The 14 types of noodle soups are very popular in first and business classes, or for a trip into Hong Kong’s colonial past, there’s a tiered English cream tea, complete with scones and strawberry jam.
Cathay has also upped its game down in the cellar, hiring Debra Meiburg, one of five Masters of Wine based in Asia, to help sample beverages that go nicely a mile above the ground.
Emirates
Speaking of wine, why start with the food and pair the wine when you can do it the other way round? Emirates introduced Dom Perignon vintages last year to first- and business-class with pairing menu of canapes that included cured duck with saffron poached peach and wild smoked salmon, lemon and cumin cream cheese on Norlander bread.
The airline also has delved into some of the best-known chateaux in Bordeaux for its wine selection. Emirates food menu has also taken the healthy tack, with offerings shunning the evil saturated fats and added sugars.
For those who want to socialize at 40,000 feet, premium class passengers on the A380 can head to the bar, graze on canapes and get the bartender to fix you a drink.
Etihad
Etihad caused a stir with the introduction of its three-room luxury suite on its superjumbo called The Residence, which comes with a Savoy-trained butler, en-suite shower and private chef, earning the Skytrax award for the best first-class cabin.
For those slumming it back in business class, the situation is still far from dire. Half a dozen premium-class passengers can socialize or hold a meeting at the “Lobby” on the upper deck of the airline’s A380 aircraft. Etihad has an all-day dining menu in addition to its a la carte options, rather like room service, so you can eat that steak sandwich whenever you like.
Alternatively the airline’s food and beverage manager will assist you in selecting dishes like Gulf lamb machboos, and there’s always the classic Arabic mezze platter. While Etihad has gone large for its super-elite customers, it’s gone small for the wine selection, choosing bottles from smaller, boutique vineyards, rather than big producers. Have a glass of Champagne Jacquart ‘Mosaique’.