Best First Class Food in 2025: A Culinary Journey Above the Clouds

In 2025, first-class travel is about more than just extra space and privacy—it’s an invitation to experience world-class dining at 35,000 feet. Top airlines are partnering with Michelin-starred chefs, sourcing regionally inspired ingredients, and even allowing passengers to pre-select custom meals days in advance. The evolution of in-flight cuisine has turned aircraft cabins into airborne fine-dining restaurants. From à la carte tasting menus to chef-prepared dishes plated like art, these are the airlines setting the gold standard for luxury food in the skies.

Emirates: A Middle Eastern Feast with Global Flair

Emirates continues to dominate the high-end dining space with its lavish first-class food offerings. In 2025, passengers enjoy a dine-on-demand concept with an extensive à la carte menu that spans Arabic mezze, Japanese miso-marinated black cod, and decadent desserts like rosewater panna cotta. Meals are served on fine bone china and presented with Dom Pérignon champagne or Château Lafite Rothschild wines, depending on the route. The airline also offers regionally tailored menus on routes to Asia and Europe, ensuring every dish resonates with local culinary traditions. A new feature introduced this year is the pre-select option via the Emirates app, allowing travelers to reserve specific gourmet dishes up to 14 days in advance.

Singapore Airlines: A Michelin-Starred Experience

Singapore Airlines has raised the bar in 2025 by expanding its partnership with renowned chefs from its International Culinary Panel, including Georges Blanc and Yoshihiro Murata. Its Book the Cook program—one of the first of its kind—now features over 60 gourmet entrées that can be reserved before departure. Dishes like lobster thermidor, wagyu beef in truffle jus, and laksa with prawns are plated and served restaurant-style in-flight. In first class, meals are accompanied by premium wines such as Krug Grande Cuvée and hand-picked vintages from Burgundy. The airline’s attention to detail—like warmed bread baskets, porcelain service ware, and sommelier-curated pairings—has earned its food offering near-legendary status among frequent flyers.

ANA (All Nippon Airways): Japanese Kaiseki in the Sky

ANA’s The Suite first class cabins are paired with one of the most elegant menus in aviation: the Japanese kaiseki experience. In 2025, ANA has partnered with top Tokyo chefs to refine its multi-course meals that follow the seasonal structure of traditional Japanese haute cuisine. Passengers are treated to offerings like simmered wagyu with daikon, miso-marinated cod, sushi prepared by hand prior to departure, and matcha desserts served with artisanal teas. For those who prefer a Western-style option, ANA also offers dishes like foie gras terrine and roasted duck breast. Every element, from presentation to flavor balance, reflects ANA’s dedication to precision and omotenashi—the spirit of Japanese hospitality.

Qatar Airways: Modern Luxury with a Regional Twist

Qatar Airways offers one of the most refined dining programs in first class. In 2025, it continues its focus on modern Middle Eastern and international cuisine, curated by chefs like Nobu Matsuhisa and Vineet Bhatia. Signature dishes such as lamb machboos, seared sea bass with saffron risotto, and spiced lentil soup are highlights on long-haul routes. Meals are paired with an award-winning wine list, including vintages like Taittinger Comtes de Champagne and Château Margaux. Passengers can dine at any time, and crew receive culinary service training from the airline’s luxury hospitality division, ensuring that food is plated and served at restaurant quality.

Lufthansa: Elegant European Cuisine in 'Allegris' First Class

Lufthansa's new 'Allegris' first-class product, introduced in 2025, brings with it a refined menu grounded in seasonal German and European cuisine. First-class passengers enjoy white-tablecloth service with options such as roast goose with red cabbage, chanterelle mushroom risotto, and grilled sea bass with beurre blanc. Lufthansa’s wine cellar program continues to be one of the most curated in the skies, offering German Rieslings alongside international vintages. Onboard bread is freshly warmed, and desserts include options like black forest cake and Bavarian cream with cherry compote. The new cabin layout also includes a larger dining table, allowing for a full course-by-course experience rather than a tray-based meal.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, first-class food is a defining part of the luxury travel experience—not just a necessity but a pleasure. Airlines are investing in fine dining as seriously as they do in flat-bed seats and premium lounges. Whether it's the multi-course Japanese precision of ANA, the rich Middle Eastern influence of Qatar Airways, or the iconic European menus aboard Lufthansa, every dish tells a story—and every bite feels like a destination in itself.

To explore these luxury experiences and plan your next indulgent escape, visit PrivyTrips, your gateway to premium air travel.