Fancy foie gras, wagyu on grounded Boeing 777

TOKYO — Airline food might be one of the last things people are missing during the pandemic, but one Japanese carrier has customers flocking to sample luxury in-flight meals on its parked planes.

Foie gras, crabmeat mousse, and wagyu beef fillet are all on the menu aboard aircraft belonging to Japan’s All Nippon Airways — for a cool $540.

The airline launched its “restaurant with wings” for just a single day on Wednesday, but with demand proving sky-high, they are now planning to expand the offering.

The restaurant offered either first class or business class meals usually served on international flights, with “passengers” boarding a Boeing 777 at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport holding tickets designed to look like boarding passes.

Demand strong

The experience came complete with crew announcements, according to the company, with meals served in cabin seats, though seat belts were not required.

Demand appears strong, despite the prices—59,800 yen for first-class meals and 29,800 yen for a business class offering.

“The tickets for the restaurant sold out in a day,” a spokesperson told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Thursday, and the company now plans an additional 11 dates.

Virus measures

The airline said it could extend the service further if virus restrictions are not tightened.

The “restaurant” already observes virus measures, using only 60 seats on the plane to ensure customers can maintain some distance between them.