Air New Zealand has released its new in-flight menu for passengers in its premium cabins.
1News went along to try some of the airlines newest offerings.
The airline said the menu is "a taste journey through Aotearoa" and is available on all long-haul flights departing from New Zealand.
Some of the latest dishes to feature include:
- Confit potato with onion crème fraîche whip and chives
- Mānuka smoked rye sourdough
- Smoked kahawai rillette with celery, caper, parsley salsa and citrus
- Crayfish bisque with chive crème fraîche and sourdough croutons
- Slow cooked wild Fiordland Venison with pancetta, parmesan polenta and balsamic roasted red onions
- Seared New Zealand snapper with escabeche vegetables, smoked mussels, white beans and fresh dill
- Ambrosia ice cream
Speaking to 1News, chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said the menu was designed to showcase the best of regional produce in New Zealand.
"It's really designed to give visitors the exceptional and unique flavours of New Zealand."
She said the chefs have used foods from Kiwi businesses like Duck Island, Daily Bread, and Molly Woppy.
Asked how different the food tastes on the ground compared to in-flight, Geraghty said: "Aeroplane food has a different dynamic to it. You know, there are a lot of adjustments that have to be made to account for altitude with taste and flavours."
"With certain foods once they're up in the air, you have to make allowances for texture change and taste change. People's taste changes at altitude, plus the way the food forms and holds together is different and all of that is taken into account when we develop, test and trial our menus."
She said she thinks aeroplane food has improved "significantly", particularly over the past few years as airlines have tried hard to elevate their menu offerings.
Some of the new in-flight snacks include gingerbread, Snackachangi chips, Graze skinny dipped almonds, and Dr Bugs feijoa cider popcorn.
What about economy?
Both economy and premium meals are changed twice a year for long-haul flights but no premium meals cross over into economy.
While the snacks may be different depending on the cabin, Geraghty said snacks across all cabins were updated last year.
Examples for the current economy menus are:
- Miso chicken with rice and seasonal vegetables
- Cheese and crackers
- Potato salad
- Warm rēwena style potato bread roll
- Dessert
Breakfast:
- Fresh fruit salad
- Strawberry yoghurt
- Hotcakes with berry compote and custard
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