Why Airplane Food Tastes So Bad (It’s Not Just Bad Cooking)

A man cramped in his seat eating an airplane meal.

Ever wonder why even decent airlines can’t seem to make a good meal? Turns out, it’s not their fault – it’s science. The challenges of preparing decent airplane food are many and complex.

You see, When flying six miles above the ground, your body acts weird. The high altitude and cabin pressure mess with your taste buds. Things don’t taste the same up there. Most flavors drop by about a third – like eating with a bad cold. This impacts airplane food significantly.

The constant roar of airplane engines makes it even worse. This loud humming actually changes how things taste. Plus, the air in planes is super dry, which numbs your sense of smell. Mainly, airline meals seem bland since smell is a massive part of how we taste food. That’s a big reason why airplane food often lacks flavor.

But here’s a cool fact: While most flavors weaken, savory tastes stay strong. That’s why tomato juice tastes surprisingly good on planes, although you may never drink it on the ground. Airlines know this – they stock tons of tomato juice.

Airlines are trying all sorts of tricks to make food taste better:

  • First, they test meals in special rooms that copy airplane conditions
  • Second, they use real plates and metal forks (food actually tastes better this way)
  • Third, they serve things extra hot or spicy to break through the dulled taste.
  • And finally, some even play certain types of music that make food taste better

Some smart airlines have stopped fighting the altitude problem. Instead, they’re making meals that work with the science rather than against it. They focus on foods that naturally taste good up high – like savory soups, spicy curries, and seafood. It should come as no surprise that this approach has improved the quality of airplane food significantly.

So next time your plane meal tastes weird, don’t blame the chef. In the end, cooking a decent meal at 35,000 feet is like trying to make dinner on top of Mount Everest – while someone runs a vacuum cleaner next to you. Understanding the challenges can give you a new appreciation for airplane food.

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