Private Jet Food Menu: What Food is Served on a Private Jet?

Many people will base their traveling experience on the food that was served to them on an airplane–and it’s the same when taking a private jet. There are even Youtubers and travel influencers who have created channels that just review airline food.

Luckily, flying private offers many benefits, like being able to customize your aircraft to fit your wants and needs–and being in control of your private jet’s food menu. 

So whether you have a Cessna or King Air or your chartering with Flexjet or Netjets, knowing the best food, snacks and drinks to serve will complete your flying experience. 

What food can be served on a private jet?

A huge perk of flying private is that you are in full control of what food and beverages will be served during your flight. You have the capability of getting whatever snacks, meals, and drinks you want for your journey. While private jets can run up costs, having the food you love can be well worth it. 

There really aren’t any restrictions to what kind of food can be served. In some cases people are even able to have their favorite meals from outside establishments brought in. If you’re looking for something custom or a bit more lavish, that can be done as well.

What drinks can be served on a private jet? 

There are no restrictions as to what kind of drinks can be served on a private jet. Soda, sparkling water, still water, coffee and tea are standard in flight refreshments.

Alcoholic drinks like wine, champagne, beer and cocktails may be served on a private jet. 

Per the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), “No person may drink any alcoholic beverage aboard an aircraft unless the certificate holder operating the aircraft has served that beverage to him.”  This means that alcohol must be served by the crew. 

If there are other beverages that you would want during your flight, you are able to have whatever you want in order to make your journey more enjoyable. 

Consider thinking about drinks that may stain if spilled due to turbulence or other accidents. Drinks like red wine are prone to staining upholstery if spilled. However, if red wine is a must for your travels don’t let that deter you from having it on board! Southern Air Custom Interiors is available to help if any interior refurbishments need to be done to your aircraft seating or carpet. 

What to consider when picking a menu for private jet flights 

While the sky’s the limit when it comes to what can be served on a private jet–pun intended–there are some elements to consider when picking out your private jet flight menu. 

How long is the flight? 

The duration of your flight will help you determine what kind of menu you will want/need for your trip. 

If you’re taking a shorter flight for less than a couple hours, there may be no need for a full course meal. Those shorter flights may require light snacks and drinks, like chips, fruit and cheese. 

For longer flights, more meals and drinks may be needed. For example, if your flight is overnight, having dinner and a breakfast should be something you plan for. 

Who is flying with you? 

When it comes to preparing and figuring out what kind of food and beverages you’ll want for your flight, you should take into consideration who will be flying with you. 

One of the first factors you may want to consider is what kinds of food allergies, food restrictions, or dietary needs your passengers have. Do you or one of the passengers have a gluten intolerance? Is anyone lactose intolerant? Maybe someone may have a severe food allergy, like peanuts. These  factors will affect what type of snacks and meals you will be able to serve. 

Next, if you’re traveling with children you may want to have their favorite snacks and drinks on hand. Getting their favorite items might save you from some unhappy passengers. 

If you’re traveling for business and may have business partners on board, having a beautiful spread and selection can make a huge impact. Again, try and see if any individuals have any dietary restrictions or allergies so that you can make those accommodations. Also, putting time into research and then serving up some favorites of your passengers will be very impressive. 

If you’re traveling for leisure, that vacation mode can start right away when you board your jet. So planning out your own favorite items–or options local to where you’re heading–can make the experience even more exciting. 

Your aircraft’s capabilities 

Not all private jets are created equal. Some smaller planes may not have a galley or a large enough space to handle extra items. 

Is your aircraft able to heat up food? Is there enough space for meal prepping? Consider what your aircraft is capable of handling when it comes to preparing your private jet menu.

Southern Air Custom Interiors can help you make any aircraft interior refurbishments or modifications you may need to fit your needs.  This could include upgrading your galley/kitchen area or even adding one if possible. 

If your jet is smaller, having a designated area for meal prepping could be something to consider. Southern Air Custom Interiors can also assist you in customizing your cabinets for a better bar and snack area. 

Food taste can change on jets

You may find that people have an aversion to airplane food, but there’s a biological reason for that! Your taste buds change when you’re on a plane for several reasons. 

Within the cabin, the air tends to be drier, making nasal passages drier, which in turn makes your taste buds less receptive. The low cabin pressure also affects your taste by decreasing oxygen levels in your blood which weaken your sense of smell–and therefore taste. 

The noise from the engine can also play a part in changing how food and drinks taste when you’re traveling in the air. In 2011, research was conducted on human taste and atmospheric pressure which found that sensitivity to sweet and salty food were reduced by at least 30% when flying. 

A popular beverage on commercial flights is tomato juice. Tomato juice is described as having a umami flavor profile. Another study showed that umami flavors were enhanced on flights making it much more enjoyable. 

Foods and drinks with umami flavor profiles that may taste amazing on flights include:

• Tomatoes
• Seaweed
• Soy based food like soy sauce, miso, and soybeans
• Aged cheeses like cheddar, gouda, parmesan, and roquefort
• Green tea
• Seafood like tuna, cod, yellowtail, and mackerel 
• Meats, bacon, and ham have the highest umami profiles
• Mushrooms
• Corn
• Garlic
• Green Peas
• Potatoes 

While we’re not suggesting you only serve umami-laden foods, don’t be surprised if those options really impress your passengers. 

Catering & Food Options for Your Private Jet

There are different ways that you can get your desired food and drinks on your private jet. The most straightforward way is bringing food yourself. If your plane has the accommodations for you, hiring a personal chef is something to consider. This would be a great option for longer flights where more meals would need to be prepared. 

There are also catering companies that can prepare your meals and snacks for you. If you’re chartering a plane, companies like FlexJet can help take care of your in-flight dining options as well. 

Example menu for private jet charters

Possible reference: https://www.stratosjets.com/faq/can-eat-jet-charter-flight/

Your options for snacks, meals, appetizers, desserts, and drinks are truly limitless when it comes to what you can have when you’re traveling in the air. What you can eat adds to your level of comfort and enjoyment when you’re flying, so take advantage of having the ability to pick and choose what you want!

Example of possible in-flight menu options include:

Cold Starters:

• Smoked salmon with cream cheese, red onions, and capers
• Asian-inspired salmon cucumber bites
• Deviled eggs
• Classic carpaccio

Warm Starters:

• Jumbo grilled shrimp with a creamy lemon sauce
• Prosciutto wrapped asparagus 
• Cheesy corn fritters
• Spinach and goat cheese quiche 

Breakfast:

• Continental breakfast tray: croissants, bagel, toast with jams or preserves, fresh cut fruit with either coffee, tea or your preferred choice of juice
• Mini pancakes with syrup
• Breakfast wrap with scrambled eggs, bacon, and tomatoes

Main Dinner or Lunch Course:

• Wagyu beef strip 
• Grilled sea bass
• Spaghetti carbonara
• Vegetarian lasagna 

Sides and Veggies:

• Grilled vegetables
• Garlic mashed potatoes 
• Rice medley
• Baked mini potatoes
• Plain penne pasta
• Sauteed sweet carrots and corn

Dessert:

• NY-style cheesecake
• Belgian chocolate tarte 
• Classic creme brulee 
• Tiramisu 

Snacks:

• Chips
• Chocolate
• Mixed nuts
• Granola

Kids Menu:

• Hamburger or cheeseburger
• Grilled cheese sandwich
• Macaroni and cheese
• Mini pizza 
• PB&J 

Drinks:

• Tea, hot or cold
• Coffee
• Soda
• Sparkling or still water
• Wine, white, red, rose 
• Champagne or prosecco 
• Imported Beer
• Whiskey
• Gin 
• Tequila 

But of course, the beauty is that you can choose any of these options, or none of them. If you want to take on your favorite pizza from New York City, stop over in Buffalo to grab some chicken wings, and then continue to the best tacos of Austin, Texas, you can do all of that–and more. 

Private jet menus are really about the passengers, so whatever will excite them–from fancy drinks to doughnuts–you can do. 

Conclusion: Southern Air Custom Interiors to Customize Your Jet Experience

There are people out there that wished airline food was better, and understandably so! Your inflight dining experience should be an enjoyable experience. Fortunately for those that fly private, whether you just want something simple or a more luxurious dining experience, you can. 

At Southern Air Custom Interiors, we can assist you in customizing your private jet to accommodate exactly what you want to help achieve your ultimate in-flight dining experience–and provide aircraft maintenance while we’re at it!  

Contact Southern Air Custom Interiors to get a quote today and you can start flying in style in no time.