Serious Problems With On-Board Catering

[clifford]

I flew 8 EK sectors last month and on three of them, they had run out of my first choice of main meal.

I have been EK Gold for several years, and have not experienced this problem until this year. Must be cost cutting or something. But as a Gold, I threw a tanty and lo and behold my choice of meal arrived, once from business class.

So, do not be surprised if you don't get your choice of meal, and if you're not an elite EK flyer, too bad.

 

[codash1099]

I flew 8 EK sectors last month and on three of them, they had run out of my first choice of main meal.

I have been EK Gold for several years, and have not experienced this problem until this year. Must be cost cutting or something. But as a Gold, I threw a tanty and lo and behold my choice of meal arrived, once from business class.

So, do not be surprised if you don't get your choice of meal, and if you're not an elite EK flyer, too bad.

The Qantas disease spreads!

 

[mannej]

What class of travel are we talking about?

 

[samh004]

But as a Gold, I threw a tanty and lo and behold my choice of meal arrived, once from business class.

So, do not be surprised if you don't get your choice of meal, and if you're not an elite EK flyer, too bad.

That sounds a lot like what I've heard on UA flights where elites get first choice, regardless of how they got their seat, and those without status get what's left... would leave a bad taste in your mouth I think. At least that's what I recall, probably confusing airlines. All I remember is something about a steak.

 

[legroom]

I flew 8 EK sectors last month and on three of them, they had run out of my first choice of main meal.

I have been EK Gold for several years, and have not experienced this problem until this year. Must be cost cutting or something. But as a Gold, I threw a tanty and lo and behold my choice of meal arrived, once from business class.

So, do not be surprised if you don't get your choice of meal, and if you're not an elite EK flyer, too bad.

I assume you were in Y ".... my choice of meal arrived, once from business class....". [my bolding]

May I ask where in the table of EK benefits that show "guaranteed your meal preference while travelling in Y" ?

Once you had chosen to save some dough by travelling in Y, please take what is on offer.

It seems to be a DYKWIA moment to me, sorry.

You could ask for a replacement serving if your preferred meal is not available but to stress your "elite status" to achieve that, I would disagree.

What's next ?

I am Skywards GOLD, let me use the J loo ?

I am Skywards GOLD, free upgrade to an empty J seat ?

I am Skywards GOLD, you must give me 68 A/K no matter what ?

Anyway, I beg to differ.

 

[lovestotravel]

Being in Economy you should expect nothing

 

[elbarto]

Obviously this note at the bottom of the menu was missed.

 

[clifford]

Obviously this note at the bottom of the menu was missed.
View attachment 16245

I think I know all that.

But the point I am making, that everyone seems to have missed (you'd rather play the man than the ball), is that there has been a noticeable decline in EK's standards.

But of course, no one cares about that, so just poo stirring. Who among you is an elite, and do you care about service? I guess from your responses, not.

And that's why airlines can do it. Australian apathy.

 

[legroom]

.... Who among you is an elite, and do you care about service? I guess from your responses, not...

FYI, I am a SQ PPS (look that up, please), EK GOLD and after this June long weekend, will be a QF Platinum as well.

So, I do know and do care about premium services.

But I do not expect / demand airlines to do something they have not promised to do - status or not.

In fact, as Elbarto showed with his menu picture, meal choice unavailability is expected to be there on occasions - esp. in Y where you chose to park your gluteus maximus.

 

[elbarto]

My EK flights over the weekend I was offered my choice of options and served before the rest of the cabin. As this was my first EK flight, I thought this was pretty good service. But I generally have low expectations.

 

[clifford]

My EK flights over the weekend I was offered my choice of options and served before the rest of the cabin. As this was my first EK flight, I thought this was pretty good service. But I generally have low expectations.

Yes, when it's good it's good. I assume you flew on a 777 ex BNE. The cabin crew on the 777's tend to be more attentive as they're a more compact aircraft, and the crews are also generally more experienced (crews for the 380's were recruited in haste and not given the same thorough training - and it shows).

I've had that good service in Y you mentioned on a couple of occasions recently (as well as the bad service). My wife and I like to think we created it. She is an Australian magazine editor and suggested to EK they lift their game. They don't really like bad publicity.

And for those people above who suggested it's only economy so you shouldn't complain when you get cough service, I would remind them that EK's fares to Europe ex SYD are around the AUD 2,000 mark. It's easy to spout off on the internet, isn't it?

 

[mannej]

Seriously, it is economy. It is not feasible to cater one of each meal for everyone so no one misses out.
Is it bad service, no it isn't.
Can you guarantee everyone their choice of meal with the current system, not unless you change the system.
Honestly - it happens

 

[docjames]

Where in the Y cabin were you sitting?

Front , mid, or tail 1/3?

 

[Mal]

Where in the Y cabin were you sitting?

Front , mid, or tail 1/3?

Yeah, I'm puzzled. Unless right up the back, if they catered say 50% for each meal, everyone at least in the first half of economy should have their choice.

 

[chrisb]

It's entirely possible they don't even cater for 100% of people eating. Certain meal times would probably have low take up rates. The actual split of meals would be based on statistical averages.

I don't know what Ek serve but maybe the influx of Aussies is disturbing the statistical distribution? If this was the case you'd think they would respond fairly quickly.

 

[The Rok]

You fly Y, expect to cry! You fly J, expect to pay....

 

[chrisb]

You fly Y, expect to cry! You fly J, expect to pay....

I've missed out on meal choice in J. Unfortunately the only other choice had shellfish which I couldn't have so I ended up with a Y meal.

 

[BoyZeus]

We flew on EK406 yesterday at the back of Y. Once the cart got to us there were no longer any options. I simply smiled, asked for my preference and within a minute the FA had my preferred option on my tray. No status - nadda.

PS: how amazing are those A380s.

 

[chrisb]

We flew on EK406 yesterday at the back of Y. Once the cart got to us there were no longer any options. I simply smiled, asked for my preference and within a minute the FA had my preferred option on my tray. No status - nadda.

PS: how amazing are those A380s.

I've wondered in the past if the way they do it is once one choice gets low they stop detailing the options and start just giving food to people. If they object then the other option is made available.

 

[prozac]

I've wondered in the past if the way they do it is once one choice gets low they stop detailing the options and start just giving food to people. If they object then the other option is made available.

Agreed. Choice is a luxury.

Personally I would more agrieved about no longer having bacon on QF breakfasts!