Nespresso aboard QF - an idea.

[ChrisCunard]

As Virgin Australia are now offering an on-board espresso coffee service, I've had an idea as to how Qantas can quickly and easily counter this offer aboard their aircraft.

Qantas should talk with Nespresso (Nestlé Nespresso: The art of espresso, exclusive coffee machines, the Premium Blends, the accessories and our unique Club) to install a Nespresso machine on each aircraft and promote it as a Nespresso / Qantas offering.

Nespresso is well known and a very trendy brand (promoted by George Clooney for example), and really is a delicious coffee. At hotels, it comes in Nespresso branded cups so I am sure that Nespresso would be delighted to provide the machines & cups to Qantas given the brand exposure they will get by being aboard Qantas' fleet.

Anyone else think this has value? I emailed QF today with the idea - let's see if it happens

 

[djfuzz]

I agree that proper coffee on board would be wonderful, so it's a great suggestion if it is at all practical and viable.

Must admit that I always ignore Nespresso machines in favour of the real thing though. Might have to give it a try next time.

While they're at it, they may want to consider upping their offering in the lounges, as the current machines are far from comparable to a barista-made coffee. If Nespresso is as good as you say, maybe that's a more realistic opportunity for them to get a foot in (though I imagine QF's pretty locked up with Santos for the immediate future).

 

[milehighclub]

Nespresso may be good coffee - but it's not Australian, and given our great coffee culture in Australia, where Qantas can promote Australia brands and products, it can.

Qantas has just started a with a new coffee company - Vittoria Coffee - and they have even supplied cups as you mentioned (albeit for First Class only - nice red ones too!)

In business on the A380 Vittoria Coffee is also used when the machines are used, but there is also a new bodum coffee (but can't remember the name)

As for installing the machines - expensive when not installed factory fresh as you have to take the aircraft out of service, and find somewhere to put it.

Also, a Nespresso machine may only cost a few hundred for a home version. I can assure you an airline version would buy you a new car.

All that over coffee!? You'd be looking at hundreds of thousands spent for something I can't imagine would have any influence to get or retain passengers.

 

[ChrisCunard]

As for installing the machines - expensive when not installed factory fresh as you have to take the aircraft out of service, and find somewhere to put it.

I guess my thought of just buying the $400 machine and plugging it in was a bit basic! :shock:

 

[ftm]

I guess my thought of just buying the $400 machine and plugging it in was a bit basic! :shock:

It's a bit like shopping for a wedding. Mention the word 'aviation' and the price jumps significantly!

 

[djfuzz]

Qantas has just started a with a new coffee company - Vittoria Coffee - and they have even supplied cups as you mentioned (albeit for First Class only - nice red ones too!)

In business on the A380 Vittoria Coffee is also used when the machines are used, but there is also a new bodum coffee (but can't remember the name)

This is great news! A shame it's A380/F only. As far as cups go, I actually thought the Noritake ones were pretty good.

All that over coffee!? You'd be looking at hundreds of thousands spent for something I can't imagine would have any influence to get or retain passengers.

They'd underestimate the importance of good coffee at their peril.

 

[yohy?!]

Nespresso already provide machines to several airlines in F according to their website

 

[ozavanti]

I guess my thought of just buying the $400 machine and plugging it in was a bit basic! :shock:

Or one for $160 when it returned in my suitcase during a recent trip to the UK.... the best ideas are generally the simplest... surely that's what the in-seat power is for!!!!

 

[samiam]

All that over coffee!? You'd be looking at hundreds of thousands spent for something I can't imagine would have any influence to get or retain passengers.

That sort of statement seems very Qantas-esque, in my opinion.

I think this is where QF are dropping the ball compared with the competition...

... they 'can't imagine'.

 

[milehighclub]

Nespresso already provide machines to several airlines in F according to their website

And in an early A380 training manual, there must have been plans for Nespresso on the QF A380 as there was instructions on how to use it.

This is great news! A shame it's A380/F only. As far as cups go, I actually thought the Noritake ones were pretty good.

Sorry, forgot to clarify - it's just the little espresso cups (and are probably still made by Noritake, but branded with Vittoria Coffee). The Noritake ones are still their if you have a flat white etc

There is talk of a latte glass, but a few issues with OH&S

You'd be surprised at how much things costs on an aircraft or to get an aircraft version - I'm thinking about setting up my own business! I'd make a fortune!!!!!

 

[anat0l]

Nespresso may be good coffee - but it's not Australian, and given our great coffee culture in Australia, where Qantas can promote Australia brands and products, it can.

Qantas has just started a with a new coffee company - Vittoria Coffee - and they have even supplied cups as you mentioned (albeit for First Class only - nice red ones too!)

In business on the A380 Vittoria Coffee is also used when the machines are used, but there is also a new bodum coffee (but can't remember the name)

As for installing the machines - expensive when not installed factory fresh as you have to take the aircraft out of service, and find somewhere to put it.

Also, a Nespresso machine may only cost a few hundred for a home version. I can assure you an airline version would buy you a new car.

All that over coffee!? You'd be looking at hundreds of thousands spent for something I can't imagine would have any influence to get or retain passengers.

Whilst you make some good points (and Vittoria coffee - as well as Grinders Giancarlo - are both good brands), don't underestimate the value of a good cup of coffee. It is very much a spruiked benefit (look at VA! LX is another one which makes a big deal of its coffee), and whilst QF may not be able to retrofit existing aircraft initially or viably with these machines, later delivered aircraft should be considered. I do agree about the point of where to put it, however... (having seen the A380 galleys - for F it was easy because you're only serving 14 people, cf. J which has 72). Perhaps they could add it as an accessory or in the side of the J lounge (get a nice rear shot of FAs making coffee whilst chilling on the red settee ).

Also let's not get carried away about Qantas promoting Australian products (although Virgin Australia is not much holier-than-thou). For example, what about some good home-grown beauty products (albeit I have no problem with Payot). Why did we do away with Colette D for female F kits - they looked so good. Maintenance is one thing - but trying to showcase good homegrown products is a much smaller ask than where to do maintenance. I'd like to see and make sure that all the products at least on the F menu come from Australian suppliers (including the snacks). Of course, probably doesn't help that Australian produce is at an all-time high (in part due to some human blunders in the powers that be and the economics fields).


As a minimum, why can't all J Lounges (domestic, international and overseas ports) have espresso coffee with baristas all day (not just peak hours)? The coffee machine probably shouldn't cost hundreds of thousands, there is a place to put it, and employing a few baristas to work the machine probably shouldn't cost hundreds of thousands if that means not using the existing staff and whatever "skill" they apply to operating the machines as current.

 

[ChrisCunard]

As a minimum, why can't all J Lounges (domestic, international and overseas ports) have espresso coffee with baristas all day (not just peak hours)? The coffee machine probably shouldn't cost hundreds of thousands, there is a place to put it, and employing a few baristas to work the machine probably shouldn't cost hundreds of thousands if that means not using the existing staff and whatever "skill" they apply to operating the machines as current.

Absolutely agree, and would extended it to all QP!

 

[anat0l]

Absolutely agree, and would extended it to all QP!

Someone care to do a quick economic analysis on how much this might cost Qantas per year?

I don't know how much a commercial coffee machine costs.... then you add quality beans, milk, cleaning costs and possibly the cost of hiring a few qualified baristas (although if we translate that to the current model, the only thing to consider really is the capex for the new machine plus the opex (e.g. electricity, replacing parts, etc.)).

 

[elbarto]

I guess my thought of just buying the $400 machine and plugging it in was a bit basic! :shock:

Unfortunately so. Everything that gets used in an AC needs to be certified by authorities before it can be installed. The last thing anyone wants is an unsafe machine that can cause harm to crew and passengers. I believe NZ has had to go through quite a bit of work to their induction cookers certified for use on their new 77Ws

As a minimum, why can't all J Lounges (domestic, international and overseas ports) have espresso coffee with baristas all day (not just peak hours)? The coffee machine probably shouldn't cost hundreds of thousands, there is a place to put it, and employing a few baristas to work the machine probably shouldn't cost hundreds of thousands if that means not using the existing staff and whatever "skill" they apply to operating the machines as current.

The coffee that comes out of those machines is terrible. I always think after I've made one that I should have just gone for the stuff from the filtered coffee pot because you know it's had time to turn into toxic waste. So a barista all day would be nice, surely some of the bar staff can be easily trained to make coffee properly from a machine.

 

[The Rok]

The way QF are heading they are likely to be asking passengers to bring their own coffee on board to save money.

 

[milehighclub]

The way QF are heading they are likely to be asking passengers to bring their own coffee on board to save money.

Well you won't have to worry about that!! Your not allowed to bring hot beverages onboard QF flights

 

[Misha]

I like the fact that you are thinking outside of the square - something that QF needs to do...

However (sorry going to be all negative now) nespresso coffee is okay in a small office but I wouldn't want it if I had paid for an F ticket... it's passable - but I wouldn't even have one at home - I still prefer to fork out time and money to walk to the local cafe on Errol Street to get a decent drop...

I'd personally want to see a chocolate fondue fountain on board

 

[The Rok]

Well you won't have to worry about that!! Your not allowed to bring hot beverages onboard QF flights

Perhaps we bring our own coffee and QF chuck it in the microwave?

 

[milehighclub]

Perhaps we bring our own coffee and QF chuck it in the microwave?

Haha, you'll have to have it cold! We don't have those either (though that is one item I would love to have onboard! You ever tried cooking scrambled eggs in an oven - not fun!)

 

[samiam]

I'd personally want to see a chocolate fondue fountain on board

And the crew on roller-skates with marshmallows on skewers?