Pricey, Gourmet In-Flight Meals

While the rest of us poor mopes are forking out $10 for an in-flight boxed lunch with soggy sandwich and a few carrot sticks, the wealthy are now enjoying entrées from some of the world's most famous restaurants while jetting around Europe.

NetJets, a company which specializes in "fractional ownership" of jets for individuals and companies, has inked a handful of deals with some of the best restaurants on this planet to provide catered food on their flights.

Thinking of jetting from London to Barcelona? Just peruse the online menu featuring items from Ubon, the Four Seasons Hotel, Yayatcha, Vama, or other culinary heavy hitters and your boxed meal will not only be waiting for you when you board, but heated up and tasting just like it does in the exclusive restaurant from whence it came--or so I'm told.

But, it doesn't come cheap. Lunch from Ubon, for example, runs up to 140 euros. And, of course, it's only available on NetJets where, if you have to ask how much, you can't afford it.

There are ways to land yourself a tasty gourmet meal on a commercial airline as well. If you happen to be staying at the Bulgari Hotel in Milan, for example, their acclaimed chef will whip up a scrumptious lobster salad with caviar, prawns, and lemongrass to go for just 80 euros. I'm sorry, but if you sit next to me and my bag of peanuts on United Airlines with such a meal, I just might have to beat you with the seatback tray and steal your food.

Filed under: Food and Drink, Airlines