Grey scrambled eggs, soggy cheese rolls and coffee that could double as aviation fuel ... while 63 per cent of airline passengers still expect a hot meal, in-flight cuisine has long been a sorry excuse for food. But last week My Travel announced with much fanfare its plan to 'emulate contemporary high-street dining' with a new range of trayless meals. They will include British staples such as sausages and mash, cottage pie and, next summer, fish and chips. The plastic tray is replaced with a rolled placemat containing cutlery, condiments and cold snacks and a tidy bag into which all rubbish can be placed, leaving your table clutter (and tray) free.

So what does it taste like? The farmhouse cottage pie is not quite the home-cooked delight the bumph claims, but is well balanced and tasty. Sausages and mash with peas come in generous portions and would not look out of place in your average gastro-pub. The fish and chips, however, are rather limp. Puddings are rich - chocolate pots, strawberry cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding - and coffee is by Kenco. It's not so much haute as just high-altitude cuisine, but it's not bad. And there's not a soggy cheese roll in sight.