Travel

Forget the pretzels. These Dallas-Fort Worth flights serve caviar, Chilean sea bass, ribs

An A380 landing at DFW International Airport in 2016.
An A380 landing at DFW International Airport in 2016. mfaulkner@star-telegram.com

Taking a long flight is the most dreaded part of a vacation. But Qatar Airways’ in-flight menu is proving to make its pricey $7,000 plane ticket for some flights worth it.

The airline, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of service out of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, hosted a tasting dinner with cameos of business class offerings. The menu’s newest addition is caviar as a standalone option or an addition to meals.

Qatar Airways has already begun offering the delicacy on 13 flight routes: between Doha and Boston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New York, Paris, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, and Washington.

“Everything in our menu is fresh, not frozen,” Mary-Jane Bonnaud, culinary development manager for Qatar Airways, says. “Every egg is cracked. We fly our salmon from Norway and our lobster from Maine.”

In Doha, 250,000 meals are prepared fresh daily for Qatar flights. Bonnaud assures that they strive to use the top-quality items, like USDA prime steak, fresh chicken, homemade pastas and croissants. Because of their spectacular on-board cuisine, Qatar has won best airline catering for 2024, and two consecutive years before.

The airline is also an eight-time winner of the Skytrax best airline award, including their recognition for 2024. They also have just won best business class for the fifth time in a row.

Qatar Airways signature welcome drink, mint and lime refreshment.
Qatar Airways signature welcome drink, mint and lime refreshment. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com

DFW and Qatar Airways flight offers

Qatar Airlines offers flights to its hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH), in Doha, Qatar. Its flights from DFW go out daily, serving around 750 passengers.

Round-trip flights are around $1,500 to $1,700. Business class can be up to $7,000. They offer economy and business class for non-stop flights to DOH, which is around 14 hours and 30 minutes.

Qatar Airways recently added the Airbus A350-1000 on select routes from DFW to DOH. This takes the business class to a whole new level, with a whole cubicle to yourself called the Q suite.

According to Craig Thomas, vice-president of sales Americas at Qatar Airways, “The Q suite is hands down the best product in the air. Yes, I’ve flown many, but it’s the best one I’ve ever flown.”

What’s on Qatar Airways business class menu?

All meals on Qatar Airways flights are “diner-on-demand,” meaning that guests can order their meals whenever they wish.

Buttermilk blueberry souffle pancakes, a breakfast option on Qatar Airways flights from DFW.
Buttermilk blueberry souffle pancakes, a breakfast option on Qatar Airways flights from DFW. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com
Turkey chorizo potato frittata, one of the business class breakfast options that guests can add caviar to on board Qatar flight from DFW.
Turkey chorizo potato frittata, one of the business class breakfast options that guests can add caviar to on board Qatar flight from DFW. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com

For breakfast, a few options they serve are:

  • Buttermilk blueberry souffle pancake with maple syrup, blueberry compote, lemon ricotta and hazelnut crumble.

  • Turkey chorizo, potato frittata with cherry tomatoes, grilled asparagus, paprika oil and chopped chives.

Zaffrani curry, a business class lunch option which guests can add caviar to on Qatar Airways flights from DFW.
Zaffrani curry, a business class lunch option which guests can add caviar to on Qatar Airways flights from DFW. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com

Lunch or dinner options are:

  • Malai Kofta with zaffrani curry, kadhai subzi, dal panchratna, onion pulao and cabbage leaf.

  • Seared Chilean seabass with piquillos olive, pine nuts and basil, Mediterranean-style vegetable mix (mini yukon potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, shallots, fennel, and green onions) and fresh basil.

  • Qatari chicken mashkool with mashkool rice, golden sultana, crispy fried onions and daqoos sauce.

Herb crusted seared ahi tuna, a cold appetizer option in business class on Qatar Airways flights out of DFW.
Herb crusted seared ahi tuna, a cold appetizer option in business class on Qatar Airways flights out of DFW. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com

Appetizers and light options:

  • Chorizo turkey hot dog grilled with chimichurri, smoked red relish, caramelized onions, and seasoned waffle fries.

  • Cold cuts: Balik salmon, cherry tomatoes, kalamata black olives, cornichon pickle, caperberry, lemon wedge, Kilchurn cheddar and deviled egg.

  • Boneless chicken buffalo wings.

  • Mozzarella sticks with spicy marinara sauce.

  • Herb crusted seared tuna with grilled scallops, edamame, and cherry tomatoes.

  • Broccolini and corn chowder with feta.

  • Shredded beef short rib with vermicelli noodle, beef pho, crispy fried onions, blanched cabbage, chili red spice, coriander leaf and sprig and lime wedge.

Qatar Airways economy class meals offer all fresh food, never frozen.
Qatar Airways economy class meals offer all fresh food, never frozen. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com

Economy class also receives “fresh not frozen” meals with appetizers, hot meals and dessert.

This story was originally published September 13, 2024 at 1:35 PM.

Ella Gonzales
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.
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