Long-haul journeys through the skies present numerous challenges for travellers, with the quality of in-flight dining often being a pivotal factor in the overall experience. While the reputation of airplane cuisine has historically been poor, significant improvements have been made by airlines in recent years, offering passengers more appetising and varied menu choices than ever before.
The Insider's Perspective On In-Flight Dining
However, one aviation professional with extensive cabin crew experience has revealed her personal approach to eating while airborne. Kamila Jakubjakova, who has worked as a flight attendant for more than three years, recently shared her insights with travel specialists at eShores, providing valuable advice for frequent flyers and occasional travellers alike.
Why Plane Food Tastes Different At Altitude
Jakubjakova explains that the distinctive taste of aircraft meals isn't simply a matter of culinary quality, but rather a physiological response to the unique environment encountered during flight. The combination of reduced air pressure and exceptionally dry cabin air creates conditions that significantly alter our sensory perception.
"Due to different air pressure and dry air inside the airplane, our sense of smell reduces roughly by 20%, and so does the sensitivity of our taste buds, making the food taste blander," the flight attendant revealed. "Therefore, the aircraft food is often oversalted. For this reason, I prefer to bring my own snacks when I fly."
The Health Implications Of Oversalted Meals
This compensatory oversalting of airplane food carries potential health consequences for passengers, according to wellness experts at Equinox. The additional sodium intake in the already dehydrating conditions of an aircraft cabin can lead to uncomfortable post-flight symptoms.
"In an airplane's dry conditions, eating too much salt is more likely to cause bloating and dehydration," the health specialists noted, highlighting a common but often overlooked aspect of air travel discomfort.
How Different Flavours Respond To Altitude
The impact of high-altitude flying isn't uniform across all taste sensations. While saltiness and sweetness suffer the most significant diminishment when cruising at 30,000 feet, umami flavours demonstrate remarkable resilience under these challenging conditions.
This explains why tomato juice and other umami-rich options feature so prominently on airline beverage and food menus. These flavours maintain their integrity far better than others, providing passengers with more satisfying taste experiences despite the sensory limitations imposed by the flight environment.
Practical Strategies For Better In-Flight Eating
For travellers seeking to maximise their dining enjoyment while airborne, several practical approaches can make a substantial difference:
- Prioritise hydration: Travel experts at Akbar Travels emphasise that maintaining proper fluid intake keeps mucous membranes in the mouth and nose moist, allowing food to break down properly and deliver maximum flavour to taste receptors.
- Avoid dehydrating beverages: While tempting during long flights, minimising consumption of caffeine and alcohol can significantly help maintain hydration levels, as both substances have diuretic effects that are particularly problematic in the dry cabin environment.
- Choose resilient dishes: When selecting from the meal trolley, opt for curries, tomato-based preparations, and Asian cuisine, which typically contain stronger flavour profiles that withstand the altitude challenge more effectively.
- Consider bringing alternatives: Following the flight attendant's example, packing personal snacks that align with your taste preferences can provide a more satisfying and controlled eating experience during your journey.
The insights from aviation professionals and travel experts reveal that enjoying food at altitude involves understanding the unique physiological challenges presented by air travel. By adopting informed strategies, passengers can transform their in-flight dining from a necessary inconvenience into a more pleasant aspect of their journey through the skies.
