I Spent $800 on a First-Class Meal — Full Review Inside

Flying First Class for the Food (Only): Is It Worth It?

I upgraded just to flex on the inflight meal... and this is what really went down.

The Fantasy Starts on TikTok

We’ve all seen the TikToks. Someone walks onto a first-class flight like they’re the main character in a travel movie. They get champagne before takeoff, a seat that looks like a tiny apartment, and then the meal comes. I’m talking steak, warm bread, and desserts that look like they came from a hotel brunch.

After my For You page hit me with one too many of those “look at my fancy sky food” clips, I gave in. I booked a one-way flight from LAX to JFK and dropped a ridiculous amount of money upgrading to first class.

Not for the seat. Not for the legroom. Just for the food.

This is what happened when I flew first class only for the inflight meal... and whether the bread roll was worth the bank drop.

Pre-Flight Vibes: Fancy Water and Free Almonds?

Walking into the first-class lounge already had me feeling like I was part of the cast of Succession. There was cold-pressed juice, lavender-scented hand towels, and someone offered me sparkling water like it was no big deal. I was shook.

But the real main character moment came when I boarded. Someone legit hung up my jacket for me. Meanwhile, economy passengers were doing the luggage overhead bin dance. I felt guilty... but not really.

The Meal Begins: Glassware and Vibes

About 45 minutes after takeoff, it started. The food wasn’t dropped off in a plastic tray like in economy. It was served course by course on real plates with legit cutlery. I had a cloth napkin. The bread basket came around. They gave me a choice of warm focaccia or sourdough, and I stared like I was choosing a tattoo.

Then came the appetizer. Mine was a citrus salad with burrata, and it was actually fire. The flavors were fresh. The cheese was creamy. I almost forgot I was 30,000 feet in the air.

Main Course: The "Elevated Airline Cuisine" Moment

I chose the grilled salmon with a sweet chili glaze, jasmine rice, and baby bok choy. It came out looking like something I’d post on my Instagram story with the sparkle filter.

Was it good? Yeah. Like, shockingly good. Not just “good for a plane,” but actually well-seasoned, moist, and had texture. The fish didn’t taste like it had been nuked in a microwave. The bok choy still had crunch. The rice wasn’t sad and sticky in a bad way.

And the drink pairings? They offered me a glass of actual wine with a flavor profile. Not just “red” or “white.” I didn’t even know what tannins were, but suddenly I cared.

Dessert: Where It Got Real

They rolled out a dessert cart. I repeat: A. Dessert. Cart.

Options included tiramisu, fruit, cheese and crackers, and ice cream with toppings. I picked tiramisu and got an espresso on the side because I was living my best airline sommelier fantasy.

Ten out of ten. Would fly again just for that dessert alone.

The Unexpected Extras

• Real cups. Not those plastic lids that always spill.
• Tablecloth. Yes, they put a mini tablecloth on my tray table. I was dining in the clouds.
• Zero turbulence stress. When the captain said buckle up, I was already horizontal in a lie-flat bed.

But... Was It Worth It?

Let’s talk numbers.

That upgrade cost me close to $800 more than the economy ticket. For one meal. One bougie, delicious, extra AF meal.

Would I do it again? Not unless someone else is paying.

The food was actually amazing. Not just good-for-a-plane amazing, but real-restaurant quality. The experience felt luxurious and weirdly calming. But if you're on a budget, this is not the flex to chase. You could have a five-course dinner at a rooftop restaurant for way less and still sleep in your own bed that night.

If you want the vibes, the content, and the bragging rights, sure. Book it once. Live the fantasy. But if you're looking for value? That sourdough roll better be gold-plated.

The Verdict: 7.5 out of 10 Sky Bites

First-class food is the best meal you’ll ever eat with turbulence. But is it $800 worth of delicious? That depends on how much you value a warm bread basket and a selfie with your tiramisu.

Stay hungry, stay curious, and stay flying high with Woke Waves Magazine — your go-to source for Gen Z travel drama and delicious hot takes.

#PlaneFood #FirstClassFlights #LuxuryTravel #FoodReview #WokeWaves

‍