Flight plan. (The Roving Eye).

WHETHER on the ground or at 35,000 feet, given a choice between seared Ahi tuna or airline lasagna most right-thinking people would choose the tuna.

Now local flyers have that choice. For a price.

Launched in June, Los Angeles-based SkyMeals is offering travelers with a taste for the finer things a menu with smoked fresh turkey breast, quail egg salad and stuffed portobello mushrooms--all packed especially for airplane flights. Prices start at $7.50 for a bowl of gazpacho and go to $36.75 for a "European branch" with fresh juice, fruit, prosciutto and a variety of cheeses and breads.

Started by partners Alan Levin and Richard Katz--who together own a piece of three minor league baseball teams and an Arena League football team--SkyMeals offers a full menu of items that can be served at room temperature or slightly chilled.

The idea popped up a few years ago when Katz and Levin spent an afternoon in Paris stocking up on French pastries, cheese and meats for the long ride home. "The reaction we got from everybody around us was quite startling," says Katz. "Given the state of airline food, we thought, there is a business here."

Katz won't reveal how much was spent to start SkyMeals, but he said there are plans to introduce the service into other U.S. markets within a year.

SkyMeals requires orders be placed 24 hours in advance and will deliver at home or business. Meals also can be picked up on the way to LAX at SkyMeals' kitchen on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice.

SkyMeals packs its meals in aluminum containers inside special corrugated boxes that come with ice packs to keep the food cool for up to 10 hours.

"When I'm traveling with my family... if we're on a long fight, I'm willing to spend that few extra bucks to get something good to eat," Katz says.