飛機餐都是誰做？航空公司要如何選擇？
每家航空公司會根據起飛的地點、航線與主打的特色，選擇心目中理想的空廚業者合作。空廚業者則根據航空公司的要求，例如食材的選用、餐點的風格、餐具的款式與預算等，開發出適合的餐點。
為確保餐點的最佳品質，航空公司會根據該架飛機起飛的地點，選擇較近距離的空廚業者。以台灣來說，松山機場起飛的飛機大多是高雄空廚松山廠區提供。桃園機場起飛的飛機則可能有華膳空廚、長榮空廚、復興空廚等選擇。台中機場則是台中空廚，高雄小港機場則是高雄空廚總廠區。
台灣飛往國外的班機，若是飛行時間較短且很快就要飛回台灣，航空公司就可能直接從台灣出發時就將回程的餐點一同帶上；若飛行時間很長，則是直接在國外找合作的空廚。
航空業競爭激烈，傳統航空公司有時會找知名主廚、餐飲品牌合作製作飛機餐，以提升差異化服務。如果飛機餐做得好，其它公司也會跟進。
飛機餐的食材如何設計？
飛機餐使用的每樣食材，都是需要精挑細選。除了要考量到保存期限、是否可重複加熱，還要盡量滿足所有乘客的口味(不同國籍不同飲食文化)，以及成本都得精密考量。飛機餐的菜單設計，必須花上一年時間規劃。要設計出令乘客覺得有水準的飛機餐並不容易，畢竟所有食物都要預先在地面上煮好，上三萬呎高空再加熱，味道早已流失了大半。所以飛機餐的試菜也得預先在空中進行。延伸閱讀：《知識》如何減少飛機餐產生的垃圾？
飛機餐新鮮嗎？
飛機餐的保存確實符合國際食品衛生標準，但也算不上新鮮。通常是在供客約 12-72 小時前準備的。國際標準中，食材最久可在低溫下保存 5 天。飛機餐都是先在地面廚房烹調，冷卻後冷藏冷凍保鮮，接著放入餐盒，上機後必須加熱再給乘客享用。基於食品安全標準和空間限制，機上餐會在機場附近的空廚中央廚房製作。
餐具會影響飛機餐的美味度？
頭等艙的食材選擇當然會比較高級，不過美味程度不見得會比經濟艙好吃。覺得頭等艙餐點高級美味，也會受「餐具」及「擺盤」影響。牛津大學心理學教授表示，使用具有重量的金屬餐具，會有美味度提升的錯覺；使用塑料餐具，會減低對食物的美味印象。
普遍乘客認為飛機餐不好吃？
許多乘客普遍認為，飛機上的餐點不太好吃。研究顯示，高空中機艙的密閉環境，會影響乘客對於飛機餐的感覺。引擎噪音會影響乘客的食慾；機艙內乾燥的空氣也會影響味覺及嗅覺，地面上覺得辛辣的食物，在三萬英尺高空嘗起來可能相對溫和。延伸閱讀：《知識》容易覺得飛機餐難吃的原因
航程的長短，會影響飛機餐的內容嗎？
飛機餐的豪華程度除了與艙等有關之外，其實在短程航線與長程航線也有非常大的差異。在 1 到 2 小時的短程航線上，通常只有一種口味的選擇，份量較精簡，比較類似可以簡單填飽肚子的點心或餅乾，飲料也通常只有咖啡或白開水等選擇。這是因為將餐點加熱、送餐、送飲料、回收餐具等都要耗費許多時間，若是飛行時間太短會無法完成。
而在 2 到 5 小時的航線或是 10 小時左右的長程航線上，餐點通常有兩種選擇，而且除了咖啡與白開水之外，還會提供飲料或酒給乘客，差別只在於前者只有提供一餐，而後者則會提供兩餐。長途飛行時，除了兩餐正餐之外，航空公司通常會在兩餐之間，提供一些小點心，這些可能比正餐還要好吃。
至於經濟艙跟商務艙等餐點，光是兩者的食材成本就會相差 1～1.5 倍，更別論頭最高級的等艙，豪華程度自然是差很大。
正、副駕駛不可以吃同款餐點？
為避免正副駕駛同時食物中毒，影響飛安，許多航空公司規定機師不可選同款機上餐，以分散風險。但是對於空服人員來說就沒有這個限制了。不過空服人員畢竟一年到頭都在吃飛機餐，難免覺得膩，因此有些空服人員會自行攜帶餐點，而許多航空公司為了空服人員的健康，也會特別要求空廚業者要專為空服員設計出健康、少鹽、少油的餐點。
吃不飽可以再多要一份餐點嗎？
關於飛機餐的份量，空廚業者會根據航空公司要求使用的餐具尺寸與預算，來決定餐點的份量。因為每個乘客的食量不一樣，飛機餐大多會取中間值，也就是一般人最能接受的份量。
基本上飛機餐都是隨機票附贈的餐點，也就是一張機票一份餐點，而且飛機在設計上，通常也只會根據這架飛機可以容納的人數，規劃出剛好可以放這些餐點的空間。除非有人選擇不吃，否則不會有剩餘的餐點，因此對於一個吃不飽而想要吃兩個的乘客而言，真的需要碰碰運氣。
分配在飛機上的食物其實保存期限都較短，為了確保食物的衛生與新鮮，通常一趟班機在完成任務後，會將所有食物直接丟棄(瓶裝飲料、果醬類或奶油等除外)。如果還吃得下，不要害羞跟空服員多要一份，畢竟如果最後有多的還沒吃完，最終也是浪費的命運。
飛機餐點牛肉相對熱門
航空公司提供的飛機餐，一般常見都會有雞肉、豬肉以及牛肉可以選擇。但你是否發現，每次上機後常常想吃牛肉的餐點卻丟被告知已經沒了？那是因為牛肉餐點相對比較熱門。空服員送餐時會從前面往後面送，如果是長程航班就會從後面往前面送。若坐中間座位牛肉餐直接被選光的機會就大增。如果是有特別需要特製餐點的乘客，例如「水果餐」、「兒童餐」、「少油少鹽餐」等，都可以在官網訂購機票時，在上面點選特別餐服務，如此一來上飛機一定能吃到自己想吃的餐點，也會是第一個被送餐的乘客。
飛機餐的農藥殘留量標準與相關法規要依照哪一國家的規定？
根據國際航空運輸協會 (International Air Transport Association, IATA) 的規定，飛機餐的法規主要是受到提供該餐點的空廚業者之所在國家規範。簡單來說，就是如果是台灣空廚業者提供的飛機餐，該餐點的農藥殘留量或相關食品安全法規，就是根據台灣標準來規範。不過以台灣空廚業者來說，還是會再參考國際相關法規，取出最嚴格的標準來作為飛機餐製作的依據。
飛機餐吃完請勿將餐盤堆疊起來
飛機餐吃完將餐盤堆疊起來，這種看似貼心的行為，實際上可能給空服員帶來困擾。因為餐車是一層一層的，每層高度固定，疊起來會很難收。空服員得重新擺放成一盤一盤，把垃圾跟餐具放到主餐盒裡，然後把鋁箔紙重新包回去，反而造成空服員的負擔。-
Fun Facts About Airplane Meals
Who makes airplane meals, and how are they chosen?
Each airline chooses a catering company based on the departure airport, route, and what kind of experience they want to offer. The catering company then designs meals based on the airline’s requests — including ingredients, style, type of utensils, and budget.
For short international flights that return quickly, meals for both ways might be packed in the same airport. But for long-haul flights, the return meal is usually prepared abroad.
To stand out, airlines sometimes work with famous chefs or restaurant brands. If one airline makes great meals, others often follow.
How are airplane meal ingredients chosen?
Every ingredient is carefully selected. Meals must last long enough, be reheatable, fit various tastes from different cultures, and stay within budget. Planning a menu can take up to a year. All meals are pre-cooked on the ground and then reheated in the air, which can reduce flavor. So, airlines even test meals during actual flights to make sure they still taste good.
Are airplane meals fresh?
They meet international food safety standards, but they’re not exactly fresh. Meals are usually prepared 12 to 72 hours before the flight and can be kept in cold storage for up to 5 days. They're cooked, cooled, refrigerated or frozen, then reheated on the plane. Because of space and safety rules, all meals are prepared in a central kitchen near the airport.
Do utensils affect how good the food tastes?
First-class meals use fancier ingredients, but that doesn’t always mean they taste better. Real metal utensils and nice plating can make food seem tastier. A study even showed that metal cutlery makes food feel more delicious, while plastic utensils can make it feel less tasty.
Do most passengers think airplane food tastes bad?
Yes, many do. Studies show that the cabin environment affects how we taste food. Engine noise lowers appetite, and dry cabin air weakens your sense of taste and smell. Spicy food, for example, may taste less intense in the air.
Does flight length affect the meals?
Yes. Short flights (1–2 hours) usually offer only one meal option, like snacks or light meals, with coffee or water. Medium (2–5 hours) or long flights (about 10 hours) usually offer two meal choices and drinks, even alcohol. Longer flights usually serve two full meals and some snacks in between — and sometimes the snacks are better than the meals! Also, business class meals can cost 1 to 1.5 times more than economy class. First class meals are even more luxurious.
Can pilots eat the same meals?
Usually not. To avoid both the captain and co-pilot getting food poisoning, many airlines require them to eat different meals. But this rule doesn’t apply to flight attendants. Still, many attendants bring their own food, and some airlines even ask caterers to make special, healthier meals for them.
Can you ask for a second meal if you’re still hungry?
Meals are portioned based on average needs and the size of the meal trays. Each ticket comes with one meal. Because of limited space, there usually aren’t many extra meals. If someone doesn’t eat, there might be leftovers — so if you’re still hungry, it’s okay to ask. If there are extras, they’ll go to waste anyway. Most food on the plane has a short shelf life, so after the flight, it’s all thrown away (except things like sealed drinks or jam).
Why is the beef meal always gone first?
Airlines often offer chicken, pork, and beef options — but beef is the most popular. Meals are served front to back or back to front depending on the flight, so if you sit in the middle, the beef might be gone by the time they reach you. If you need a special meal (like fruit, kids, or low-salt), you can request it online when booking your ticket. These meals are served first, and you’re guaranteed to get what you ordered.
Whose food safety rules do airplane meals follow?
According to IATA (International Air Transport Association), airplane meals follow the food safety rules of the country where they’re made. So if the meal is made in Taiwan, it follows Taiwanese food safety laws. Taiwanese caterers also check international standards and often follow the strictest ones.
Should you stack your meal trays after eating?
No. While it seems helpful, stacking trays actually makes things harder for flight attendants. Meal carts have fixed shelves, so stacked trays don’t fit. Attendants have to unstack everything and repack it properly — which takes more time and effort. Better to leave the trays as they are.
