Qantas Business Class meals & menus

[Berlin]

AKL - SYD QF140

Omelette with tomato chutney. Was ok. Trans-tasman J in a 737 does feel identical to domestic J, no pillows/blankets/paper menus.

Is that really related to the aircraft type? I was led to believe that it’s rather Qantas’ post Covid stinginess and the same sad affair on the A330s as well or am I wrong?

Prior to Covid it did not matter at all- you used to get paper menus and all that on either of the different aircraft (way inferior seat on the 737s of course).

Just to clarify: I have no clue about pillows and blankets as I would never need them on a short trans-Tasman (or any flight below 8 or 9 hours, for that matter).

 

[rcn]

Is that really related to the aircraft type? I was led to believe that it’s rather Qantas’ post Covid stinginess and the same sad affair on the A330s as well or am I wrong?

Prior to Covid it did not matter at all- you used to get paper menus and all that on either of the different aircraft (way inferior seat on the 737s of course).

Just to clarify: I have no clue about pillows and blankets as I would never need them on a short trans-Tasman (or any flight below 8 or 9 hours, for that matter).

Yes you're right, service is not aircraft specific, what i meant to say was that it feels the same as a domestic route given that its on a 737.

 

[Port Power]

What a cough QF F menu. Both food and drink. QR J is miles ahead of that.

J doesn’t serve Tattinger. Nor Woodlands Chardonnay (although a top chardy, I agree not exactly “First”. Where’s the Cullen Wines “Kevin Cullen” Chardonnay? Dandelion Riesling is excellent.

 

[kermatu]

BNE-CNS 20:05 flight. Dinner options chicken in Parmesan sauce, or prosciutto and rice salad with pickled veggies and toasted almonds.


Have had the chicken a bit too often so was quite happy the salad was on offer. Absolutely delicious with good combinations of salty, sour and sweet tastes. Also a generous serve.

Lengthy delay on the ground so water bottles eventually handed out. Krystal the excellent CSM took my dinner order and those of a couple of others pre-departure. When the service started we were served from the galley first, then she brought the cart through for drinks and to serve the other pax as per usual. Person next to me in 1A was only offered the chicken.

Regular wine and whiskey top-ups through the flight from CSM and other crew. Very good flight.

 

[RooFlyer]

Omelette with tomato chutney. Was ok. Trans-tasman J in a 737 does feel identical to domestic J, no pillows/blankets/paper menus.

That looks OK!

 

[JasonK]

BNE-CNS 20:05 flight. Dinner options chicken in Parmesan sauce, or prosciutto and rice salad with pickled veggies and toasted almonds.

Noticed this was served on a plate rather than the usual casserole dish?

 

[RealtimeY]

The salads are usually served on plates

 

[JasonK]

The salads are usually served on plates

Ahhh OK thanks...probably shows that I rarely order the salads

 

[encryptededdy]

Today's QF126 AKL to BNE's Beef Brisket

and Today's QF561 BNE to SYD with the classic Qantas chicken. Other option was the prosciutto but I had that last time and it was too salty.

Once again I find Qantas' catering on sub-2 hour flights to be good (for a short flight), but trans-Tasman and trains-continental to be lacking. I've had better food in AirNZ trans tasman premium economy.

 

[Quickstatus]

I don’t understand the use of the less than usual soft drink can sizes. Is it that much cheaper? Gimme a full 370ml can any day.

 

[ole nimeton]

I don’t understand the use of the less than usual soft drink can sizes. Is it that much cheaper? Gimme a full 370ml can any day.

Maybe it fits the aircraft equipment/storage better? Then again, I think you can purchase normal sized cans on JetStar…

 

[Quickstatus]

Maybe it fits

They are the same height

 

[Berlin]

I don’t understand the use of the less than usual soft drink can sizes. Is it that much cheaper? Gimme a full 370ml can any day.

Stinginess- what else: A rack of 48x tiny cans will be sold for less than a rack of 48x normal cans (even the cost difference to the manufacturer will be tiny but margins matter).

And in practice- some people don’t really want more, and others still are just too shy/polite to ask. Win win, lower cost, profits up. Really the same as with many of the topics we’re pondering on here.

 

[Port Power]

Stinginess- what else: A rack of 48x tiny cans will be sold for less than a rack of 48x normal cans (even the cost difference to the manufacturer will be tiny but margins matter).

And in practice- some people don’t really want more, and others still are just too shy/polite to ask. Win win, lower cost, profits up. Really the same as with many of the topics we’re pondering on here.

I don’t understand the use of the less than usual soft drink can sizes. Is it that much cheaper? Gimme a full 370ml can any day.

I thought it is because they are a single-serve size just right for mixing with spirits. Yes, people can easily ask for a second can if they want more.

 

[smckay]

BNE-CNS 20:05 flight. Dinner options chicken in Parmesan sauce, or prosciutto and rice salad with pickled veggies and toasted almonds.

Have had the chicken a bit too often so was quite happy the salad was on offer. Absolutely delicious with good combinations of salty, sour and sweet tastes. Also a generous serve.

I'll second that. Had it on Monday BNE-SYD 19:10 and it was a good meal, not heavy. The prosciutto was a bit like leather but. The mustard vinaigrette was spot on.

 

[smckay]

1 August, QF 126 AKL-BNE.
Options of beef lasagne or pork fillet. As I had overloaded on cheese in the lounge I went the pork.
Smallish portion, but tender and juicy. Pepper sauce was on the low end of the pepper scale, but probs aimed at the non-pepper-loving diner. The greens were still firm and fresh, not like I thought they would be after X hours sitting.
The dessert was some evil looking raspberry cake thing which was returned to sender.

 

[mad_atta]

2 August, QF148 AKL-SYD

A tiny thimbleful of barely chilled Jacquart as a PDB (I'd had one tiny sip when this was taken). I got the impression they were eking out one bottle for the full A330 biz cabin, as they were in a hurry to clear away glasses and there was no sign of it on the trolley... though I didn't ask for more so that may be unfair.

Dinner service was dismal. I chose (perhaps poorly) the butter chicken (other main course option was apparently braised beef on mash), and it was sub-Y level food. (I remember MUCH nicer chicken curries in Y making quite a regular appearance on QF domestic about 4 or 5 years ago, whereas this was flavourless and joyless in the extreme.) Plus the inevitable cake in a box (an overly sugary choc/ginger thing) and Lindt ball.

Wine was the Forest Hill riesling which was passable. At least plenty of refils of that were offered.

Overall impression was basic, budget, minimum effort. Felt no better than a SYD-MEL A330 flight, other than the thimble of champagne. AirNZ's food is definitely worse than it used to be but it feels a LOT more like a real business class meal, even shorthaul. Would it kill them to offer some kind of appetiser? Even Neil's signature leaves would have been welcome . Or a real dessert, rather than a cake in a box for a dinner time flight.

Even UA's Premium Plus (ie PE) food on the EWR-LAX transcon was nicer and felt more premium than this (though the drinks definitely didn't, lol).

As others have noted, also no pillows, which I find quite uncomfortable on the A330. All up, wished I'd saved my points.

QF short-haul biz is sad these days. Hoping for much better things on SYD-LAX later this month.

 

[Port Power]

2 August, QF148 AKL-SYD

A tiny thimbleful of barely chilled Jacquart as a PDB (I'd had one tiny sip when this was taken). I got the impression they were eking out one bottle for the full A330 biz cabin, as they were in a hurry to clear away glasses and there was no sign of it on the trolley... though I didn't ask for more so that may be unfair.

Dinner service was dismal. I chose (perhaps poorly) the butter chicken (other main course option was apparently braised beef on mash), and it was sub-Y level food. (I remember MUCH nicer chicken curries in Y making quite a regular appearance on QF domestic about 4 or 5 years ago, whereas this was flavourless and joyless in the extreme.) Plus the inevitable cake in a box (an overly sugary choc/ginger thing) and Lindt ball.

Wine was the Forest Hill riesling which was passable. At least plenty of refils of that were offered.

Overall impression was basic, budget, minimum effort. Felt no better than a SYD-MEL A330 flight, other than the thimble of champagne. AirNZ's food is definitely worse than it used to be but it feels a LOT more like a real business class meal, even shorthaul. Would it kill them to offer some kind of appetiser? Even Neil's signature leaves would have been welcome . Or a real dessert, rather than a cake in a box for a dinner time flight.

Even UA's Premium Plus (ie PE) food on the EWR-LAX transcon was nicer and felt more premium than this (though the drinks definitely didn't, lol).

As others have noted, also no pillows, which I find quite uncomfortable on the A330. All up, wished I'd saved my points.

QF short-haul biz is sad these days. Hoping for much better things on SYD-LAX later this month.

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That’s no better than my MEL-PER in an A330 last night, except for the Champagne. Butter chicken and beef and mash were the two hot mains, but there was also a chickpea and buffalo mozzarella salad (plus beetroot) that was absolutely delicious. I’ll add my photos later today.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

2 August, QF148 AKL-SYD



Dinner service was dismal. I chose (perhaps poorly) the butter chicken (other main course option was apparently braised beef on mash), and it was sub-Y level food. (I remember MUCH nicer chicken curries in Y making quite a regular appearance on QF domestic about 4 or 5 years ago, whereas this was flavourless and joyless in the extreme.) Plus the inevitable cake in a box (an overly sugary choc/ginger thing) and Lindt ball.

For what it’s worth that looks like a substantial upgrade to the gruel in a box (apparently chilli con carne) that I was served recently on SYD-WLG in Y. I‘d post a photo here if it wasn’t considered off topic as it’s a Y meal or risk being kicked off by the mods for posting offensive material!

 

[smckay]

2 August, QF148 AKL-SYD

Dinner service was dismal. I chose (perhaps poorly) the butter chicken (other main course option was apparently braised beef on mash), and it was sub-Y level food. (I remember MUCH nicer chicken curries in Y making quite a regular appearance on QF domestic about 4 or 5 years ago, whereas this was flavourless and joyless in the extreme.) Plus the inevitable cake in a box (an overly sugary choc/ginger thing) and Lindt ball.

The beef cheeks are the better option. Quite a tender cut but hit and miss on the mash. It can be mush (no, that's not the NZ accent )
And agree totally on the rest of the comments. If not for SC I'd save my funds and go the cheap seats.