Flight myth: Are special meal requests less fresh?

Years ago, a rumour began circulating that specialty inflight meals were significantly less-fresh than those on high rotation.

Food blog One Mile At A Time first reported the claim after US carrier American Airlines confirmed some of their non-standardised onboard offerings had a lengthy 12-month shelf life.

This means you could be tucking into a vegetarian meal a full year after it was first prepared.

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"Diabetic, Asian Vegetarian, Hindu, Muslim, Gluten Free, and Vegan meals will receive standardised and frozen pre-prepared meals, which will have a one year frozen shelf life," the author wrote, sending internet travel forums into a tailspin.

Though admittedly, there was no question of whether the food was safe to consume, many found the news hard to stomach.

The promise of tucking into that specialty veggo/vegan/gluten-free meal before the rest of the plane passengers, as is customary, suddenly lost its sheen.

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But do Aussie travellers get the same treatment?

9Honey spoke with Melbourne-based flight attendant Michelle, about whether the rumour applied to carriers here, and she had this to say.

"So the food that's served on my flight is usually pretty fresh. The salads and sandwiches are at least, they were made either the night before or just the day before," she said.

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However, the same couldn't be said for some of the other inflight grub.

"Any pre-packaged things like toasties croissants and muffins, they have come from a freezer," she revealed.

"How long they've been in there prior to that flight? I wouldn't have a clue."

Names have been changed.