MALTA MEAL: Is This the World’s Best Food On a Plane?
Travelers in KM Malta Airlines' business class are in for a special treat
The tiny Mediterranean island of Malta is a melting pot of cuisines and cultures, and it is fast becoming one of the hottest destinations in Europe. Many Americans who have not yet been to Malta have actually already seen it, thanks to Hollywood. Its scenic coastline provided the backdrop for Robert Altman’s 1980 movie version of Popeye, and a bastioned fort built by the Knights Hospitaller served as the backdrop for scenes in Troy starring Brad Pitt. Now they say mad Mel Gibson is, despite his age, eyeing Malta for a TV project about the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.
The star attraction of your flight to the Maltese capital, Valletta, on KM Malta Airlines is the meal they serve in business class. The relatively new airline provides service to Valletta from several European cities; my suggestion is to fly Virgin Atlantic to London or ITA Airways to Rome and from either take a flight on KM Malta Airlines. With a business class ticket you not only get priority boarding and sit up front with more room (the middle seats are kept unoccupied in business) but also lounge access — at London’s Heathrow airport, for example, the airline has an agreement with Gulf Air so you can relax in that airy lounge prior to your flight.
Speaking of things British, because (sigh) sometimes you have to, did you know that Queen Elizabeth II spent some her happiest moments in Malta? Tis true: prior to her accession to the throne, she and Prince Philip lived in Malta for several months at a time at Villa Guardamangia. (It’s not clear if she had any corgis with her at the time, although our preference is for Maltese!)
Anyway — once on board, you will experience some of the delightfully different cuisine for which Malta is justly famous — this will whet your appetite, so to speak, even before you land.
According to Visit Malta, the archipelago’s gastronomy was shaped by its history, with some customs going back centuries. Strategically positioned along important Mediterranean trade routes, the islands had to cater to the changing tastes of whoever happened to be in power. That infused food and dining with an international element from the earliest days.
The business class is served on an artfully arranged platter, with a variety of items such as my appetizer of grilled duck breast glazed with Teriyaki and sesame, with a small kimchi and vegetable Asian rice salad with sundried cherry tomato, feta crumbs and Thai dressing.
There’s also a balsamic and olive oil mix in petite replicas of the iconic Maltese ceramic "Żinġla" bowls, used traditionally for crafting the famous Maltese dough.
My main dish was a delicious “stuffat tac-canga”, a traditional Maltese beef stew redolent of knightly feasts of yore. The tender beef chunks were blended with local Mediterranean vegetables and accompanied by oven-baked potato wedges. The bowl was presented on a decorative Maltese tile.
Complementing all this was a trio of local goat cheeses, including pepper goat cheese, a chili-rubbed goat cheese and a white goat cheese, with a tangy date and citrus chutney. For dessert there were imquaret, or traditional date fritters: think Fig Newtons, but better.
The bar menu included Maltese wines but I opted for a Kinne soda, a Maltese bittersweet carbonated soft drink brewed from bitter oranges and aromatic herbs — crisp and delicious! Could this become Greek Column’s semi-official beverage of Summer 2025? (Remember, we are more than just Greece here!)
According to the airline’s website, “to incorporate local flavours, we use a variety of local herbs from the Mediterranean, as well as local olives and ġbejniet (a traditional Maltese cheese). We have formed partnerships with a handful of local farmers and producers who deliver fresh products to us. This ensures that we source high-quality ingredients and support the local community.”
This all adds up to something truly memorable, and that you can experience on no other airline. Now, take a minute and check out this video…
For more information or to book a flight, visit kmmaltairlines.com right now.
This is the most relevant travel column on the island of Malta I have yet to read.