Six Tips for Choosing Between Chicken and Fish: Airline Meal Selection

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team

During long-haul flights, it's inevitable that you'll need to eat on the plane. Most people have negative impressions of airline food—small portions, bad taste, etc. However, research shows that when people are in a low-pressure environment, such as inside an airplane cabin at high altitude, their sense of taste becomes less sensitive than usual. This is one of the reasons why food may not taste as good. An overseas travel website offers several tips for choosing airline meals. Next time you take a long flight, you might want to try these methods to ensure a more comfortable journey.

1. Choose Your Meal Online

If you have special meal requirements, most airlines allow you to pre-select your meal on their website, such as vegetarian meals, fruit meals, seafood meals, or meals prepared for religious reasons. If you have specific needs or favorite flavors, remember to request them in advance from the airline.

2. Choose Rice First

Airline meals are prepared in central kitchens ahead of time and then reheated on the plane before being served to passengers. Typically, rice retains a moist texture even after reheating, and its flavor doesn’t change much. On the other hand, pasta tends to clump together after reheating, affecting the overall taste of the meal.

3. Opt for Chicken

At high altitudes, beef and pork tend to become dry and tough after reheating, and seafood may suffer in freshness. In comparison, chicken retains a moister texture, making it a better option.

4. Sauce Adds Flavor

Since your sense of taste is less sensitive in low-pressure environments, choosing meals with sauce can help retain moisture even after reheating. Stronger flavors also tend to stimulate appetite more effectively.

5. Consider Your Departure Location

If you're still unsure about what airline meal to choose, the easiest method is to base your decision on your departure location. Airline meals are usually prepared in the kitchen of the departure city. If you're flying from Asia, Asian food is a safer bet. Conversely, if you're departing from Europe or America, Western cuisine will likely taste better.

6. Snacks and Beverages

Apart from the meal box, the airplane also provides snacks, cookies, and even instant noodles. Additionally, there are options like beer, red wine, white wine, and champagne. If you feel unsatisfied, you can politely ask the flight attendants—they’ll be happy to provide you with something extra.