Changes to Qantas Special Meals - 1 Oct 24

[Gremlin]

It looks like Qantas are changing their special meals. Quite a few changes to special meals that were previously nut-free, now including nuts. Also, the gluten free meal will now no longer be dairy free. Your meal can be EITHER GF or DF, but not both. Disappointing given the disproportionately high prevalence of DF amongst the coeliac community. But I'm sure it's going to help QF's race to the bottom (line).

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/onboard/inflight-dining/dietary-required-meals.html

 

[Cloud9]

And Fruit Platter is now a dietary category all of its own... What a time to be alive.

 

[Lynda2475]

And Fruit Platter is now a dietary category all of its own... What a time to be alive.

Despite the sarcasm this is useful for people who have multiple allergies so they can at least be sure allergens haven't been added.

Although funnily enough not suitable for me since they seem to use a plethora of cheap melon which I have a severe intolerance for.

I'm actually surprised how many options there are.

 

[justinbrett]

Why isn’t cheese plate a dietary option?

 

[Lynda2475]

Why isn’t cheese plate a dietary option?

Well those who order special meals generally still have option of also requesting suitable items from the standard menu if still available after those who didn't select a special meal have been served.

 

[justinbrett]

Well those who order special meals generally still have option of also requesting suitable items from the standard menu if still available after those who didn't select a special meal have been served.

I said in jest but it is usually an option on AA domestic F if preordering.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I know many airlines have a long list of special meals, but it’s been very common over the last 10 years or so to the served the lowest common denominator… order a lacto-ovo vegetarian and 99% of the time you end up with the vegan choice. Order Asian vegetarian and you get the vegan. Order low fat or low sugar and you guessed it… you get the vegan.

Complete with stale bread roll in a plastic packet and non-dairy spread.

On an SQ business class flight i ordered lacto-ovo and was given vegan, with just a banana for dessert. I asked for the ice cream and the CSM had to be called to discuss the request, the ‘dangers’ of the request, and give clearance to the FA to serve it!

So i’m not really sure how much of a difference all this juggling around is going to really make?

 

[Lynda2475]

If you look at the standard J menu on long haul, usually 3/4 starters are vegetarian and at least one vegan. Given special meals are an option for vegans I don't think any of the standard menu options should be wasted on a vegan option. I want a choice of animal proteins for starter and main.

The best thing QF could do is bring back the ability to pre-select meals, less wastage and less disappointment. This could also allow people to mix things up so a potentially a special dinner but normal breaky depending on their individual needs.

 

[Ade]

lowest common denominator…

Most food/catering/ and other bulk food prep establishments use this. This is to reduce wastage - in terms of cost, ingredients, labour among other things. I know someone from a meal prep service that caters to a few airlines and they are often told to make sure that the meals are planned in a such a way that - most pax can have that meal and it will satisfy most of the *minimum* dietary requirements.

So I understand that anything *vegetarian* on a flight is going to be the same or similar meal (with one item added/removed) to the baseline vego meal.

Sometimes, the side-veg component of a meat meal will be served as the main-veg component of a vego meal.

dessert

The area where most airlines skimp on special meals is the dessert bit. This get a bit tricky from what I'm told. Apparantly, desserts don't hold/freeze/stay fresh for longer than other savory meals, so there is going to be a compromise when it comes to having given a choice. Which is why QF, for a long time, use to give me an apple or an orange or a banana AND dried fruits in a packet AND sultanas along with my special meal. All this comes roped bag - to avoid contaminants.

But I have been able to ask nicely and get an ice cream or other desserts on offer - most of which are not *strictly* vego - as they have eggs in the dessert.

 

[Cloud9]

I suppose we should just be grateful Pumpkin Platter hasn't yet appeared...

 

[MelMel]

I don’t mind the change. I’m Coeliac with lactose intolerance but would rather take some Lacteeze and have a decent dessert as opposed to an apple or dried fruit.

 

[Cognac]

It looks like Qantas are changing their special meals. Quite a few changes to special meals that were previously nut-free, now including nuts. Also, the gluten free meal will now no longer be dairy free. Your meal can be EITHER GF or DF, but not both. Disappointing given the disproportionately high prevalence of DF amongst the coeliac community. But I'm sure it's going to help QF's race to the bottom (line).

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/onboard/inflight-dining/dietary-required-meals.html

It looks like the gluten-free meal is also dairy-free. From the press release: "Suitable for passengers requiring meals that do not contain ingredients or food items with gluten or dairy.* "

If you look at the standard J menu on long haul, usually 3/4 starters are vegetarian and at least one vegan. Given special meals are an option for vegans I don't think any of the standard menu options should be wasted on a vegan option. I want a choice of animal proteins for starter and main.

The best thing QF could do is bring back the ability to pre-select meals, less wastage and less disappointment. This could also allow people to mix things up so a potentially a special dinner but normal breaky depending on their individual needs.

As a vegetarian I also like having options. I recognise that I'm in the minority as a vegetarian, but saying "no, you can order a special meal, don't take up any of my menu space" seems a little much. And from experience, the special meals tend to not be anywhere near as good as the options on board, which is saying something for Qantas. Even moreso in J.

I agree though, restarting the option to pre-order would be a massive improvement for so many people. Especially us FFers.

 

[oz_mark]

Suitable for passengers requiring meals that do not contain ingredients or food items with gluten or dairy

Don't know about that

 

[Lynda2475]

As a vegetarian I also like having options.

But reducing it to 1 vegetarian option and 1 vegan woudl work too, given as a vegetarian you already have choice on the standard menu plus 3 options on the special meals.

Except I suggested removing the vegan not vegetarian option.

Right now in long haul J on standard menu there is 1 vegan, 2 vegetarian and 1 non-vegetarian option for starter.

The problem is if the 1 protein option is something you dont eat (i.e. for me salmon/tuna, but for others could be pork) then Im forced to have a vegetarian or vegan starter which would rarely be something Id choose.

By removing one of the two vegetarian options or the vegan option us non-vegos would have a proper 2nd choice ideally a both a meat/poultry and seafood option.

A vegetarian currently has a choice of 3 special meals (two types of vegetarian plus the vegan option) and 3 options on the standard menu vs one for someone who wants a complete protein.

I agree though, restarting the option to pre-order would be a massive improvement for so many people. Especially us FFers.

I despise it when on flights where limited options are loaded they run out of the only one you would eat before they get to you. Usually its the vegetarian meal or cold breakfast that is left-over while the good stuff beef/pork/lamb or if breaky the hot one with bacon is gone.

They really need to allow pre-ordering (at least for status passengers) or load more non-vego meals

 

[VPS]

It is still a nightmare for people with anaphylactic food allergies. I have no choice except to order the vegan food and they food is generally dire.

 

[Cloud9]

Controversial statement: vegans in the main probably less likely to fly frequently as a general rule given that a good number seem predisposed to thinking of planes as killing the planet.

I expect this one to be deleted. I simply caveat that with the fact that this seems to be where things have taken us: that speaking our minds on general (non-political) societal issues is considered offensive to so many.

 

[Cognac]

Don't know about that

View attachment 407381

Ah, I see. I missed the "From 1 October" bit. I assumed the descriptions were up to date.

 

[anz]

Have to say I am not happy about this change at all! As someone with both gluten and dairy allergies, I would always choose to fly with Qantas over other airlines because they offered the special GF+DF meal.

Often the lunch/dinner meals were just potatoes, chicken and vegetables anyway. You would think this is a simple dish to make both gluten and dairy free, even in a large kitchen.

Why can't Qantas serve a "minimal allergen meal" like Singapore Airline, which is free from gluten, egg, dairy, crustaceans, fish, soy, peanuts and tree nuts?

Unless they're slowly moving towards a 'Seat only' fare like Air New Zealand and will sell the meal as an add-on, I don't think I'll be flying with them internationally again anytime soon.

 

[JessicaTam]

Controversial statement: vegans in the main probably less likely to fly frequently as a general rule given that a good number seem predisposed to thinking of planes as killing the planet.
…

Can you provide any evidence for that?

 

[Electraglide]

I know many airlines have a long list of special meals, but it’s been very common over the last 10 years or so to the served the lowest common denominator… order a lacto-ovo vegetarian and 99% of the time you end up with the vegan choice. Order Asian vegetarian and you get the vegan. Order low fat or low sugar and you guessed it… you get the vegan.

Complete with stale bread roll in a plastic packet and non-dairy spread.

On an SQ business class flight i ordered lacto-ovo and was given vegan, with just a banana for dessert. I asked for the ice cream and the CSM had to be called to discuss the request, the ‘dangers’ of the request, and give clearance to the FA to serve it!

So i’m not really sure how much of a difference all this juggling around is going to really make?

The significant change here is that QF have unwound their previous cost cutting measure of bundling many flyers in the ‘vegan’ category. I am as excited about this backflip as I was angry when they made the original move.