Fly the (Foodie) Friendly Skies

When traveling from Hong Kong to Singapore, we flew on the illustrious Singapore Airlines.  Although G is usually the one excited about airplanes, I have to admit that I was looking forward to this ride.  I had heard things.  Wonderful things about food and wine and service that could make one forget about being locked in a pressurized cabin 35,000 feet above the earth.

I was not disappointed.

There was nothing super impressive about the aircraft itself, although I'm not snubbing my nose at a safe flight.  To me, the whole concept of lift and thrust and yaw is like magic:

Source

Especially considering that a bad storm passed over the island the morning we flew out, and for about two hours, Hong Kong International Airport was closed due to "severe lightning."  But we made it (eventually) onto the flight and experienced the wonder that is Singapore Airlines.

It is worth noting that we did not have any kind of special seating; it was Economy Class all the way.  No Business Class, no extra legroom, no sitting in an exit row.  We were 100% in cattle car mode.  As we boarded and made ourselves comfortable, the staff walked up and down the aisles passing out warm, scented hand towels.  Not the disposable kind; real towels.

I sighed and settled back into my seat.

After we leveled off in the air, I could hear gentle questions from the aisle,

"Red or White?"

"Hello sir!  Red or White?"

My mouth started watering.  Sure enough, they were passing out complimentary wine.  And more warm hand towels.  I was waiting for the offer of a massage or perhaps a facial when a woman handed me this booklet:

It was the menu.  A menu booklet.  For Economy Class.

The introduction says, (italics mine):

"Welcome aboard Singapore Airlines.

As you settle back to enjoy your flight, we are pleased to offer World Gourmet Cuisine, a sumptuous selection of dishes created under the guidance of our own chefs.

Using fine quality produce, the menu features authentic Asian flavours derived from traditional recipes, as well as Western cuisine with an inspired, modern touch.

To further delight the palate, complement your meat with a choice of fine red or white wines carefully selected by our esteemed Wine Consultants.

Bon appétit!"

Needless to say, I was in love.  Since ours was a day flight, we had two lunch menus to choose from: international or oriental selection.  I made G order one and I ordered the other and I ate both while he scowled out the window.  It's called two separate trips to the nerd store in Hong Kong.  It's called twelve years of marriage and he can deal with it.  I enjoyed every bite.

Each meal had 4 courses:  appetizer, main course, light bites and dessert.  These were served alongside complimentary beverages (even the alcohol was complimentary, even in Economy class).  They were served with real silverware on real dishes - no plastic, no saran wrap, no cold rolls hard enough to use in a baseball game.  This was the real deal!

A sample of one of the lunch menu options

You guys - it was real food!  I'm not saying it was the best meal(s) of my life or anything, but I'm saying I was sitting on an airplane enjoying dishes that taste better than many restaurants. !!

For once - and probably only this once - I found myself more excited than G in an airplane.  :)  You would have been excited too!  Now if we could only fly on Emirates Air and Korean Air.  One of these days...