If you have been on a plane lately, you are familiar with the latest in-flight dining options. The air of luxury about air travel circa the 1960s has given way to passengers being left with the choice between a free soft drink and a bag of chips. The solution?

For Etihad Airways, the means of solving the problem was to hire more than one hundred chefs to provide world-class dining to passengers in Diamond First Class cabins and lounges on flights originating from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

While some international carriers have improved the quality of meals offered on long-haul flights, they are few and far in between. The reality is that most are left to brace themselves for what is on the other side of the thin layer of plastic separating us travelers from what unfortunately bears no resemblance to a meal.

According to a release, “Qualified First Class Chefs are not officially onboard Etihad Airways flights to London, Sydney, Melbourne and Paris, and will be progressively introduced across all other first class destinations by early 2012.”

Starting this week, offerings including prime cuts of meat, freshly chopped vegetables and fine wines will help dial air travel back to an era in which flying was stylish and exciting.

Etihad Airways is the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates and offers flights to popular international destinations around the world. To get the best deals on these unparalleled in-flight amenities and more, book a flight with Etihad Airways on CheapOair.

Photo courtesy of Etihad Airways