World's Best The Best International Airlines for Food in 2016 By Melanie Lieberman Melanie Lieberman Melanie Lieberman is the senior travel editor at The Points Guy and was an editor at Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on August 28, 2016 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Courtesy of Singapore Airlines Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite international airlines. “When you board Turkish Airlines,” one T+L reader wrote, you’re greeted by an on-board chef and the smell of “delicious, baking bread.” That’s more than you can say for some restaurants. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. Airlines were rated for a number of qualities, including their in-flight cuisine. And many voters remarked that the food wasn’t just edible—it was delicious and memorable. Like Turkish Airlines, which was praised for having “unbelievable,” traditional Turkish food, readers raved about the meal service on Virgin Atlantic Airways. “I was served wine in a real wine glass,” marveled Olavee Valentino. “Dinner was [like a] five-star or Michelin-star-rated restaurant.” While some airlines are agonizing over the cost of a bottle of water (we’re looking at you, Spirit) others have hired official sommeliers to build incredible wine lists. Qatar’s Master of Wine, James Cluer, has even hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro just to make sure his Château Dereszia Hungarian Tokaji 2006 was still perfectly sweet and effervescent at altitude. If you’re traveling with one of the best airlines on the planet for food, you may even find yourself excited to be woken for that odd, late-night meal. Whether it’s a regional delicacy (prawn and vegetable tempura) or just plain fancy, these are the airlines raising the bar on in-flight dining. 01 of 10 No. 10: Thai Airways International ROSLAN RAHMAN/Stringer/Getty Images 02 of 10 No. 9: Virgin Atlantic Airways Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic Airways 03 of 10 No. 8: Japan Airlines Courtesy of Japan Airlines 04 of 10 No. 7: All Nippon Airways Bloomberg/Getty Images 05 of 10 No. 6: Turkish Airlines Courtesy of Turkish Airlines 06 of 10 No. 5: Cathay Pacific Airways Courtesy of Cathay Pacific Airways 07 of 10 No. 4: Qatar Airways Courtesy of Qatar Airways 08 of 10 No. 3: Etihad Airways Courtesy of Etihad Airways 09 of 10 No. 2: Emirates Courtesy of Emirates 10 of 10 No. 1: Singapore Airlines Courtesy of Singapore Airlines For 21 years in a row, Singapore Airlines has won over travelers with its meal service. Thanks to a pressurized tasting room, the long-haul carrier can guarantee that every dish of roasted chicken and pak choy or wanton noodle soup with honey-roasted pork—even at 30,000-feet—tastes just as their international panel of chefs intended. Travelers flying in Premium Economy class or higher can even select their main course from an extensive menu prior to boarding. Travel + Leisure readers said you can expect “First-class treatment [even] in the economy cabin,” and delicious “yes, that’s right, delicious,” on-board fare. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit