Do foreign airlines still serve meals?

[Cathyb]

We have two trips -- one to Fiji and one to Thailand -- and wondered if the foreign airlines are still serving free meals. We travel to Fiji on Quantas then Air Pacific and to Thailand we go on Singapore Airlines.

Thanks in advance for any insight

[Jimster]

Of course, even the domestic airlines serve meals on international flights.

[Carolinian]

Foreign airlines trans-Atlantic offer much better amenities than US airlines. Most of them still give free alcohol in coach, while among the carriers on this side of the pond only NW still does that. The meals are often better too. They usually also give meals in coach on short flights within Europe, and often have free alcohol there, too. Funny thing, many of them are also making a profit! Of course, only the legacy carriers offer such amenities, but the European LCC's tend to outdo their US counterparts on price. I would fly a European carrier anytime, in preference to a US carrier.

I don't fly to the Pacific much, but Singapore Airlines has a reputation for some of the best flight amenities in the world.

[Keitht]

In Europe you do need to be aware that many of the airlines run by tour operators also charge for food and drink. These airlines don't fall into the category of LCC although they are considerably cheaper than the main carriers such as British Airways.

[camachinist]

Originally Posted by Cathyb

We have two trips -- one to Fiji and one to Thailand -- and wondered if the foreign airlines are still serving free meals. We travel to Fiji on Quantas then Air Pacific and to Thailand we go on Singapore Airlines.

Thanks in advance for any insight

If you're curious what meals are being served (and what people think of them), try going here:

http://www.airlinemeals.net/

Also, be aware, with many airlines, you can order a special meal which might be more to your liking. For example on our recent Japan trip, we ordered Bento boxes, and, went I went to Australia in March, I ordered Asian vegetarian. I've also had the Hindu and straight vegetarian meals. This is on United. An interesting nuance (and helpful for me) is that special meals get served first, before main meal service starts, at least on UA, and I'm done with the meal, in and out of the bathroom (I always sit on the aisle) and settled before most everyone else has come close to finishing their meal. It beats the bathroom rush after meals, which can be onerous in Y.

A friend who recently flew to Australia on Air Pacific said the food in Y was nothing to write home about, but her seat in the upper deck was quite comfortable for the long flight, which stopped at Nadi on the way. YMMV...

Safe travels!

Pat