Airline Catering: A Budgeting Surprise!
Ever paused mid-flight, eyeing your tray table, and asked yourself just how much airlines are forking out for those inflight meals? Well, brace yourself. That juicy morsel of information is typically shrouded in secrecy, with airlines acting coy. But here’s a tidbit that’s stirring the online aviation community, and it might just illuminate why those inflight meals sometimes fall short of “delectable,” even for those lounging in premium cabins.
First & Business Class Catering Budgets: Not What You’d Imagine
There’s a lively debate bubbling over on a Lufthansa-focused forum, dissecting the group’s catering budgets. Want to venture a guess on the dollar value allocated to your posh first-class culinary experience on a lengthy overseas journey with Lufthansa or SWISS?
Turns out, we’re talking about €18 here. Yep, that’s less than 20 bucks. And that covers not one but both meals served in first class on a long-haul flight. Mind-boggling, isn’t it?
Although it sounds slightly unbelievable, another savvy FlyerTalk member recounts a tour at an airline catering hub over a decade ago, where similar figures were mentioned: €2 for economy, €4 for premium economy, €10 for business, and €20 for first class per meal on a long journey. Sure, we’ve seen inflation since then, but this intel gels with what’s been whispered before — those airline meals come a tad cheaper than you’d expect. Fancy paying as much for a microwavable meal as you would for an economy class meal? Exactly.
The plot thickens! At a catering facility near Frankfurt Airport, business class meals retail at €7, and economy meals at a mere €2. They even throw in the 19% VAT for good measure.
I’m Itching to Know: How Much Do Catering Budgets Vary?
In the fiercely cutthroat airline industry, pinching pennies is the name of the game. However, not all airlines are cutting the same corners regarding inflight cuisine. Just how much do these budgets vary, I wonder? Take, for instance, Emirates or Singapore Airlines with their first-class offerings. Surely, they’re not skimping on their meal budgets. And let’s not overlook the different investment in fine wines and bubbly, which varies wildly among airlines.
The caviar offerings especially pique my curiosity. I’d wager Lufthansa’s budget excludes the caviar tins since each flight gets a healthy serving of that. The indicated catering budget likely pertains to the dishes whipped up at the catering facility.
So many questions, so few answers, right? But here’s the nugget of knowledge — if you’ve ever wondered why some airlines can’t seem to nail decent meal service, it’s probably because they won’t cough up the cash. Even in the cushy environs of business class, a disappointing dish might share the same cost bracket as a humble microwave dinner. Maybe even less!
Bottom Line
In short, airlines are forking over much less on meals than your imagination might lead you to believe, and yes, this thriftiness extends to those enjoying first and business class. While variety is the spice of life, some airlines allocate a modest sum of around $20 per passenger for an entire international first-class journey.
Although I can’t precisely sign off on these figures, this general consensus echoes what’s often whispered: airline catering, even in the swanky premium seats, costs less than one might suppose.
So, what’s your take on these airline catering budgets? And did these so-called numbers leave you a tad gobsmacked? Speaking of luxurious experiences, check out the Val Seny ski resort for a change of scenery. Truly, an experience that’ll shred your expectations.