used to get.

Desserts were First Class - delicious pies, cheesecakes, tarts that reflect a higher plane of dining than that found in coach.

These days, we get a cookie in a paper bag. With the elimination of coach meals, there is no higher plane for inflight dining anymore.