<P> An airline meal, airline food, plane food or in - flight meal is a meal served to passengers on board a commercial airliner . These meals are prepared by specialist airline catering services and normally served to passengers using an airline service trolley . </P> <P> These meals vary widely in quality and quantity across different airline companies and classes of travel . They range from a simple snack or beverage in short - haul economy class to a seven - course gourmet meal in a first class long - haul flight . When ticket prices were regulated in the American domestic market, food was the primary means airlines differentiated themselves . </P> <P> The first airline meals were served by Handley Page Transport, an airline company founded in 1919, to serve the London--Paris route in October of that year . Passengers could choose from a selection of sandwiches and fruit . </P> <P> The type of food varies depending upon the airline company and class of travel . Meals may be served on one tray or in multiple courses with no tray and with a tablecloth, metal cutlery, and glassware (generally in first and business classes). Often the food is reflective of the culture of the country the airline is based in . </P>

When was the first airline meal served during a flight