Global aviation rating agency Skytrax has published its list of the best first-class food in 2025, with airlines receiving accolades based on their in-flight offerings and the variety of options available to passengers.
There is also a clear importance given to presentation, the number of liquor options that can be paired with food, as well as their cultural value to the airline.
Top 10 Best First Class Food in 2025
Having said that, here is a look at the world’s top 10 best first-class foods in 2025.
Photo: Singapore Airlines1. Singapore Airlines (SQ/SIA)
Singapore Airlines leads the way with its first-class food in 2025.
Its Book the Cook service is one of its kind and lets passengers pre-select from over 60 gourmet options like lobster thermidor, wagyu with truffle jus, or Hainanese chicken rice, depending on the route and regional demography of the majority of flyers.
Food is paired with rich champagnes and fine vintage wines, and meals are served on fine glassware with premium cutlery. Menus are curated by internationally recognised chefs from different geographies, who curate regionally specific meals.
The in-flight service feels restaurant‑level. In addition to the chief courses, warm bread baskets, attentive presentation, and impeccable timing make dining a top-class experience.
Photo: Air France2. Air France (AF/AFR)
Air France’s La Premiere offers world-class dining that draws influence from its Parisian roots. Dishes crafted by Michelin-starred chefs like Francois Rouquette or Anne-Sophie Pic are offered to passengers regularly and feature fusion items such as rolled smoked sole, goat cheese ravioli, and coffee-smoked beef fillet.
The courses arrive at the tables on fine china with vintage liquor options. Dining is a la carte, served on demand. In addition, the lounge at Paris CDG offers exclusive dining rooms with gourmet meals before boarding.
For those looking to enjoy dining on board, Air France provides as good an experience as possible 35,000 feet in the air and just before embarking on the journey alike.
Photo: Lufthansa3. Lufthansa (LH/DLH)
Lufthansa’s first class, which has been massively revamped in 2025, brings German dining to the fore. Menus emphasise healthy European cuisine and offer items like roast goose with red cabbage, chanterelle risotto, sea bass with beurre blanc, with curated wine pairings.
The courses are plated with utmost professionalism, served with freshly warmed bread and local desserts like Bavarian cream or Black Forest cake. Dining within the seat is enhanced by rich-looking tableware and large tray tables.
Lufthansa’s food and service are far from flashy but always live up to its reputation of efficiency, and offer those with a taste for European cuisines a new option to try every time they fly.
Emirates Economy; Photo- Emirates4. Emirates (EK/UAE)
Emirates remains a heavyweight in first‑class food service in 2025, considering the experience is offered on nearly all of its routes.
The dine-on-demand menus offer everything from Wagyu beef with herbs to Arabic mezze or chicken biryani. Meals are presented on Royal Doulton china with Robert Welch cutlery, paired with aged champagnes, wines, and whisky.
Vegan and regionally inspired options, like zucchini tart or jackfruit biryani, feel inventive and well executed. Passengers can pre-order meals up to two weeks ahead via the Emirates app, and as with most globally-renowned carriers, the experience in the lounge also stands out.
Photo: Cathay Pacific5. Cathay Pacific Airways (CX/CPA)
Cathay Pacific’s first-class food in 2025 blends quality with tasty and traditional Hong Kong flavours. With onboard rice cookers, skillets, and toasters, flight attendants prepare fresh steamed rice, eggs, or noodles to order.
The signature dishes might include Hakka mustard greens pork, curry prawns, or wok-fried chicken, prepared on demand, and meals reflect regional authenticity elevated in presentation, along with healthy options also available to those who prefer Western cuisines.
Desserts and teas also stem from local flavours. In The Pier lounge at Hong Kong, passengers can enjoy pre-flight meals prepared a la carte from an extensive menu.
Photo: Qantas6. Qantas Airways (QF/QFA)
Qantas offers refined first-class dining rooted in modern Australian flavour. Lead chef Neil Perry has shaped menus with seasonal seafood like barramundi, grilled cuts, and local produce.
All meals are served a la carte, with relaxed timing and generous portioning, paired with fine local wines. In Sydney, the First Lounge provides an extension of the onboard service, as luxury dining can be enjoyed within calm surroundings.
The service style is warm and genuine, aligning with Australia’s laid-back hospitality. Qantas’ first-class food isn’t flashy but comforting in its quality.
Photo: All Nippon Airways7. All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA)
ANA continues to impress in 2025 with its Japanese-style first-class menus in its suites.
Each course is regionally and seasonally structured and includes premium wagyu, miso-marinated cod, sushi prepared before departure, and matcha desserts. International options like foie gras or roasted duck complement the Japanese offerings.
The service is rooted in omotenashi, a concept that translates to being subtle, precise, and deeply respectful. All are paired with sake, champagne, or fine wine, and the dining ambience is orchestrated to feel personal.
In the Tokyo lounges, diners enjoy a peaceful ambience and freshly prepared meals.
Photo: SWISS8. Swiss (LX/SWR)
Swiss’ “Taste of Switzerland” programme brings regional gourmet flavours to its first-class menus. Seasonal offerings such as beef tenderloin with Nidwalden-style mashed potatoes or veal dishes rotate quarterly and pair with fine Swiss wines and local cheeses.
The presentation is restaurant-like and consistent, while all foods are paired with a well-curated list of beverages, which the cabin crew has a brilliant idea of. The dining delivers a true sense of luxury in the sky.
Photo: Etihad Airways9. Etihad Airways (EY/ETD)
Etihad’s first class routes offer a restaurant-quality food experience. Dine-anytime menus include Middle Eastern dishes and global cuisine, plated creatively and delivered promptly when passengers request.
Private tables, fresh ingredients, and an attentive service model make the cabin feel intimate yet refined. In Abu Dhabi’s first-class lounges, passengers enjoy a la carte meals in a serene ambience.
The diversified dining options are a favourite among passengers from different backgrounds and are a key reason behind Etihad’s popularity as a first-class product.
Photo: British Airways10. British Airways (BA/BAW)
British Airways offers a staple British dining experience in first class that blends tradition with modernity. Menus designed by Tom Kerridge feature seasonal dishes like beef bourguignon, sea bass, lamb Wellington, and curated afternoon tea with scones and sandwiches.
Canapes and warm nuts accompany beverages as well. The dining is flexible with on-demand service, and a wine list includes English sparkling options like Nyetimber.
While BA has received some criticism for losing depth on brunch and light options, many flyers praise its main courses, such as scallop tartare, smoked salmon, lamb rack, and cheese platters, as standout highlights.
Eid Al Adha Meal; Photo: EmiratesBottom line
When it comes to first-class dining in the sky, the finest airlines have bridged the gap between restaurant and aircraft cabins, offering dishes and service that felt impeccably professional despite cruising at 35,000 feet.
This year’s leaders brought creativity and consistency to every offering. Each airline added a personal signature to make dining a memory in itself.
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Top 20 First Class Airlines in the World in 2025
The post Top 10 Airlines with Best First Class Food in the World in 2025 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
