Passengers who inhabit premium cabins, particularly in first-class, on long-haul flights expect the inflight dining experience also to be first-class. They want to eat what they want when they want it and are increasingly bored with whatever celebrity chef is trotted out as the airline's ambassador.

Those who fly in the economy cabin have much lower expectations and inherently know that any mention of fine dining down their end of the plane is an oxymoron. Taiwan's China Airlines has scrubbed that discrimination from their long-haul flights by introducing 3-Star Michelin food to all three cabins, not just up at the pointy end.

No one misses out on the treats

Starting last Friday, China Airlines has partnered with Taiwan's only three-star Michelin restaurant, Le Palais, to launch its new Skyward 3-Stars Private Cuisine inflight catering menu.

Photo: China Airlines

While that is a reasonably noteworthy development, what catches the eye is that the exclusive Le Palais menu will be available to all passengers in Premium Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class on their long-haul flights departing Taiwan to Europe and North America.

Le Palais is the restaurant of the Palais de Chine Hotel in Taiwan and is the only restaurant in the country to have received three Michelin stars for five consecutive years. The airline aims to maximize its post-COVID recovery through this new menu offering using the signature dishes of Ken Chen, Taiwan's first Michelin-starred chef.

China Airlines resumed international services in March from its base in Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE), starting with its service to Rome's Fiumicino Airport (FCO). It has resumed services to all of its European destinations at pre-COVID levels and will launch a new route to Prague in the Czech Republic in July.

That will bring the total number of European and North American destinations served by direct flights from TPE to 11, with up to 60 flights per week. So there will be plenty of opportunities for travelers in all classes to savor the 3-Star cuisine on the China Airlines' Airbus A350s and Boeing 777s that usually operate these routes.

What can they expect?

In Premium Business there will be four Le Palais entrees, including Radish in Vinegar, Saliva Chicken, Lotus Root in Brine and Sugar Taro, which are surely delicious in spite of their labels. Main courses include Rice Noodles with Shredded Duck and Taro, a chef's special at Le Palais, and a baked Barbecue Pork Bun. Reading straight from the China Airlines announcement, the dessert choices include a Cantonese dish of Dried Bean Curd and Semen Coicis Sweet Soup.

Photo: China Airlines

Moving right along, in Premium Economy the main meal is Steamed Chicken and Rice in Lotus Leaf, while in Economy it is Clay Pot Chicken Rice with Scallion and Ginger. China Airlines President Kao Shing-Hwang said that maximizing customer satisfaction has always been the goal of the airline and that he "is looking forward to surprising travelers with this new catering experience."

China Airlines first introduced food partnerships in 1992, taking Taiwanese food and beverages worldwide to market the country. In 2012, it broke new ground with the introduction of Michelin-starred cuisine and is continuing that trend now with the Le Palais Skyward 3-Stars Private Cuisine in-flight menu.

What do you think of the new China Airlines Michelin menu? Let us know in the comment section.