Missing airplane food? FinnAir sells out of in-flight menu in supermarket ‘pilot sheme’ 

Thai Airways are among the other international airlines that have adopted similar schemes to create revenue during the pandemic

Credit: Sakchai Lalit /AP

Mr Sivonen said that as well as wanting to recapture the experience of flying, customers had also told him that they wanted to support their country’s national carrier.

"Finnair, like every airline, is in a bad situation right now, and that’s also why people are buying the products, to help Finnair," he said. 

He said that the recipes had been modified to remove the extra salt and spices put in to compensate for the loss of sense of taste is reduced by the dry air and cabin pressure.

Two main course options will be available each week from Monday to Sunday, with an additional starter sold only between Friday and Sunday.

The menu will change once a fortnight, with shoppers this week offered a choice of smoked carp and chanterelle risotto, or beef in teriyaki and radish sauce.

Mr Sivonen said that although the scheme was only an experiment, he expected it to continue.

"We think it’s not only for a short time. It’s not decided when we will stop selling it. We are starting right now and if it keeps selling, it’s probably going to stay."