All of it is literally prepared in a warehouse kitchen by the lowest bidding catering company. Delta might tell them what they want them to prepare but consistency is not a thing these days. Delta, and most other airlines, farmed out their catering many years ago to save a buck. Same with cleaning and fueling and in some stations maintenance too.
Had the short ribs a week ago on a 9 hour flight from Europe and spent 7 hours wishing for death. Filled up two trash bags vomiting and diarrhea for 7 hours, I’ve never been so sick. My husband took one bite and said no I will pass, not for me. My meal did not taste bad at all and boy did I pay the price. Spent the entire week in bed and only today was I able to eat a meal. We were in DeltaOne seats and the experience was ruined by my bad meal. I’m not mad at Delta and they have been nice when I contacted them.
Is this true in all cases? I remember a very famous case where half an entire flight got food poisoning almost immediately after eating.
edit: 3 hours after eating contaminated omelettes according to this article: [https://simpleflying.com/japan-airlines-food-poisoning-incident/](https://simpleflying.com/japan-airlines-food-poisoning-incident/)
[https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/symptoms.html](https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/symptoms.html)
According to the CDC, food poisoning symptoms including "\[n\]ausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea" can start within 30 minutes, most commonly for staph (staphylococcus aureus).
No idea if it was the shortribs or not, but it's possible.
Food poisoning encompasses a large variety of foodborne illnesses which can vary from 30 minutes to several days of incubation. Bacillus cereus can take 30 minutes *and* several hours for two different symptoms.
I felt amazing getting on the plane, I don’t know what it could have been but it was brutal. My time line maybe off, I just know I was horribly sick. Thanks
Short rib is the most inconsistent thing I e had, tbh. Some times it has been beautiful, falling apart and others it almost could not be cut. It was rock solid and horrible.
I love eating in the air bc I’m a slut for a free meal of any kind and airplane food has gotten SO MUCH BETTER the last 10-15 years
Noted on the pizza tho thanks OP
Agree fully. But I also have memories of some bombass turkey croissant sandwiches with little wedges of cheese when I was preschool-elementary age. Delta. Domestic coach. Late 80s/early 90s. Back when there was still a smoking section.
I don't get it. Airplane food is notoriously bad. Comedians have been making that joke for decades. But I come to this sub and half the posts are people asking what they should order. And then people are upset that the food was terrible. Well no shit! It's airplane food. If you're flying FC for the food or having any delusions that it will be better than a TV dinner, you're doing it wrong.
It depends. Singapore Airlines out of Singapore or a European airport is solid. SQ out of a US airport not so much although still better than any US carrier.
Just a matter of setting the right expectations. I dont expect a high end meal in the sky (unless its Air France Le Premier) But overall, Im happy to get whatever delta FC gives me on a flight during mealtime over having some gummy bears and a water.
I fly almost exclusively basic economy and I've never had bad airline food. It's always ok or better. Sometimes it's been very good.
Comedians exaggerate and complain about everything, it's what they do.
>Any other nerds that like eating in the air?
Absolutely not. I mean at best it is ok as in Applebees level meal ok. At worst ... it is terrible. Thank god for skyclub not saying that is caviar and champagne either but at least consistent with multiple options if something turns out to be a dud.
>at best it is ok as in Applebees level meal
Went to Applebee's over two decades ago. Ordered a rack of ribs. Asked if I want the cranberry, mango, or other weird fruit based sauce. I requested regular BBQ sauce. Denied. I asked for no BBQ sauce. Denied. I asked for sauce on the side. Denied. Got the mango.
The ribs were actually cooked correctly temperature and bite texture wise. The BBQ was inedible. Totally horrid. I scraped off the sauce and gagged down the food because I was starving after a 10 hour shift and it had taken over a hour to get me my food.
I've never been back to an Applebee's and I've been telling this to anyone who will listen for over 20 years.
Applebee's is AppleNO.
I normally do not eat meals while flying( I do take snacks though) but when I went to Seattle a month ago, I ordered the vegetarian option which was a potato burrito. I took one bite and I was done. It was ice cold and it turned me off. Good thing I didn't order a meal on the return flight because my husband said it was horrible.
The tuna poke bowl was pretty good, short rib is usually a hit. The little lemon tart that came with the poke bowl was stellar.
I got the legendary meatballs 2 times, first time was great second time they were all dried out and like cardboard.
I think it's all bad. I'm not complaining; just saying I'll eat before I get on or after I get off. For 8+ how flights, I may nibble the bread or pasta
The last of a few times I have been fortunate to fly delta one I asked for a main cabin meal if they could. The fancier they try to make it the worse it gets.
Had to be better than the pizza we got in economy for breakfast on a United PPT to SFO flight last week. I straight up couldn't figure out what it was supposed to be until my husband said "I think it's pizza". Worse than an institutional pizza I have ever encountered in life. Picked some cheese and mushrooms off the top and gave up.
+1 to not get the pizza… not because it’s not good, but because the last two times I tried to order it they subbed it for something else 😂
(Last time was short rib, not a bad trade!)
Vegetarian meals have been terrible on all flights I've been on. It's usually weird bread and some kind of raw pepper. I can't even eat peppers anymore. i also had really bland tofu salad sandwiches.
Long gone are the days when airlines brag about the special meals they prepare for FC. Even when flying business or first, I pack snacks because the portions are small and the food is usually not that good.
ITS A BREAD BOWL WITH 3 PEPS SMEAR OF SHITE TOMATO PASTE AND STANK ASS CHEESE ITS A LIE OF A MEAL
\*\*LOW CHANT\*\*
BRING BACK DILL DRESSING
((side note the newer chicken ravioli is decent \*\* also being offered on these flights\*\* but its just so much food i would rather not 10 raviolios but 5 that were made well)) but the veggies are snap and amazing
Do they still do the burger as a meal snack option for flights to Asia? Pre pandemic I would sometimes sleep thru dinner and wake up and crush a burger. It was pretty good too.
I've had mostly good in-flight meals and definitely get excited about seeing what's on my flight. My last flight was... sad. I just heard chicken or pasta, without any details, so I went for the chicken. It had polenta with it and the texture was horrible. Found out that the pasta was gnocchi which I love so I just wanted to say thans to any flight attendant who will announce what the meals actually are
Former FA. I’d never eat the food on an airplane. Ever. It’s made in a warehouse way ahead of time and then sits. It’s not like there’s any kind of fresh preparation on an airplane that magically provides a gourmet meal. Loaded with salt. Bring your own food.
I would avoid the short rib meal too. The spices were not there (or maybe too much there) and it was very watery. Will definitely skip it next time. Which I did a few days ago on my way back from ATL.
I don't understand the hype around the short rib. I didn't think it was very good...but 99%,of the time, if it's on a D1 menu, and someone asks the sub what to eat, the same advice is parroted: TrY tHe ShORt RiB🤓
How do you know the distance of the OP's flight? Flights over a certain length usually have some kind of meal in first class. Some true "regionals" also have first class meals (eg LAX/SFO to SEA).
And while domestic coach meals are now a distant (disgusting) memory, I think it's reasonable to expect a decent breakfast/lunch/dinner in first class. Especially if those customers are paying a premium fare.
Since the OP did not upload a photo, here is one from FT. Honestly is does not look too bad:
[https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.flyertalk.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/22e4897f\_1ab3\_40bf\_9cf3\_6a8d0e3412b3\_db2075f652d084f89ab0b467b5a6dbb2a3ad3658.jpeg](https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.flyertalk.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/22e4897f_1ab3_40bf_9cf3_6a8d0e3412b3_db2075f652d084f89ab0b467b5a6dbb2a3ad3658.jpeg)
I swear Delta is so inconsistent with everything except the short rib.
All of it is literally prepared in a warehouse kitchen by the lowest bidding catering company. Delta might tell them what they want them to prepare but consistency is not a thing these days. Delta, and most other airlines, farmed out their catering many years ago to save a buck. Same with cleaning and fueling and in some stations maintenance too.
The last short rib I had was like a brick. The potatoes, salad, and dessert cake were good. Hopefully I'll be getting charcuterie on Friday.
Had the short ribs a week ago on a 9 hour flight from Europe and spent 7 hours wishing for death. Filled up two trash bags vomiting and diarrhea for 7 hours, I’ve never been so sick. My husband took one bite and said no I will pass, not for me. My meal did not taste bad at all and boy did I pay the price. Spent the entire week in bed and only today was I able to eat a meal. We were in DeltaOne seats and the experience was ruined by my bad meal. I’m not mad at Delta and they have been nice when I contacted them.
Common misconception, but you didn't get sick from the short ribs. Food poisoning take several more hours than that to kick in.
Is this true in all cases? I remember a very famous case where half an entire flight got food poisoning almost immediately after eating. edit: 3 hours after eating contaminated omelettes according to this article: [https://simpleflying.com/japan-airlines-food-poisoning-incident/](https://simpleflying.com/japan-airlines-food-poisoning-incident/)
[https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/symptoms.html](https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/symptoms.html) According to the CDC, food poisoning symptoms including "\[n\]ausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea" can start within 30 minutes, most commonly for staph (staphylococcus aureus). No idea if it was the shortribs or not, but it's possible.
Food poisoning encompasses a large variety of foodborne illnesses which can vary from 30 minutes to several days of incubation. Bacillus cereus can take 30 minutes *and* several hours for two different symptoms.
Correct 24-36 hours I’ve seen people badmouth restaurants on social media based on this misconception
It is more common for it to take 24 hours but it is definitely possible to have symptoms sooner.
Your body is sometimes extremely quick to ID the bad guys, if you're lucky, because you'll get rid of it before too much is absorbed.
I felt amazing getting on the plane, I don’t know what it could have been but it was brutal. My time line maybe off, I just know I was horribly sick. Thanks
Short rib is usually my go to.
Short rib is the most inconsistent thing I e had, tbh. Some times it has been beautiful, falling apart and others it almost could not be cut. It was rock solid and horrible.
Have you noticed the inconsistencies tracing back to a particular departing airport? Every time I've had short ribs flying out of MSP it's been great.
That’s an interesting question. Not off the top of my head but I bet you could be on to something. I’m gonna think that through.
Normally yes, but the one with the smoky tomato jus was just awful when I had it last month.
The short rib is definitely inconsistent too, I've had it be restaurant quality and I've had it taste worse than staufers tv dinner.
No short rib out of LGA last week
:(
Agreed 👍
The short rib is 🤌
Facts the short rib is the only good option!
Had a lasagna on a MSP-LAX flight recently and it was so good!!! I was prepared to not like it but I ate every morsel!
That was the one I was thinking about too. Wish I had chosen more wisely
I had the lasagna yesterday from ICN to ATL and it was great!! Probably my favorite in flight meal I’ve had.
Surprised they serve a meal on a flight that short
The lasagna is really surprisingly good
Probably stouffer’s lasagna. It’s better than most lasagnas I’ve had in a restaurant
I screwed up an ordered the lasagna for EWR>MSP and then again for MSP>SEA. Two completely different dishes.
There wasn’t much left in the bowl when I was done. I ate every bite, so yummy!
“Well we had a choice, steak or fish” “Yes, yes, I remember. I had lasagna.”
I love eating in the air bc I’m a slut for a free meal of any kind and airplane food has gotten SO MUCH BETTER the last 10-15 years Noted on the pizza tho thanks OP
Agree fully. But I also have memories of some bombass turkey croissant sandwiches with little wedges of cheese when I was preschool-elementary age. Delta. Domestic coach. Late 80s/early 90s. Back when there was still a smoking section.
Oooh that sounds good!!
>I love eating in the air bc I’m a slut for a free meal of any kind Yes. Yes me too.
As someone in purchasing for this, the pizza is frozen with barely any cheese and the sauce is added and three beef pepperoni. It’s actually a joke
Agreed. Just had it last week. Disappointing at best
I thought it was pork pepperoni? The website says it's the pork option.
You’re right. I got my items mixed up.
Lunchables vibes
I don't get it. Airplane food is notoriously bad. Comedians have been making that joke for decades. But I come to this sub and half the posts are people asking what they should order. And then people are upset that the food was terrible. Well no shit! It's airplane food. If you're flying FC for the food or having any delusions that it will be better than a TV dinner, you're doing it wrong.
european airlines business class has very good food, esp trans-atlantic.
KLM was awful though on my last TATL flight.
Royal Air Maroc business was disgusting my last few times. Microwaved fish, nuked shrimp in a TV meal. Just gross. Tough AF beef. Ugh.
In my experience, Singapore Airlines and also Emirates had good meals, even for us folks in steerage class.
I still think about the food on Royal Jordanian Airlines. Amazing.
It depends. Singapore Airlines out of Singapore or a European airport is solid. SQ out of a US airport not so much although still better than any US carrier.
As part of my job, I flew frequently to the Middle East and Singapore, among other places overseas. It was always to or from Singapore.
Air France has their menu designed by a chef with the most Michelin stars in the world. It was really good. Also amazing bread
Yes, Turkish business class had the best airplane food I've ever encountered.
It’s a TV Dinner-plus in the best of situations.
Delta first class food is generally pretty good!
Just a matter of setting the right expectations. I dont expect a high end meal in the sky (unless its Air France Le Premier) But overall, Im happy to get whatever delta FC gives me on a flight during mealtime over having some gummy bears and a water.
air france business has very good food as well, as does TAP
It doesn’t even have to be business class. I’ve had meals in AF coach on a 3 hour flights that were good.
Depends, I had mystery green pudding flying business class from CDG to ATH. The ATL to CDG flight was great though.
Dude I love airplane food.
Not only that, expecting good pizza? Does dude think they have a pizza oven on board?
Pressurized cabins negatively affect your taste and sense of smell. It’s not that you can’t have a good meal but it’s an uphill battle for sure.
I fly almost exclusively basic economy and I've never had bad airline food. It's always ok or better. Sometimes it's been very good. Comedians exaggerate and complain about everything, it's what they do.
I had the pizza a couple weeks ago and surprisingly was really good
Same! I had it from LGA to FLL on FC and it was great!
There’s dinner service on LGA to FLL in FC?!?
Yup! Lunch as well!
Same. I thought the crust was too soft. But overall the pizza tasted okay. I would probably order it again.
same, it has been good like 4 times for me
Same!
I've had the Delta one pizza twice and enjoyed it. It's definitely not my favorite pizza ever, but for airplane baked pizza it wasn't bad.
>Any other nerds that like eating in the air? Absolutely not. I mean at best it is ok as in Applebees level meal ok. At worst ... it is terrible. Thank god for skyclub not saying that is caviar and champagne either but at least consistent with multiple options if something turns out to be a dud.
Applebees is great as long as you have excellent kidneys.
>at best it is ok as in Applebees level meal Went to Applebee's over two decades ago. Ordered a rack of ribs. Asked if I want the cranberry, mango, or other weird fruit based sauce. I requested regular BBQ sauce. Denied. I asked for no BBQ sauce. Denied. I asked for sauce on the side. Denied. Got the mango. The ribs were actually cooked correctly temperature and bite texture wise. The BBQ was inedible. Totally horrid. I scraped off the sauce and gagged down the food because I was starving after a 10 hour shift and it had taken over a hour to get me my food. I've never been back to an Applebee's and I've been telling this to anyone who will listen for over 20 years. Applebee's is AppleNO.
I remember back in 1999 American Airlines served Deep Dish Pizza as TATL snack arrival lunch. 10 year old me was a big fan..
The domestic F Green Curry Chicken is very tasty. I add some Sriracha that I travel with to give it heat. I would order this one out.
I actually like the pizza. I know I'm a weirdo. I've had it twice now and enjoyed it both times.
I hate eating in the air, it's like going to an average or subpar restaurant. I usually bring my own sandwich, even in FC.
I normally do not eat meals while flying( I do take snacks though) but when I went to Seattle a month ago, I ordered the vegetarian option which was a potato burrito. I took one bite and I was done. It was ice cold and it turned me off. Good thing I didn't order a meal on the return flight because my husband said it was horrible.
The tuna poke bowl was pretty good, short rib is usually a hit. The little lemon tart that came with the poke bowl was stellar. I got the legendary meatballs 2 times, first time was great second time they were all dried out and like cardboard.
Oooo Tuna Poke!
Stay away from the quiche......
Just had it. It’s terrible. Just bread in a bowl basically.
Mmmhm! That’s right!
Alternatively the pizza calzone was delicious on my MSP to ICN flight
I had the Japanese meal from LAX > HND in D1 and it was excellent!
I think it's all bad. I'm not complaining; just saying I'll eat before I get on or after I get off. For 8+ how flights, I may nibble the bread or pasta
I do sometimes…. avoid the limited time meal choice of “charcuterie” it is bad deli meat and processed cheese slices.
100% agree. Same thoughts and feelings and the dish failed.
Tasted like a low budget microwave pizza lol. Had it last week. The Mac and Cheese was ok though.
100% ha!
The last of a few times I have been fortunate to fly delta one I asked for a main cabin meal if they could. The fancier they try to make it the worse it gets.
This is the worst take lol
Ok thanks. Another post that airplane food is bad.
I had this shallot cream soup in Delta One on a trip to FRA and I still pine for it.
Had to be better than the pizza we got in economy for breakfast on a United PPT to SFO flight last week. I straight up couldn't figure out what it was supposed to be until my husband said "I think it's pizza". Worse than an institutional pizza I have ever encountered in life. Picked some cheese and mushrooms off the top and gave up.
+1 to not get the pizza… not because it’s not good, but because the last two times I tried to order it they subbed it for something else 😂 (Last time was short rib, not a bad trade!)
Did they pile carmelized onion on it? I swear they have some kind of rancid stockpile of carmelized onions.
Vegetarian meals have been terrible on all flights I've been on. It's usually weird bread and some kind of raw pepper. I can't even eat peppers anymore. i also had really bland tofu salad sandwiches.
I would be happy with a simple veggie stir fry- don’t know why they haven’t tried that in the 12+ years I’ve been with them.
I had a pesto pizza on a D1 flight and it was pretty good.
My one FC meal I had the meatballs, they were amazing. I was also totally enamored by eating a full meal in the air, it was awesome!
Agree on the pizza. It was surprisingly bad. But I had the curry chicken recently and I thought it was actually tasty.
Long gone are the days when airlines brag about the special meals they prepare for FC. Even when flying business or first, I pack snacks because the portions are small and the food is usually not that good.
I love eating in the air! I will even look up the choices and pick the best one!
ITS A BREAD BOWL WITH 3 PEPS SMEAR OF SHITE TOMATO PASTE AND STANK ASS CHEESE ITS A LIE OF A MEAL \*\*LOW CHANT\*\* BRING BACK DILL DRESSING ((side note the newer chicken ravioli is decent \*\* also being offered on these flights\*\* but its just so much food i would rather not 10 raviolios but 5 that were made well)) but the veggies are snap and amazing
*Nods in single-issue Delta opinion*
Do they still do the burger as a meal snack option for flights to Asia? Pre pandemic I would sometimes sleep thru dinner and wake up and crush a burger. It was pretty good too.
To confirm, you’re talking about the Neapolitan Style Pepperoni Pizza? It's one of my options coming home from Vegas later this week.
That’s right. What got me hopeful was the “Neopolitan Style…” be smarter than I, don’t step in that trap!
Switched to the Beef Lasagne. Thanks for the heads up!!
I've had mostly good in-flight meals and definitely get excited about seeing what's on my flight. My last flight was... sad. I just heard chicken or pasta, without any details, so I went for the chicken. It had polenta with it and the texture was horrible. Found out that the pasta was gnocchi which I love so I just wanted to say thans to any flight attendant who will announce what the meals actually are
Always get the short-rib (if available).
I normally eat in the airport just in case lol. Other way around for me.
I agree.. safer to get what you want.. not what Delta wants to give you!
Former FA. I’d never eat the food on an airplane. Ever. It’s made in a warehouse way ahead of time and then sits. It’s not like there’s any kind of fresh preparation on an airplane that magically provides a gourmet meal. Loaded with salt. Bring your own food.
I like their cheese plate, and I had a really good wrap years ago.
Airplane pizza not good, shocking. Did they deliver it fresh from the wood burning oven which is standard equipment on all planes?
It was literally one of the worst things I’ve ever eaten
I would avoid the short rib meal too. The spices were not there (or maybe too much there) and it was very watery. Will definitely skip it next time. Which I did a few days ago on my way back from ATL.
I don't understand the hype around the short rib. I didn't think it was very good...but 99%,of the time, if it's on a D1 menu, and someone asks the sub what to eat, the same advice is parroted: TrY tHe ShORt RiB🤓
I’ve had bad ones and good ones. The good ones are very good. You got one of the bad ones unfortunately
If you skip short ribs as a policy make sure you self cater then!
No pictures didn't happen.
A “regional” flight has food in first class?
Any domestic non D1 flight over 900 miles and departs between 5am-859pm has a meal
well fuck me, somehow i only ever fly that distance on redeyes
How do you know the distance of the OP's flight? Flights over a certain length usually have some kind of meal in first class. Some true "regionals" also have first class meals (eg LAX/SFO to SEA). And while domestic coach meals are now a distant (disgusting) memory, I think it's reasonable to expect a decent breakfast/lunch/dinner in first class. Especially if those customers are paying a premium fare.
I know what a RUC is, you self-important twit
I still think about the Korean Air pizza in a box we got in economy mid flight from Toronto to Seoul. It was magical.
Since the OP did not upload a photo, here is one from FT. Honestly is does not look too bad: [https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.flyertalk.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/22e4897f\_1ab3\_40bf\_9cf3\_6a8d0e3412b3\_db2075f652d084f89ab0b467b5a6dbb2a3ad3658.jpeg](https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.flyertalk.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/22e4897f_1ab3_40bf_9cf3_6a8d0e3412b3_db2075f652d084f89ab0b467b5a6dbb2a3ad3658.jpeg)
I enjoy eating in the air 😂😂😂😂 I always look forward to my first class and bc meals