A few years ago, as soon as the Airport food, When we first thought of it, the first thing that came to mind was the typical old-fashioned self-service: pushing a tray along metal rails past reheated food, just like in a school canteen, and the usual selection of pre-packaged sandwiches (chicken and salad, tuna salad… sound familiar?). And let's not forget the cans of fizzy drinks and warm beer. Oh, and of course, the price of all this was almost the same as your plane ticket.
Michelin-starred restaurants, or ultra-modern cafes and bars sponsored by celebrity chefs from around the world, are starting to appear in airports.
Fortunately, things are no longer as they were. Airports all areas affecting passenger experience are improving and one of the areas that stands out especially nowadays is the trend towards gourmet food.
Nowadays, you're starting to see Michelin-starred restaurants or super-modern cafes and bars sponsored by celebrity chefs all over the world. In my case, as a regular user of Stansted Airport, I recognise that the new restaurants have been a real relief. Now there's food for all ages and for all tastes. You can have your usual Whopper if you want, or sit down and enjoy a quiet three-course family meal in different international restaurants offering a wide variety of dishes. The famous British chef James Martin has also opened a modern and innovative cafe (James Martin Kitchen) which offers new ideas for passengers to take food on board the plane and avoid those wretched Ryanair paninis. You can even treat yourself to some seafood and a good champagne if you fancy it.
I mentioned Stansted because it's the closest airport to my town and the one I know best, but there are even more extravagant examples around the world. According to several surveys carried out this year, the airport at Narita in Japan is the best airport in the world for eating, as it offers a wide variety of freshly prepared food options, including the highest-rated sushi restaurant, Sushi Kyotatsu.
Obviously, other Asian airports like Changi and Incheon always rank highly too for the passenger dining experience. The general consensus is that anyone would want a long layover at one of these airports in order to sample various of the options they offer.
However, Asia is not the only one setting trends in this regard. London Heathrow is also among the best rated thanks to the restaurant Airplane food, from chef Gordon Ramsay, awarded several Michelin stars. His restaurant even sells gourmet dishes to take away in a fantastic picnic bag that fits perfectly on a plane's fold-away table. Also at Heathrow is the acclaimed restaurant Beautiful Kitchen, directed by several renowned London chefs.
In the restaurant Saison Bistro At Newark Airport, you can savour the dishes of the legendary chef Alain Ducasse, the holder of six Michelin stars for his French-inspired cuisine.
Many other Michelin-starred chefs have recently opened restaurants in other airports, such as at LaGuardia, Charles de Gaulle, and even at Málaga Airport, with the Delibar from local chef Dani García.
And it's not just lavish menus with elaborate dishes that are on offer... At Vienna Airport, for example, you can sample traditional homemade Sachertorte and other cakes from the celebrated Demel patisserie. And how do you like the idea of enjoying a beer at the Craft brewery the Munich Airport's own? You will even be able to sit down and listen to some live music in the indoor garden while enjoying your craft beer.
The next time you're heading for a flight, why not go to the airport an hour earlier than usual and treat your taste buds to something special? You might be in for a very pleasant surprise.
