'Exquisite', ' impeccable' and 'dazzling' are not words often used when asked to describe airline food.

However, these are the descriptions used by luxury food magazine Saveur, when it revealed the carriers with the best in-flight options.

The magazine's second annual Culinary Travel Award winners were chosen by an expert panel of the editors as well as industry experts, travel writers, photographers and chefs.

The 2014 Best In-flight Dining Award was split into two categories - first and business, and economy.

Emirates scooped The Experts Choice award for the second year in a row, with Saveur's experts saying they were 'dazzled' by the quality of food and service enjoyed on the airline.

The panel wrote: 'Enjoying delicacies such as wild Iranian caviar with sour cream and blinis or lamb noisette with roasted seasonal vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes, award-winning chefs have created menus that are not only exquisite but also healthy.'

The airlines serves its seven-course meals on Royal Doulton fine bone china and guests are able to enjoy an extensive range of vintage wines.