Airline food gets a bad rep — and one man thinks this prejudice is unwarranted.

Speaking to Business Insider, Nik Loukas, the author of InflightFeed and veteran industry professional, said: "In the last five years, airlines are really trying hard to outdo each other with the kind of meals they’re offering."

Good or bad, the humble airline meal never fails to leave an impression with the traveller: "When people step off the plane at their destination they talk about two things: The crew and the food."

Loukas thinks it's the weirdness of eating a meal at 30,000 feet at a speed of 800kph that lodges in the memory. "It's not normal," he says.

The ex-Qantas Airways crew member travels over 180,000km each year in search of the latest in-flight meal options gracing the skies. He told us which five airlines do it best — scroll down to see them in no particular order.

Austrian Airlines — 'Hands down the best breakfast I’ve eaten on a plane.'

"Hands down the best breakfast I’ve eaten on a plane in a seriously long time." Says Loukas, though the meal was bought at an extra cost, "you can upgrade your in-flight meal for €15 (£13/$16) and receive quite a fantastic meal."

The meal won a 9.4 rating on InflightFeed.

Singapore Airlines — 'The in-flight meal options... even in economy class were fantastic.'

Loukas was travelling in Singapore Airline's famous Suite Class when he was this up. "I love Singapore Airlines, the service was amazing and the in-flight meal options in business, first, and even in economy class were fantastic."

He notes on InflightFeed that suites and first class passengers are greeted with Dom Perignon Vintage 2004 as a welcome drink.

Scandinavian Airlines — 'Like dining in a cool, Scandinavian restaurant.'

"Business class is like dining in a cool, Scandinavian restaurant, meal trays aren't used for the main meal service, and the second meal service is quite nice as you can pick and choose what you want from the buffet trolley that comes through the cabin."

In economy, though, Loukas noted on his site that some travellers might find the buy-on-board range relatively poor value.

Air Europa — 'Like eating from a farmers market, so fresh.'

"Probably the most amazing business class meal I've received in Europe. Just look at it, so amazing. Like eating from a farmers market, so fresh, and unique."

The meal received an overall rating of 9.2 on InflightFeed.

Turkish Airlines — ' Their meals are... some of the best in the world.'

"Turkish Airlines is amazing, their meals are very fresh, tasty and some of the best in the world in my opinion, including economy class," Loukas says.

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