If there's one thing we all know, it's that in-flight catering can be hit-or-miss, especially depending on the departure location.

On this flight, however, the catering was impressive. The economy menu offered two choices:

Noodles in Thick Sauce with Chicken
Baked Fish with Rice & Seasoned Vegetables

I chose the fish, and it turned out to be a great pick. The fish was tender, and the rice was perfectly steamed, complemented by a savory yet slightly sweet sauce that brought the dish together beautifully. It felt like a comforting, home-style meal—just what you’d want when traveling far from home.

The meal tray included an appetizer salad with tomatoes, onions, and some type of meat that was decent, a warm bread roll with butter, and a fantastic dessert—a sticky rice cake with coconut syrup, which was delicious and distinctly Thai.

The vegetables were fairly unremarkable, though I wasn't expecting much there.

Luckily, I also got to try the noodle dish, as my seatmate didn’t want theirs. The noodles were quite filling, though a bit bland since the casserole lacked variety. Still, it was a solid option if you’re simply looking to satisfy your hunger.

After the meal, the crew came around with coffee, tea, and a selection of fruit juices, including apple, orange, and tomato.

TAP Portugal review by Stan