Qantas Business Class meals & menus

This week is all USA, YVR and SCL
These long routes are probably the least in need of a shortened service. I do quite like the current trayless service though. Despite the length of time needed to serve the dishes, it feels more restaurant-like then other carriers in J.
Again, there is no changes. Still 3 courses all served separately. Just the first two are on a tray. Tray is removed and dessert served straight away (no more trolley).
If I'm visualising this correctly, I'm thinking Neils salad, bread and the entree come on a tray, then the entree plate is taken away and main served on the same tray? Do my empty salad and bread plate stay around until the tray is cleared?

Oh well, I coincidentally have a flight next week where I should be able to experience this 'enhancement'. Will come back if there's anything significant to say about it.
 
Rumoured "J" will go to a single tray service rather than current course by course. Idea is to speed up meal service time.
I wouldn't be surprised if their #1 complaint was the sheer amount of time it takes them to do the meal service. I know they're only limited staff in the cabin, but my word can it be slow sometimes.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if their #1 complaint was the sheer amount of time it takes them to do the meal service. I know they're only limited staff in the cabin, but my word can it be slow sometimes.

The problem is not created by not using a tray for service though. Do like other airlines. Take orders on the ground before take-off is a start. Save the lengthy passenger chit chats for a more appropriate time. It's not that hard. Other airlines manage it without the need to resort to a tray!
 
Do like other airlines. Take orders on the ground before take-off is a start.
With the exception of trans-Tasman IME QF always do this already. On SYD - HNL/DFW/LAX/SIN/LHR (and vice versa) I've always ordered first meal and submitted the breakfast selection before take-off.

Reintroducing meal selection online could help more than trays; it would ensure they have enough of each item loaded.
 
QF98 MANILA-BRISBANE - J class

OK, it's a red-eye (2.00am departure, delayed 30 minutes due to "paperwork" problems), and I get it that they want to get the meal service done and kill the lights etc, but this was the un-stylish offering for late night supper as presented (no menu, just choose between seafood pasta or "the vegetarian dish"). No tray, no tablecloth, just plonked on the table.

And the breakfast (OK, they had to wake me). The muesli bowl was about 3/4 full so I had to ask for milk to soak it -- and a spoon! I declined the omelette on offer.

It didn't feel like international J class on a premium(?) carrier.

LateSupperQF98.jpg
BreakfastQF98.jpg
 
QF98 MANILA-BRISBANE - J class

OK, it's a red-eye (2.00am departure, delayed 30 minutes due to "paperwork" problems), and I get it that they want to get the meal service done and kill the lights etc, but this was the un-stylish offering for late night supper as presented (no menu, just choose between seafood pasta or "the vegetarian dish"). No tray, no tablecloth, just plonked on the table.

And the breakfast (OK, they had to wake me). The muesli bowl was about 3/4 full so I had to ask for milk to soak it -- and a spoon! I declined the omelette on offer.

It didn't feel like international J class on a premium(?) carrier.
And remember the new CEO says they are working on improving all their services. That's what you get for what - a $2K seat that you rent for about 8 hours. Such a joke. Travel on CX - they actually want passengers and it shows. QF are a disgrace.
 
Again, there is no changes. Still 3 courses all served separately. Just the first two are on a tray. Tray is removed and dessert served straight away (no more trolley).

Oh well, I coincidentally have a flight next week where I should be able to experience this 'enhancement'. Will come back if there's anything significant to say about it.
Alright QF7 had this change in place. Did not feel any faster at all. In fact you're still waiting over 30 mins after the entree is provided for the next step in the service.

I can see how the tray might speed things up in the beginning and put less strain on the cabin crew, but so far it hasn't sped up the entree and main delivery. Maybe it will in due course.

Without a tray is a marginally better experience as there's less clutter with dishes and cutlery.
  • Orders were taken at the start of the flight for entree and main.
  • Service cart came out, tray was provided which contained Neils famous salad and bread.
  • 11 mins later - Entree was then served on the tray.
  • 35 mins later - Service cart came round again, entree taken away and other plates left on tray.
  • 7 mins later - Main came out.
  • 22 mins later - Whole tray was taken away, desert order taken.
  • 2 mins later - Desert provided.
  • 25 mins later - Desert cleared.

IMG_2854.jpeg
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Didn’t the bread, butter and leaves formerly get served together on a plate? If so, what’s the benefit of plonking it on a large plastic tray versus on the plate?

Must save about 8 seconds to place the cutlery and glass on the table separately.
 
The only advantage of a tray I can envisage is the ability to move food off the table if for whatever reason you'd want to get out of your seat during meal service. Agreed that this is a massive downgrade of the J experience, and reduces the usable space on the table when eating
 
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I agree. Looks cheap. I would compare the tray to something from economy, but you don't even get that down the back.
 
QF98 MANILA-BRISBANE - J class

OK, it's a red-eye (2.00am departure, delayed 30 minutes due to "paperwork" problems), and I get it that they want to get the meal service done and kill the lights etc, but this was the un-stylish offering for late night supper as presented (no menu, just choose between seafood pasta or "the vegetarian dish"). No tray, no tablecloth, just plonked on the table.

And the breakfast (OK, they had to wake me). The muesli bowl was about 3/4 full so I had to ask for milk to soak it -- and a spoon! I declined the omelette on offer.

It didn't feel like international J class on a premium(?) carrier.
This is extraordinarily bad IMO….
 

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