10 Secrets of Airline Food

It's not your imagination, food really does taste different in the air than it does on the ground.

That's because both our senses of smell and taste are altered by sitting in a pressurized cabin filled with desert-like dry air. This leads to a remarkable reduction in our sensitivity to both sweet and salty foods, and it's a major reason why airline food is often overstuffed with salt.

The Emirates Flight Catering Facility in Dubai cranks out over 180,00 airline meals a day, making it the largest operation of its kind on the planet. It provides in-flight meals and support services to hundreds of airlines across the globe while employing over 10,000 people-including chefs familiar with nearly every cuisine on the planet.

Considering the somewhat dubious reputation of airline food, you might be tempted to think they cost a dime-a-dozen. You'd definitely be mistaken. According to industry insiders, the price of an economy cabin meal comes in closer to fast-casual than fast food, setting the airline back around $8 a plate.

While the portions aren't massive and there's often a salad slipped on your tray, that doesn't mean airline meals are healthy. To the contrary, the airlines load up their food with sugar and other additives that turn an average meal into an indulgent one while they try to combat the effects of altitude.

To make things worse, research has shown that when given a choice of meals, passengers inherently gravitate towards comfort food-partly out of boredom and partly to counteract fears of flying.

For those enamored by the in-flight eating experience, here's a secret: you might just be able to score seconds.

It's no guarantee, but if you ask nicely, some flight attendants will dish out an additional course. To increase your chance of nabbing one, sit near the back where you can be slipped a second meal without too many other passengers noticing-and requesting the same.

Just because you're riding in economy class, that doesn't mean you have to eat that way, as many airlines now offer the option to purchase a premium meal. Examples include Austrian Airlines' exclusive a la carte menu- created by an exclusive Vienna bistro-and the Gourmet Dining option from British Airways, which includes king prawns and Herefordshire beef cheeks with potato mousseline.

You've just sat down in first class and now you're about to enjoy one of the finest fringe benefits in the friendly skies: free bubbles. Pay attention though, because those bubbles might not really be champagne.

An airline has recently been busted for passing off simple sparkling wine as champagne, and while some may write off this deception as a case of "First Class Problems", it goes to illustrate that things aren't always what they seem when dining at 30,000 feet.

In-flight menu not to your liking? Then just bring on your own snacks. Naturally, your culinary cargo will have to meet the safety requirements, but there's nothing stopping you from bringing your own Tupperware full of ramen noodles and spices on board. Just request a little hot water from the steward or stewardess and you're in delicious business.

You don't have to be a vegetarian to order the veggie option. In fact, there are dozens of meals offered by airlines that cater to nearly all types of diets and creed-based exclusions. Try something different on your next flight by reserving one of these special meals in advance because you might just like what you try.

Our airline meals might just be contributing to jet lag. Yes, some research now suggests that eating on board can upset an internal "meal clock" in our body which in turn leads us to feel tired when we arrive. The solution? Fast before you fly and then snack on the plane around breakfast time in your destination city.