So, a detailed report of Auckland to Sydney on the 787. Experience much the same as posted up thread.
We were boarded very early. Priority boarding worked well. Menu was at the seat. Pillow provided but no blanket.
Pre-departure drink offered. I drank mine slowly, but did not see any evidence of top ups or additional drinks offered, despite being on the ground for a good 45 minutes. The IFE was on, but had not been started / nothing could be selected. When I queried the crew, the nice FA said she was new to the aircraft and would check. A few minutes later it was switched on. Most of the time on the ground the crew were chatting, no attempt to take meal orders or hand out landing card etc.
After takeoff the CSM and cabin manager wandered around a bit and stopped at my seat and were looking at / commenting on the windows. Eventually explained they too were only on their second flight on the 787 and still figuring out how things (like the windows) worked. The CSM asked my view on the aircraft and I gave him a few thoughts - including that I did not like the windows been blocked by the crew, the IFE a bit slow but that everything else was pretty good.
A few minutes later he returned to hand out arrival cards. At this point he thanked me for my loyalty, acknowledged my status and was I thought quite genuine in his remarks. Nicely done.
As he was leaving he indicated that drinks and nuts would be around shortly. A few minutes later with no sign of action I waved down the cabin manager and she confirmed drinks would only be served with the lunch. However she was happy to get me something in advance which arrived a few minutes later.
About five minutes later the meal service started – – so fairly quickly, maybe about 20 minutes after takeoff. Here is the menu:
So same items as I have had frequently now on trans-Tasman and trans-con flights, but as noted by others above somewhat truncated.
Meals were served on a tray and from the trolley which was manned by two crew members, so at any given moment two passengers were being served. As the tray was being set up I was asked what starter I would like. Had the pate yet again, and asked for a small soup as well. They were happily provided.
Not great presentation, but Fundamentally nothing too different other than the tray.
Crew went on their way I finished my two starters and then waited about 15 minutes before the trolley came back up (I was in seat 1A) and top ups of water and wine were offered. I did not see any other crewmembers during that time.
The trolley then went back down the aisle so the crew could clear away starters, with a comment that the mains would arrive shortly. At least 20 minutes later the re-stocked trolley came down and mains were provided with the order taken on the spot.
I went for the lamb pie again. I had easily finished my meal before the trolleys returned to clear things away.
Cheese or ice cream served a bit later. Also from the trolley. Didn't time it but my reckoning is this was served about 75 minutes after I was served the starter.
Not the usual good NZ cheese.
While the crew were good the service was just ridiculously slow and inefficient. Really poorly designed. While I occasionally feel rushed between starter and main on the A330, it's definitely superior to this. I also suspect pax at the back will have limited choices of the food by the time they are served.
Flight departure and arrival time suited - including having the EK lounge open in AKL - but I'll be avoiding this service in future.
