The airplane meal in economy class generally includes a pack of pre-meal snacks such as peanuts, and the main meal is put on a plate and distributed to passengers by the flight attendants at one time. Generally, it includes appetizers or salads, with meat such as beef or chicken as the main dish, accompanied by rice, noodles or spaghetti, and cakes and other desserts. Some airlines even use ice cream as dessert. Coffee or tea will be served after meals.

First class and business class plane meals are more diverse than economy class, and peanuts are the snacks before meals. The first course and the main course are put on a plate like a restaurant, and the flight attendants take turns to serve them. In addition to western food, sushi may also be the first course. Some airlines offer soup, the main course is similar to that in restaurants, such as beef tenderloin, and more exquisite desserts, and coffee or tea is also provided after meals.

Cathay Pacific once served China old fire soup, clay pot rice, ginger juice, milk and other Chinese food in first class and business class.