Meal changes for QF catering

[kevrosmith]

Flew QF786 BNE-CNS tonight, 2 hour flight, "dinner" meal advertised for Y. Usually, it's a full-tray meal, with the usual fare - meat with rice or noodles etc, but tonight, we were served a heated gourmet Quiche, followed by drinks cart service. No tray, no water, no cutlery or salt/pepper and no chocolate, just a napkin and one of those folding tray covers that becomes a rubbish bag.

While the quiche itself was nice, I was surprised at this change in approach to providing a dinner service in Y. When I was chatting with the crew, I quizzed them about it and they suggested it might be a bit of a trial during the quiet holiday period, though suspected that it might last a bit longer than we (pax) might wish.

I think it's unfortunate if this is the direction QF catering is taking or is continuing down a road which some of us fear they have been on the last few years already. Of course, I'm sure they have to look at cost-efficiency measures, but it may be unfortunate timing, especially considering Virgin's rumored move toward full meal service.

Have others noticed any changes to meal services on their domestic flights in the new year?

 

[Flying Fox]

Personally I don't like the QF 'half-trays' that they are serving tortilla's & other snacks on.

Seems like catering is taking a turn for the worse.

 

[samh004]

There was another thread recently that mentioned a similar meal, basically put on over the low season of Christmas-New Year travel. While I'd expect that time period has passed, there was a post mentioning when it'd revert back to normal. Wish I could be of more help.

 

[Blackbird]

As samh mentioned, over the holiday period, pies were served on dom Y for dinner.
See this thread:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....r-program/qf-dom-y-dinner-enhanced-46075.html

As a longer term strategy, "enhancing" meals will just mean less QF customers.
Would fit with managements overall JQ strategy.

 

[RWJ777]

I have to say that I have not enjoyed base Y catering as much as when I had a chicken and leek 'footy pie' from BNE to SYD during the Christmas catering changes. It was really lovely! I'm so sick of the standard Y dinner and lunch fare, and enjoyed the pie which was tasty and lovely and hot. I devoured every morsel!

I admit this may be much a function of deprivation or curiosity -- I have not had a pie in a gazillion years so really enjoyed it.

So for me, it was indeed an enhancement!

 

[serfty]

Had that small quiche and a chocolate served for "lunch" on the 11:45am SYD-OOL flight Tuesday. It was OK, certainly better than the often dry sandwich I have experienced on prior occasions.

No way would it pass as dinner for me on a two hour evening flight.:thumbdown:

 

[UP4014]

As a longer term strategy, "enhancing" meals will just mean less QF customers.
Would fit with managements overall JQ strategy.

Yes but it doesn't translate into reduced customers, are you going to flying Virgin for a sambo by Luke rather than QF because they serve a pie?

If there were 6 airlines wanting your business it might be different but 2 offering the same makes little difference.

 

[The Rok]

All my PER-KTA and return flights for dinner service (2 hr flight) have been a quiche or tortilla for the past 9 months or so.

It's always been cough. Alcohol has always been paid for, only soft drinks free.

 

[Grooba]

Have to say I was quite disappointed yesterday on 525 after the announcement stating that lunch was to be served. Thinking of a nice tray, as per the OP description, I couldn't believe when a quiche + serviette was handed over. I'd have thought that would be served on sectors where a "snack" is offered, not "lunch". Looking back, I should have realized something was up when after the CSM announced "lunch" she also advised to "ask the FA if you would like a drink".

 

[simongr]

I thought lunch has been a pie or similar for some time?

 

[oz_mark]

I thought lunch has been a pie or similar for some time?

It has been my experience on various flights that lunch has been much as described here for some time. I've had pies, torillas, quiches etc.

 

[Dmac6345]

The last flight I had (SYD-MEL) last week in Y stated Dinner.
It certainly did not state Quiche with frozen centre...!!!! It just happened that i wasnt the only one.
Not Good !!

 

[UP4014]

Hmm, might be time to start being like the yanks, and getting on with a pizza box with a nice spicey Mexican to make the other passengers envious.

matt

 

[smit0847]

they're called 'enhancements'

 

[Happy Trails]

All my PER-KTA and return flights for dinner service (2 hr flight) have been a quiche or tortilla for the past 9 months or so.

That's not been my experience - had a normal meal service as recently as Monday this week, QF917. And on the way on the way up two weeks ago.
The offerings seem to have improved lately too.

 

[under the radar]

if i'm on a flight (ANY OZ DOMESTIC AIRLINE) around the 1-3hrs length at ANY time of the day/night, the food component is not a 'deal breaker' for me...ANY provided food is seen as 'nice to have/fill in time' thing for me...as whenever i get to my destination (home/hotel/friends), i'll be eating something more substantial IF required!!

 

[Dmac6345]

I totally agree. Thats what QF Club membership is for. Eat before / eat after etc.
Any flight on QF which travels over 2 meal times, will provide more than enough to eat.
I guess our issue is when they say a dinner service. Dont be providing a Quiche and a napkin.

 

[under the radar]

I totally agree. Thats what QF Club membership is for. Eat before / eat after etc.
Any flight on QF which travels over 2 meal times, will provide more than enough to eat.
I guess our issue is when they say a dinner service. Dont be providing a Quiche and a napkin.

that's the product of 'human conditioning'.. the words 'breakfast' 'lunch' 'dinner' and even 'refreshment' as well as 'the time of day/night', immediately condition our brains to expect a certain 'presentation/type of food' etc .... so if these 'expectations' aren't met...there will be disappointment!!!..could be in an airlines' best interest to scrap said words and replace with a more generic term (which i'm trying to find!!!)

 

[The Rok]

that's the product of 'human conditioning'.. the words 'breakfast' 'lunch' 'dinner' and even 'refreshment' as well as 'the time of day/night', immediately condition our brains to expect a certain 'presentation/type of food' etc .... so if these 'expectations' aren't met...there will be disappointment!!!..could be in an airlines' best interest to scrap said words and replace with a more generic term (which i'm trying to find!!!)

The word you are looking for is "fodder"

 

[Ewing]

The word you are looking for is "fodder"

I thought that's what's served in the lounges at the trough? :mrgreen: