If you’ve ever been disappointed by the simple snack options on a long-haul flight, you might wish to travel back half a century to the golden age of gourmet airline dining.
In today’s world, where air travel has become a common and convenient mode of transport, passengers have grown accustomed to quick and simple meals on flights, whether for short or long routes. Airlines compete with each other for service quality, including in-flight meals, but perhaps they still lack the “luxury” seen half a century ago.
Few people know that between the 1950s and 1980s, the Norwegian airline Scandinavian Airlines served lavish meals featuring lobster, shark fin, salmon, fresh fruits, and fine wine…
Old images of dishes served on Scandinavian Airlines flights astonish viewers with their unexpected level of opulence.
The photo shows customers eagerly waiting to be served from the cabin center, with luxurious dishes like whole lobster, chicken, and lamb.
Passengers being served Iberico ham – one of the most expensive dishes in the world.
A flight attendant is sprinkling pepper for a customer while a server is dishing out salad.
In-flight meals that are completely different from today.
A passenger being served fresh Norwegian lobster.
A couple choosing between meat or lobster on their plate in the 1950s.
A chef serving food from a trolley.
This is truly considered the golden age of aviation.
First-class cabin image from 1969.
This photo from the 1980s shows that caviar was still on the menu in first class alongside fresh seafood, including shrimp and salmon.
An extremely expensive prosciutto dish.
Another view of the food trolley on a flight in 1969, showing a crew member filleting salmon while another presents a plate of Italian sausage with crusty bread.
Passengers waiting to be served a plate of lobster and caviar.
On a flight to Asia in the 1960s, a flight attendant offers a very cheerful-looking traveler some snacks while her colleagues are pouring drinks in the background.
Lobster was frequently featured on Scandinavian Airlines’ menu. These photos, taken in 1981, show dishes served in the business class cabin.
