Frequent flyers will have noticed some changes in airline food over the past couple years. In economy, the meal has often shrivelled or disappeared altogether. But for those who turn left when getting on planes, in-flight meals in business and first class have got better as airlines enlist the help of celebrity chefs and try to recreate a restaurant experience in the sky.

Carol Conway, food innovation manager at British Airways, says the airline is working with leading British chefs including Shaun Hill of the Walnut Tree Inn, Michel Roux of Waterside Inn at Bray and Vineet Bhatia from Rasoi in London’s Sloane Square. She says the current trend is British classics – such as shepherd’s pie and afternoon tea with strawberries and cream.