Laura Goodman

Whoever you’re flying with, Business Class or Economy, chicken or fish, airplane food is somewhat of an acquired taste. Either way, those in-flight meals are the punctuation marks of long-haul flights and there’s no denying that the little flourishes on your tray can make or break your experience. Here’s our rundown of the best flight meals.

Delta

Over the last few years, Delta has been upping the ante to become one of the best airlines for food. The focus is on local farmers and artisans, with a twist on Southern tradition. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q’s has designed some dishes for passengers flying out of Atlanta, USA: the short rib open-faced sandwich with sweet pickles and a side of cheddar and broccoli is not to be missed. Top it off with banana pudding for a true down-home affair. As far as the best airplane food goes, the Biscoff and chocolate chip cookies are legendary – they come warm in a brown paper bag, making them the ultimate snack in the clouds for economy and first class passengers alike.

Credit: Mashama Bailey for Delta

Hawaiian Airlines

Fly from Los Angeles to Honolulu and you’ll get brunch, lunch and a late-night snack. Look out for international offerings like the coconut and lemongrass braised chicken with eggplant and Israeli couscous or the warm yuzu pound cake (by Honolulu-born executive chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka). But the island offerings are a thrill, too: there’s a Kalua pork hash on the menu, plus beers from Maui Brewing Company and custom cocktails from On the Rocks, including the celebratory Tropical Landing (gin with violet, guava, coconut and citrus).

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Singapore Airlines

A consistent favorite among frequent flyers, Singapore Airlines has an admirable number of options for all passengers. Premium economy dishes include garlic-roasted prawns with smoked aioli and patatas bravas, beef Bourguignon and Chor Mee (minced pork noodles). The airline has an air sommelier program, in which cabin crew can apply to become wine experts, which means they can offer passengers guidance on wine pairings.

Credit: Singapore Airlines

Korean Air

Think your taste buds are useless at 40,000 feet? The bibimbap is one legendary in flight meal you’ll definitely be able to enjoy (and the same one is served in economy, business and first classes, just with different utensils); it’s a platter of beef, steamed rice, cucumber, mushrooms, beansprouts, spinach and pickled radish, ready to be tossed together with a tube of gochujang and a sachet of sesame oil (the pros ask for extra gochujang). On the side: pickled cucumber and seaweed soup. The snack service includes hot rice balls and cup ramen, brought to your seat with the hot water already added, and the seasoning sachet on the side.

Read next: Michelin-Star Dining at 30,000 Feet? This Airline is Making it Possible

All Nippon (ANA)

ANA works with various chefs to get their menus just right. Toru Okuda – a Michelin star master of kaiseki (multi-course meals) – takes care of Japanese food, while Ryuta Iizuka (who studied under Joel Robuchon) advises on French. Expect them to go all out if you’re in first or business class: Wagyu beef sirloin stew with a side of fragrant shiitake, maitake, and abalone mushrooms, sautéed in Échiré butter, for instance. But there are treats in store for the economy classes too: the likes of red rockfish teriyaki and oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) will see passengers through, with proper miso and pickles.

 

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Emirates

Emirates is consistently at the top of the lists of best flight food, thanks to its ever-evolving menus, attention to detail and unlimited Dom Perignon for first class flyers. Every passenger gets a multi-course meal and there’s lots of choice and flexibility. Trays are jam-packed with dishes like paneer makhani, vegetable paella, sweetcorn salad and Russian salad plus alluring desserts like apple caramel mousse or chocolate truffle cake. The wines (all from Bordeaux) are excellent. In first class, there’s a movie snack menu which features boxes of popcorn and cheeseburger sliders.

Save for later: Airplane Etiquette: Your Ultimate Guide

Etihad

This UAE-based airline is driven by farm-to-table freshness, which means salad greens harvested hours before you eat them – a true revolution as far as airline meals are concerned. Business and first class food can be eaten whenever you’re hungry, and includes steak sandwiches and eggs prepared to order, plus elaborate brunches like shakshuka and ricotta pancakes. First class mains include a seafood assiette (scallop, salmon, lobster), chicken margooga, five spiced duck breast and paneer kofta. There is oh-so-much choice.

 

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Turkish Airlines

Aficionados of Turkish Airlines’ long-haul flights always order the sour cherry juice, and some claim it helps them to sleep. If it works for you, you can press a button on your screen to let cabin crew know you’d like to be woken for dinner. Beyond the juice, it’s all about the Turkish appetizers, grilled fish, Adana kebabs and sesame pittas. First and business class passengers enjoy the ultimate inflight amenity: flying chefs, who work alongside cabin crew. On long-haul or international flights of over eight hours, those passengers can opt to enjoy chef-cooked meals by candlelight.

Which airline food is best?

While this is subjective, when it comes to ranking Emirates often comes out on top for having the best flights meals. Emirates focuses on creating flavors and textures that are resilient to changes in altitude and pressure, like heavy reductions and braises, used in casseroles and stews, paired with quality fresh ingredients.

Which airline has the most delicious food?

Singapore Airlines is often cites as having the most delicious food, and travelers can choose the Book the Cook service, offered in Suites and First Class, Business Class and Premium Economy Class for flights above 1.5 hours flight time. Customers can choose a restaurant-class meal, from lobster thermidor to a perfectly-cooked steak.

What is best to eat on a long haul flight?

Prioritize protein, vegetables and fruit when it comes to eating on a long haul flight. Carry extra nutritious snacks with you like nuts (checking nobody on the flight has an allergy) or seeds. As well as eating properly, it’s important to stay well hydrated on a long haul flight – your perception of salty and sweet tastes drops by almost around 30 per cent inside a flight, but drinking water helps reactivate your taste buds.

Airplane etiquette is broadly the same as standard, everyday etiquette, but there are some specific differences that come up repeatedly. These include (but are not limited to) reclining your seat, using the overhead bins, employing tray tables and – quelle horreur – bare feet. Let’s tackle how to do the right thing by everyone, once and for all.

Embarkation: starting as you mean to go on

As you board the plane, you will want to say hello to the flight attendants waiting to greet you and potentially to some of your fellow passengers, too. This may sound obvious, but as you try to navigate the tiny aisle with your carry-on in one hand, your passport in the other, and all the many thoughts in your head, it can be difficult to remember to exchange common courtesies.

Hello is an important first step in not getting so wrapped up in your own journey that you forget about everyone else’s, which means it’s a good time to take a break from noise canceling headphones, too (more on those later). Do extend the good vibes when stowing your baggage – of course you want to be near your stuff, but the space above your head is not yours by right. Make space and compromises where you can, help your fellow passengers hoist their bags.

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The A, B, C (and D, E, F) of airplane seating

The big question: what is the middle seat etiquette on a plane? Well, it’s generally agreed that both armrests are yours, but you must pay attention to how you’re using them – two arms so relaxed that you have an elbow in the face of both neighbours is not acceptable, for instance. Keep in mind the person in the window seat can lean that way, but the person in the aisle seat has nowhere else to turn. Meanwhile, if you’re in the window seat, you’re in charge of the window shade. It’s your choice whether it’s open or closed, but it doesn’t hurt to turn to the person next to you before you close it, to make sure they don’t mind.

If for some reason you need to switch seats (for access to the bathroom, to be near your family), ask politely, and offer a comparable seat to the one they have. Never take someone’s seat before they’ve boarded, and do take no for an answer – they, like you, may have good reason. That said, if you’re asked to switch seats, do honor the request if you can. It could radically transform someone’s journey.

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Keeping it civilized at 40,000 feet

Noise canceling headphones can pose a significant barrier to airplane etiquette, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear them. They can also be a very helpful tool for switching off from screaming babies and overly chatty neighbours, protecting your patience and personal space. As a rule of thumb, just slide them off while flight attendants talk you through safety protocols, and whenever you see a cart approaching. That way, you won’t get frustrated when you miss out on snacks either.

Flying with (and in the vicinity of) children

Noone is having a harder time than the parent or carer of an unhappy child. Always bear that in mind, as a minimum. Beyond that, if you can offer a stressed parent or baby a smile, it will go a long way. If you happen to be the passenger in the seat in front, exercise patience for the first few minutes while the family behind you settles in to the unfamiliarity and discomfort of the plane. If you feel the dreaded kick in the back, just give the parents a few minutes to deal with it before you speak up. On the other hand, if you’re the parent: watch those small but mighty feet. They are one of the cornerstones of airplane etiquette.

Read next: 10 best Airlines for Business Class

The seatbelt light is still on…

What is the etiquette when exiting a plane? Should you pop up as soon as you hear the ding and crank open the overhead bin? Or should you remain seated until the last possible moment? If you’re in a hurry, or have a connecting flight to catch, let a flight attendant know so they can help you get off quickly. Otherwise, you may stand when the light goes off and stretch your legs, but try to remain in your own personal space, as you gather your possessions. Don’t enter the aisle to access the overhead bin until it’s clearly your row’s turn. That means giving people in the row before you the time and space they need to access their own belongings.

Finally: feet

Don’t remove your shoes. Don’t do it! Always fly in shoes that will last the distance.

Do you have any favorite airplane etiquette tips? Share them with us in the comments section, below.

The best luxury resorts in the world are of course glorious places to stay, but there is so much more to them than their guest rooms – they’re gateways to destinations, and they’re entire destinations in themselves. Whether they happen to be located in the middle of national parks, private white sand beaches, wine country, ski slopes, cities or small towns, they tell a unique story about their place. Here are 10 of our favorites right now.

For billabong swims and hammock time: Silky Oaks Lodge, Queensland

Forty ‘treehouses’ sit snugly in the world’s oldest living rainforest, surrounded by fronds and vines, ferns and mosses. It’s hard not to think of Eden as you lie in your hammock following a dazzling blue Ulysses butterfly or a chattering of palm cockatoos with your eyes. Guests have the chance to learn about the Indigenous culture of the local Kuku Yalanji people who have lived in the Daintree Rainforest continuously, and have a deep connection with it.

 

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For tranquility and connecting with nature: Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel

In the mountains of north Japan, this tranquil ryokan is the only resort built on the shore of the Orase Gorge, part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, a protected area teeming with lushness: beech, katsura and Japanese horse chestnut trees, plus over 300 species of moss. Rooms overlook the stream and waterfalls; it’s an unparallelled vantage point for witnessing the changing seasons. Lots of significance is placed on the onsen experience in the hot springs from Mount Hakkoda – the concept behind the resort is “Keiru slow living”. Stay here on our Majestic Japan journey. 

For sumptuous living in the city: The Leela Palace, Chennai

One of the best luxury resorts on our Essence of India journey, this is almost five acres of sheer opulence and romance where the Bay of Bengal meets the Adyar river. There are brunches fit for royalty, sea-view sundowners, marble corridors, chandeliers and silk ruching wherever you look, even a cake shop, whose counters are filled with handcrafted macarons, chocolates and cheesecakes. Rooms and suites are haven-like, golden and glorious but it’s worth tearing yourself out of them to lounge by the enormous pool. 

 

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For icon status in the great Canadian outdoors: Fairmont Banff Springs

Known as Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies” this world-famous resort with its steep copper roofs, dormers and gables, is located in the majestic Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides absurd levels of beauty and various walking trails, the park itself offers opportunities for horseback riding, rock climbing, biking, glacier walking and skiing. On the resort itself, there’s a 27-hole championship golf course and an award-winning spa, not to mention wildflower cocktails in the timeless Rundle Bar. 

Stay here on our Majesty of the Rockies journey.

 

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For serenity (and celebrity) by the beach: Copacabana Palace, Rio

As far as world class locations go, Copacabana Beach is hard to beat. This imposing white Carrara marble icon has been in situ since 1923, when French architect Joseph Gire took influence from the Negresco in Nice and the Carlton in Cannes. Since then, celebrities passing through have included Walt Disney, Brigitte Bardot, Princess Diana and Madonna. Away from the high energy of the beach and the city streets, the interiors offer soothing white linens, mahogany furnishings and arguably the best balconies in the world. 

This hotel is on our Classic South America journey.

 

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For Tuscan frescoes and flowers: Four Seasons Firenze

This is an urban retreat of Florentine proportions, housed across the 15th-century Palazzo della Gherardesca and the 16th-century convent, La Villa. The creamy interiors feature frescoes, paintings and sculptures, plus elaborate floral displays and golden light seemingly sent from the heavens. The Renaissance theme continues through the Michelin star restaurant, wine cellar and into the relaxation center, with its ancient Italian spa treatments and garden-based yoga. All a 15-minute walk from the Duomo.  

For English charm and Swiss hospitality: Hotel d’Angleterre, Geneva

On the shore of the glittering Lake Geneva, the Angleterre is a grand old dame to behold, but – as one of the best luxury resorts in the world – it’s also more intimate than you might expect. No two rooms are the same – there’s masterful quilting and upholstery, with playfulness coming through in the occasional leopard print cushion, striped drape, silk-covered wall or original Miró sketch. There’s afternoon tea, of course, plus decanters of port, cognac and whisky. It’s a masterclass in refined luxury, and it’s best enjoyed as part of Majestic Switzerland. 

For easy living in The Big Easy: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

At the edge of the French quarter, the swish Maison Blanche building which occupies a whole city block is a retreat from the hubbub, but a very assuredly New Orleanian one. After a dinner of farm-to-table Louisiana cuisine (blue crab beignets, seafood gumbo, shrimp and grits), guests can listen to jazz musician Jeremy Davenport playing the lounge named after him, while sipping Davenportinis. It’s always a joyful stop on our Southern Grace journey. The spaces are ritzy and glamorous – lots of black leather and velvet.

 

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For untouchable private island solitude: Song Saa, Cambodia

This is the kind of unfathomable paradise we couldn’t not put on a list of the best luxury resorts. On Cambodia’s Koh Rong Archipelago, 45 minutes by speedboat from Sihanoukville, Song Saa is arranged across two small islands. It’s got everything you’d expect – palm-thatched villas with four-poster beds and sea-view plunge pools and an open-air spa made up of various pavilions, and plenty you’d never dreamed of too (it’s surprisingly family-friendly!). The owners are committed to the environment – they’ve set up a marine reserve and employ conservation staff.

For stylish safaris with heart: Londolozi, South Africa

In the Sabi Sand Game Reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park, Londolozi is all for healing the land. The Varty family behind it believe it “should inspire a desire to live in deeper connection with each other and the natural world”. Each of the exquisite camps tells a story – the Founders camp honors the past, Tree Camp is lantern-lit, and sanctuary-like, and Varty Camp is the heart and soul – it’s been hosting family-friendly campfires for over 100 years. The rooms and suites are richly layered under thatched roofs, each with expansive decks on which to do yoga, bathe or sip champagne.

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