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What's up with airline food?

The Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate.

Aeroplane food doesn’t have the greatest reputation. Though it might be easy to blame an airline for serving lacklustre meals, the problem is more complex.

Ruth Alexander discovers how the physics of flying wreaks havoc on our senses, the extraordinary lengths airlines have gone to try to dress up their food offering, and what it’s like to be the one serving you at your seat.

And, she asks, will it ever be possible for all passengers to enjoy a tasty and nourishing meal in the air?

Culinary historian, Richard Foss, chef-patron of Kitchen Theory, Jozef Youssef, and flight attendant, Kaylie Kay, join her for the ride.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected]

(Picture: Child wearing headphones, eating food on board a plane. Credit: Getty/BBC)

Producer: Elisabeth Mahy

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 19 Jun 2022 07:32GMT
BBC World Service except Europe and the Middle East

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Broadcasts

  • Thu 16 Jun 2022 03:32GMT
    BBC World Service except Australasia, East Asia & South Asia
  • Thu 16 Jun 2022 04:32GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia, East Asia & South Asia only
  • Thu 16 Jun 2022 10:32GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Thu 16 Jun 2022 21:32GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
  • Thu 16 Jun 2022 22:32GMT
    BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East
  • Sun 19 Jun 2022 07:32GMT
    BBC World Service except Europe and the Middle East

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