Medium and long-haul flights have two meals. Different meals are prepared for each pilot — i.e., if two pilots are on duty, four meals will be prepared for a medium or long-haul flight.”

Yes, most major airlines provide meals for their pilots, especially on long-haul and transoceanic flights, though the process is highly regulated for safety. On international flights, the pilot and co-pilot are typically served different meals (for example, one might have chicken while the other has beef) from different food batches. This is a "fail-safe" protocol to ensure that if one meal is contaminated or causes food poisoning, both pilots won't be incapacitated at the same time. On shorter domestic flights, some airlines provide a crew meal, while others expect pilots to buy food at the airport, for which they are compensated with a "per diem" (a daily cash allowance for food and expenses). Many pilots on long-haul routes receive the same "premium" food served in First or Business Class, though it is usually plated more simply for the cockpit. Interestingly, many pilots also prefer to pack their own "cooler bags" with healthier home-cooked meals to avoid the high-sodium content of standard airplane catering, but the airline’s provided meals remain a standard contractual benefit for those spending 8 to 15 hours in the air.