How Singapore Airlines Makes 50,000 In-Flight Meals A Day | Big Business | Insider Business

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Published 2023-02-19
With a whopping $500 million food budget, catering chefs for Singapore Airlines pump out 19 million in-flight meals a year. But cooking food for 30,000 feet is anything but easy. Airplane meals, like us, can't miss their flights. So chefs move with military clockwork to stay within flight schedules and food safety requirements. Then there's the added issue that food can taste differently in the sky because of pressure, engine noise, and dryness on the plane. It's a phenomenon airlines and manufacturers have been working for decades to fix. Food and beverage director Antony McNeil develops meals that can regenerate well in small aircraft ovens while still tasting good.

We visit the carrier's largest catering facility inside Changi Airport to see how all this food makes it onto planes before takeoff.

0:00 Intro
1:18 Where Singapore Airlines makes in-flight meals
2:34 How in-flight meals are cooked
6:46 Why food tastes different on planes
8:58: How airline food gets to the plane

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How Singapore Airlines Makes 50,000 In-Flight Meals A Day | Big Business | Insider Business

All Comments (21)
  • @EPlTHANY
    This makes you realise how fragile the world is, and how much collective effort is required to keep things running as well as they do. The fact we function this well is just a miracle.
  • @CR9Kid
    major props to the workers. i can not imagine having to do this every day as my job
  • @mukandy23
    I flew Singapore Airlines this past September and I believe this was my first time ever finishing every meal I was given. Their food was top notch even better than the Middle Eastern airlines
  • I took Singapore Air (economy) from Seattle <-> Singapore back in October. The food and overall experience was incredible compared to anything I've had on domestic flights in the US. Seeing this makes a lot of sense why that is.
  • @Jaxck77
    This one was especially interesting. It really demonstrates just how human the airline industry is.
  • Singapore airlines has the best food I’ve ever had on a plane. Usually with airplane food I just try to eat anything that isn’t terrible and try to get something in my stomach. But Singapore airlines food was actually good. I ordered sweet and sour fish on one flight which I wasn’t sure about, especially because I’m not big into fish but I actually really enjoyed it! It wasn’t just decent, it was good. I’d love to see a video on other airlines to see how they prepare their food because there definitely has to be some differences since Singapore airlines food is much better.
  • @Sneharathee.
    What instantly attached me to this is the levels of hygiene they prepare the food with. As a consumer I would love my food cooked with that much hygiene. They look like a scientist carrying out an experiment when cooking the food . It's truly amazing what a human can possibly do. Such an intricate process.
  • @KCJbomberFTW
    Singapore is the only one left in the golden age of flight The experience hasn’t changed in decades it’s wonderful! all staff and planes are beautiful
  • It’s crazy seeing the amount of work that goes into airplane food. Edit; Thanks for the likes 😄
  • @9f81rsd00
    This will definitely make me appreciate in-flight meals more. Even the most basic airline class meals.
  • @hyooon9504
    I love Singapore airline, as well as, their food. They don't just focus on taste, but also medical and religious demands, even for economy passengers. Till now I have never seen such considerable company. Thank you
  • @pretobras
    I can only think about the lonely penne falling on the floor at 0:53
  • @BasicFolders
    I have to say, I did not expect the food to look so perfect in bulk. That looks pretty good to me. 👍
  • @petertan_sg
    I was a temp staff there, nearly 30 years ago. I occasionally add in an extra grape while packing, thinking that random passengers will be delighted for their good fortune. The kitchen looks the same as before.
  • I used to make omelettes for a major airline by hand. We didn't have the automated egg dispenser or the turntable. We used a ladle from a bucket of egg yoke and 10 gas tops. I looked after 5 while someone else was cooking on the other five. Started at 4am to ensure they were ready for the breakfast flights.
  • I’ve flown Singapore airlines 4 times in Economy this year so far and the food is very good! Their service is good, got nothing bad to say about Singapore airlines. Seeing what goes on in the background makes me appreciate this a lot more thanks to all the workers!
  • As a Singaporean I'm so proud of Singapore Airlines, seeing all the positive comments about our airline makes me so happy :DD
  • Can't help but notice how insider doesn't put subtitles on the Australian chef. But for the Singaporean guy, they put on subtitles. I can understand both perfectly despite their accent. Just put subtitles on for everyone. It's great for accessibility.
  • The magnitude of all the whole process makes me appreciate all the staff and crew very much 🙏👍🌻
  • @Bigrig90
    I never have much thought as to where my airplane meals came from, this is certainly a cool eye opener. It makes you wonder how much of this goes on around the world is very single day, not just for airlines!