Why First Class Meals Cost 20x More Than Economy

Next time you're eating a lukewarm chicken breast at 35,000 feet, consider this: that mediocre meal cost the airline somewhere between $4 and $15. Meanwhile, passengers up in first class are enjoying cuisine that runs the airline upwards of $100 per plate—and sometimes as much as $300 when celebrity chefs get involved.

The price gap isn't just about fancier ingredients. It's about portion sizes, presentation, choice, and the economics of feeding people in a metal tube hurtling through the sky.

The Economy Reality

That $4-15 economy meal has to cover everything: ingredients, preparation, packaging, loading, and the logistics of keeping food safe at altitude. Budget airlines like Spirit spend as little as 26 cents per passenger on food (basically pretzels), while major carriers like American Airlines average around $6.43 per meal.

The meal also has to survive being prepared hours in advance, chilled, transported, loaded onto a plane, and reheated in convection ovens that work differently at altitude. Everything tastes blander up there anyway—your taste buds are about 30% less effective in the dry, pressurized cabin.

First Class: Where $300 Meals Happen

First class is a different universe. Airlines partner with renowned chefs to create multi-course meals with premium ingredients. We're talking lobster, wagyu beef, caviar, and wines selected by sommeliers. Some offerings prepared by globally recognized culinary talents can cost airlines $300 per passenger.

The presentation matters too. First class meals come on actual plates with real silverware, cloth napkins, and multiple courses served throughout the flight. Economy passengers get everything on one tray, all at once.

The Math Behind the Madness

Why would airlines spend 20 times more on a first class meal? Because they're charging 5-10 times more for the ticket. A passenger paying $5,000 for a first class seat expects an experience that justifies the cost. That $100-300 meal is part of the value proposition.

Meanwhile, economy passengers are often choosing flights based primarily on price. Investing heavily in economy meals doesn't translate to higher ticket sales the way premium cabin dining does.

The Shifting Landscape

Interestingly, some airlines are now scaling back. United Airlines stopped offering complimentary meals on domestic first class flights under 900 miles in 2024. Other carriers are following suit, recognizing that passengers on short hops care more about getting there quickly than about elaborate dining.

But on long-haul international flights, the meal game remains intense. Airlines compete fiercely for premium passengers, and exceptional dining is a major differentiator. When you're trapped in a seat for 14 hours, quality food matters—enough that airlines will spend triple digits to get it right.