Airplane food often gets a bad rap.
It turns out it’s not entirely the airlines’ fault food tastes At 30,000 feet it’s different than on solid ground – and it’s not just in your head that you suddenly crave ginger ale as soon as the plane takes off.
It’s science.
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“It’s not your imagination. Food and drinks taste different in the air,” editor-in-chief of The Points Guy, a travel website, told Fox News Digital.
The combination of lower humidity and a pressurized cabin leads to dehydration — which “means things taste blander,” says Henderson, who lives in New York.
The high altitude of flights means that food and drinks, especially tomato juice, taste different than on the ground. (Rob Kim/Getty Images GQ)
In particular, he added, “your perception of saltiness and sweetness is particularly affected. Sour, bitter and spicy flavors are not nearly as affected, which could explain why food preparation companies use more seasoning than they would on the ground.”
This is also why tomato juice – the main ingredient in a Bloody Maryfull of sweetness and umami – just tastes better in the air.
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Ginger beer also has a comparable taste improvement at higher altitudes.
The loud background noise and vibration on the plane also play a role in determining how things taste, Henderson said.
The sounds and vibrations of an airplane can make things taste different. (iStock)
He noted that studies have shown that these factors can affect a person’s sense of smell.
For Henderson, this is the case when he flies.
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“I also notice that my sense of smell is affected, which can really change the taste of food as well,” he said.
“My sense of smell is affected, which can also really change the taste of food.”
When flyingHenderson’s usual drink order is a Coke Zero or a combination of cranberry juice and soda with his meals, he said.
When food orders are placed, a travel expert (not pictured) recommended going for the pasta — unless the burger or short rib is available on American Airlines, he said. (iStock)
“American Airlines serves espressos on some of its flagship routes, but I like that airplane coffee is usually not great,” he said.
And if food is ordered, he recommends going for the pasta – unless the burger or short rib is available on American Airlines.
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He said these are his favorites.
Coffee on planes is “usually not great,” a travel expert said. (iStock)
Pasta, however, is “usually quite tasty in the air, no matter who serves it,” he said.
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But for anyone looking to maximize flavor on airplanes, Henderson suggested one thing to avoid: overdoing it on alcoholic drinks.
Pasta is usually a safe bet on airlines, a travel expert told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
This is “not a good idea,” he said.
Alcohol “makes dehydration and hangovers worse,” he said.
