Fact check: How are meals prepared and served for passengers of commercial flights?

1. Summary of the results

Airline meal preparation is a complex, multi-step process that primarily takes place on the ground. Meals are prepared by specialized catering companies like LSG Sky Chefs or Gate Gourmet in large kitchens near airports ^[1]. The food is partially cooked, flash-chilled, and transported to aircraft, where it's reheated in specialized convection ovens within ten hours of preparation ^[2]. The process involves professional chefs on the ground, and in some premium airlines like Turkish Airlines, onboard chefs may prepare fresh ingredients ^[1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial aspects weren't addressed in the original question:

• Cost Variation: There's a significant price difference in meal preparation across cabin classes:
• Economy meals: $4-15
• Business class: $25-50
• First-class: Up to $100 ^{[3] [4]}
• Technical Challenges: Airlines face unique challenges in food preparation:
• High altitude affects taste
• Meals must withstand pressure changes
• Limited galley space for preparation ^[5]
• Industry Scale: The airline catering industry is a multi-billion dollar operation involving intricate logistics for thousands of daily flights ^[4]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question might lead one to assume that meals are primarily prepared on aircraft, which is incorrect. Key clarifications:

• Most preparation happens in ground facilities, not on aircraft ^[1]
• Aircraft use specialized convection ovens, not microwaves ^[2]
• While some premium airlines offer onboard chefs, this is not standard industry practice ^[1]

The major beneficiaries of this system include:

• Large catering companies like LSG Sky Chefs and Gate Gourmet who dominate the industry ^[1]
• Airlines who can maintain cost control through standardized processes
• Premium airlines who can differentiate themselves through superior food service and onboard chefs