From being able to pick one's seats and enter the plane first to the type of food one gets aboard the plane, there are countless ways airlines like to show its business and first-class travelers that it's worth paying several thousand dollars for a ticket.
The onboard menu is something that many first class travelers look forward to in particular — a passenger on a United Airlines (UAL) -) flight from Houston to Amsterdam once became so distraught that his choice of meal was not available that he argued with flight attendants to the point of the pilot having to divert the plane. Airline enthusiasts later dug up that someone in his traveler class would have typically been given a choice between seared beef short rib, lemongrass salmon or ricotta salata with wild honey manicotti.
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While those all sound delicious, Japan Airlines (JPNRF) -) is going one step further to treat its wealthiest class of travelers — between now and the end of September, those with access to its lounges will be given a caviar and vodka pairing.
Sushi-grade caviar and vodka? Just for you, says Japan Airlines
The caviar is 1983 SUSHI CAVIAR made in Japan's Miyazaki Prefecture and served on top of a piece of nigiri sushi while the alcohol is J. CAVIAR VODKA created specially to pair with sushi.
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"It is a gem," Japan Airlines said in a statement on the caviar product translated from the Japanese. "Authentic Japanese flavor seasoned with soy sauce and rock salt and matured to bring out the original richness of caviar and the umami of soy sauce."
The pairing will be available at the first-class lounges at Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita Airport (NRT) but availability may vary depending on supply and popularity.
The products are free to anyone in the lounge, but access is typically limited to those traveling in first class and a single guest or those who may have been invited through a credit card or some kind of luxury lounge program.
Japan Airlines
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As caviar is what, for many, epitomizes high-end food, airlines periodically use it to show "look how luxuriously we can treat you." Germany's national carrier Lufthansa (DLAKF) -) has for decades been associated with serving a small serving of caviar on blini to its first-class passengers.
The airline was identified as the world's largest purchaser of caviar and once wrote that the product is "as much an intrinsic part of our First Class service as the iconic red rose."
To highlight a nation known for its fine cuisine, Air France (AFRAF) -) regularly rotates menus created by Michelin-starred chefs to highlight local and seasonal ingredients, while the United Arab Emirates-based Etihad is also known for serving premium meats and menus customized to the traveler's preferences.
In 2023, fellow UAE-based airline Emirates topped a ranking of airlines with the best food for the buffet-style servings of luxury foods and unlimited Dom Pérignon it offers its business travelers throughout the flight.
