Experience the flavours of Japan at 30,000 feet with Japan Airlines
Known for unique flavours, elegant presentation, and high-quality ingredients, Japanese cuisine is a favourite among food connoisseurs. Japan Airlines’ ( JAL) inflight dining not only offers an authentic taste of Japan, but is also helping the airline achieve its goal of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
Michelin-starred dining
As part of Japan Airlines’ meal service concept, “Sky Auberge BEDD by JAL,” the airline has engaged top chefs from around the globe to curate gastronomic adventures inflight.
First class passengers travelling from Tokyo to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London and Paris can enjoy delicacies from Michelin-starred chef Ishikawa Hideki, known for his Tokyo restaurant Ishikawa, and chef Koizumi of restaurant Kohaku, both of which have three Michelin stars. Menu highlights include sea urchin and plantain lily with soy sauce and rice vinegar; and Wagyu confit and bamboo shoot with Japanese starchy sauce, seasonal crab sashimi with vinegar broth jelly.
Last February, owner/chef of the beloved restaurant Roketsu in London and Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador, Daisuke Hayashi, partnered with JAL to create a limited-time menu highlighting Japanese rice flour noodles. This offering provided passengers with a unique gluten-free option with Japanese-made ingredients. Daisuke Hayashi is also responsible for the first class and business class menus on routes from London, Paris, Helsinki, and Frankfurt to Japan.
JAL also offers Japanese and western dishes at passengers’ convenience through the meal programme “Anytime You Wish”, available to enjoy after the flight’s first meal service.
Premium beverage selection
Japan Airlines also offers a selection of premium beverages. Japan Airlines’ resident wine advisor, acclaimed sommelier Motohiro Okoshi, has selected a variety of wines to perfectly complement the iconic inflight cuisine.
Passengers aboard Japan Airlines can imbibe some of Japan’s most prestigious spirits, such as Japanese rice wine, or sake, and Shochu, a distilled vodka-like spirit. Additional luxury offerings include the rare Salon Champagne and for non-alcoholic options, the premier Royal Blue Tea.
Sustainable dining in the sky
To achieve its goal of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, JAL is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint with sustainable dining. The airline is utilising local and seasonal ingredients, reducing food waste and offering plant-based options. JAL also plans to recycle 100 per cent of its food waste into fertiliser through composting by 2025.
Japan Airlines is dedicated to using ingredients with a low environmental impact. In November 2022, Japan Airlines partnered with Berlin-based BettaF!sh to serve its seaweed-based tuna alternative, TU-NAH vegetable wrap on London-Tokyo flights for a limited time.
The airline’s “Meal Skip Option” also allows customers to opt-out of meal service on their flight. The voluntary programme is offered on all routes and provides a quick, easy way for travellers to reduce food waste. Donations are made to the Table for Two programme for every skipped meal.
For discerning travellers who are passionate about authentic, gourmet experiences which also honour sustainably sourced ingredients, look no further than Japan Airlines.
*The description of meals is correct at the time of publication.