Cathay Business class from NY to HK with terrible food and menu

[siri]

Last month travelling from Sydney via round the world One world business class after london we took NY to HK via Cathay and this is 15/16 hr flight and looking forward to some rest after hectic daughters wedding at Tuscany and to our surprise, menu was terrible and Prawn order was not given since its all taken and offer was a pie or a soup according to the menu... I asked how come you have soup and a pie as a main menu items on Business class? They apologised and told me to make a complain to Cathay in HK which I did and what a waste of 2 bookings (wife) and I told them no more Cathay for me for a long time.. I have taken the same flight before and this never happened and also drinks menu also very limited... My advise to readers are do not use Cathay Business class on this route.. So far no reply from Cathay..
Now that, they have lost my business.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Sounds like you were on the CX845, the 0135 departure from JFK? By the time you are in the air this would be ~2am and a 'supper' service is offered. Spicy prawns was one option, and also another couple of substantial mains. Lighter options such as the soup or pie are available for those wanitng a light bite before going to sleep. A full breakfast is then served a few hours before landing.

I agree it is a fairly simple menu. But probably appropriate for the flight timings (0135-0515). The other two flights have a much more substantial offering - two full meals. But still fairly simple.

The 835 is a long flight for not much food.

 

[Spongbob]

A fairer and simple enhancement perhaps?

 

[Limewood]

We did CX HKG/ JFK/HKG late last year in J, the seat was hard (worn), food ordinary and service not like it used to be.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A fairer and simple enhancement perhaps?

Perhaps.

But there aren't many airlines left that serve a full meal irrespective of departure time. Most of the Asian carriers, along with Qantas, BA, and the likes have gone to these reduced 'supper' services for either short TATLs or 'past-midnight' departures.

 

[levelnine]

But there aren't many airlines left that serve a full meal irrespective of departure time. Most of the Asian carriers, along with Qantas, BA, and the likes have gone to these reduced 'supper' services for either short TATLs or 'past-midnight' departures.

I reject this reason as a good reason for reducing catering on board.

Many travellers will be connecting from other flights where they may or may not have received an adequate meal on board (eg a Y pax connecting to a J flight). Many travellers will be seeking to adjust to a new time zone, which means they may be trying to have a substantial meal at a particular time. And even those passengers originating in the departure port may not have had time to eat in the lounge beforehand.

It is really about cost cutting on what are extremely expensive fares. Not good enough.

My suggestion? Shift as much of your business as possible to carriers with full dine on demand menus.

 

[RooFlyer]

If it was a post-midnight departure, I'd be annoyed if ANY seat-by-seat meal service was done. Yes, some may be coming from other time zones, but why wait till you are on the plane to eat? And there should be a 'snack/more on request' service, always, if you must.

Its past midnight! Ridiculous time to offer a full meal service to everyone.

 

[kpc]

If it was a post-midnight departure, I'd be annoyed if ANY seat-by-seat meal service was done. Yes, some may be coming from other time zones, but why wait till you are on the plane to eat? And there should be a 'snack/more on request' service, always, if you must.

Its past midnight! Ridiculous time to offer a full meal service to everyone.

I tend to agree. Recently I flew Sin-Syd on Sq J with a 0045 departure. I had already eaten in the lounge and wanted to sleep straight after take off....only to be woken 2.5 hrs prior to landing by the smell and noise of breakfast being served to other passengers. I asked for my "Book the Cook" lobster thermidor order for my breakfast.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I reject this reason as a good reason for reducing catering on board.

Many travellers will be connecting from other flights where they may or may not have received an adequate meal on board (eg a Y pax connecting to a J flight). Many travellers will be seeking to adjust to a new time zone, which means they may be trying to have a substantial meal at a particular time. And even those passengers originating in the departure port may not have had time to eat in the lounge beforehand.

It is really about cost cutting on what are extremely expensive fares. Not good enough.

My suggestion? Shift as much of your business as possible to carriers with full dine on demand menus.

But what is the alternative TPAC for full dine on demand at 2am in the morning?

On the CX example above the timings are 0135-0515. The substantial meal to 'adjust' is breakfast, which is served a couple hours before landing. (CX offers a full breakfast on this flight.)

For supper were soups, substantial salads, at least two hot main courses (prawns and chicken). The OP seems to indicate their preferred choice of prawns was not available.

I agree that flights departing in the 9pm window are a bit mean to be offering a sleeper service only.

 

[siri]

Sounds like you were on the CX845, the 0135 departure from JFK? By the time you are in the air this would be ~2am and a 'supper' service is offered. Spicy prawns was one option, and also another couple of substantial mains. Lighter options such as the soup or pie are available for those wanitng a light bite before going to sleep. A full breakfast is then served a few hours before landing.

I agree it is a fairly simple menu. But probably appropriate for the flight timings (0135-0515). The other two flights have a much more substantial offering - two full meals. But still fairly simple.

The 835 is a long flight for not much food.

My flight from NY-JFK was from 10 am to HK landing at 14.00 at HK.
CX841 New York (JFK) to Hong Kong
I have taken the same flight before and never had this kind of a issue.. Menu is definitely not a business class product.. period.
Other issue was breakfast was offered ( possibly HK time) and after that 7 hrs nothing... Now they lost my business and I was a Cathay fan and this kind of food was never offered in a long distance flight before.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My flight from NY-JFK was from 10 am to HK landing at 14.00 at HK.
CX841 New York (JFK) to Hong Kong
I have taken the same flight before and never had this kind of a issue.. Menu is definitely not a business class product.. period.
Other issue was breakfast was offered ( possibly HK time) and after that 7 hrs nothing... Now they lost my business and I was a Cathay fan and this kind of food was never offered in a long distance flight before.

The description of the shirmps/soup/pie matches the CX845. I wonder if there was a catering issue? The 841 should have a full breakfast and full dinner.

 

[jase05]

Really disappointing to hear about the catering. Haven’t flown CX long haul for a couple of years but fly several intra Asia flights with them every year and the food and service has always been top notch. Hopefully just a catering glitch that gets sorted out

 

[drron]

Yes CX service is declining.We do a short BKK-SIN flight often.Still get a lunch service.On our flight in June though only 1 starter and 1 main-both spicy so mrsdrron went without.Still managed to run out for the last row in J.

 

[ermen]

any midnight departure should be a sleeper service full stop.

lights out after takeoff.

nothing more annoying than having lights go on at 1am and the carts coming out... who eats at 1am local time (unless drunk)? maybe have a dine on demand service for those really wanting to eat.