Why airline pilots don’t eat the same meal — and never at the same time

A Rule of Safety, Not a Myth

The aviation myth of airline pilots not eating the same meal has been heard by many travelers. This is a safety issue with many airlines to reduce the risk of either pilot becoming ill with contaminated food while in flight.

Minimising the Risk of Food Poisoning

"Because if the captain and the first officer had the same food, and that food was contaminated, they could both come down with food poisoning at the same time. Even a mild illness could compromise their ability to safely operate the aircraft, so airlines often recommend alternative meal options.

Pilots also try not to eat together when possible. Meal breaks are staggered so that one pilot can focus fully on flying the aircraft while the other eats. This ensures continued cockpit attention and adds an additional layer of operational safety.

Crew Meals Specially Prepared

On many long-haul flights, pilots are served special crew meals prepared separately from the passengers' food. These meals are prepared to a high standard of food safety to reduce the risk of contamination.

Airline Policies May Differ

The rules are different for each airline. Some carriers have formal policies that require pilots to select different meals while others issue it as a recommended safety practice. The approach might be different from one airline to another and from one country to another depending on the aviation regulations in place.

“Food policy is just one of the many precautions taken in aviation. Airlines use strict cockpit protocols, regular medical exams, crew training and operational checklists to make sure passengers are safe on every flight.