Qantas First Class menus

[I love to travel]

These last few posts are really embarrassing for QF. They really have fallen so far.

 

[DC3]

And for those playing along at home the bubbles in Business back then were Billecart Salmon Brut or Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I was just browsing a QF First class wine list from around 2011 when they were still serving Tattinger Comtes 1999 & 2000 and the 2004 Rose. I believe 2013 they also served Pol Roger Winston Churchill and/or Veuve La Grande Dame. Back then they had actual wine growers on the selection panel. I can see they allegedly served the following wines:

2005 Bannockburn Serre Pinot Noir
2006 & 2009 Clonakilla SV
2007 & 2009 Cullen Diana Madeline
2008 Freycinet Vineyard Pinot Noir
2005 Grant Burge Meshach Shiraz
2009 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling
2004 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cab Sav, Chardonnay & Sav Blanc
2007 Mount Langi Ghiran, Langhi Shiraz
2006 Mount Mary Quintet and Pinot Noir!!
2004 & 2007 Penfolds Bin 707
2006 & 2008 Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay
2004, 2005 & 2008 Penfolds RWT
in later years they also served Penfolds Bin 389 (2010)
2004 & 2007 Penfolds St Henri
2007 Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay
2007 SC Pannell Nebbiolo
2005 SC Pannell Shiraz Grenache
2008 Ten Minutes By Tractor McCutcheon and Wallis Vineyard Chardonnay's
2005 Torbreck The Struie
2005 Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon
2009 William Downie Mornington Pinot Noir
2007 Woodlands Nicholas Cab Sav
2008 & 2009 Yabby Lake Pinot Noir
2008 Yabby Lake Single Block 6 Chardonnay
2003 & 2004 Yarra Yering Dry Red No 1

And just browsing the list of Business Class wines they were certainly a bit more adventurous and premium with some Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Malbec's all mixed in with the usual Shiraz, Cab Sav and Chardonnay's.

And for those playing along at home the bubbles in Business back then were Billecart Salmon Brut or Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV.

Why does QF do so poorly in representing austwines and presenting good wines in F and J, Compare that with EK’s investment in fine wines,

Emirates unveils world class wine list for 2024

Emirates introduces a new array of exceptional wines onboard global flights this month. Emirates boasts the most extensive wine cellar of any airline.

www.emirates.com

 

[DC3]

Why does QF do so poorly in representing austwines and presenting good wines in F and J

 

[anat0l]

Why does QF do so poorly in representing austwines and presenting good wines in F and J, Compare that with EK’s investment in fine wines,

Emirates unveils world class wine list for 2024

Emirates introduces a new array of exceptional wines onboard global flights this month. Emirates boasts the most extensive wine cellar of any airline.

www.emirates.com

Just looked up: AED 186M translates to AUD 80M or thereabouts. Now of course QF is not as big as EK, and certainly far fewer F flights to cater (and doesn't look like it'll be getting much bigger), so one would think a modest cellar is sufficient to cater for F needs. That said, who knows how much QF spends on catering / wines.

It's been said that even young Australian wines have a very comparable standing to many wines (even those of older vintage) from other parts of the world, especially on a cost basis.

The way I see QF is that, rather similar to a handful of other airlines around the world, there is more blurring of the line between F and J, and food is one of the blurriest lines. I also think that a number of QF F passengers (the ones that probably aren't burning awards and paying for it) aren't simply being discerning enough to make the company put more effort into its product. When you're a company that exists to appease shareholders, you do what you can get away with, not what necessarily impresses.

Shareholders don't care about what you do, who you kill, whatever laws get broken, how the employees or customers feel - they only care about money. And that's a shame - it means public companies rarely exist to create value or pride.

...and in any case, despite the standards going down, who the hell is continuing to fill these cabins, both paid and award seats. Notice how QF F award seats aren't any easier to redeem for, even for QFF members?

 

[arrow]

Just looked up: AED 186M translates to AUD 80M or thereabouts. Now of course QF is not as big as EK, and certainly far fewer F flights to cater (and doesn't look like it'll be getting much bigger), so one would think a modest cellar is sufficient to cater for F needs.

That’s a good point. Qantas doesn’t need to spend big to have decent aged Australian wines particularly given the size of the First flights.

An aged Henschke Mount Edelstone or Penfolds 389 would be cheaper than most of Emirates First collection and it doesn’t need to be the Henschke Hill of Grace / Penfolds Grange

 

[DC3]

An aged Henschke Mount Edelstone or Penfolds 389 would be cheaper than most of Emirates First collection and it doesn’t need to be the Henschke Hill of Grace / Penfolds Grange

My vote goes to the Hill of Grace

 

[boomy]

And for those playing along at home the bubbles in Business back then were Billecart Salmon Brut or Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV.

These days one can get Charles Heidsieck on self pour at the SQ J lounge in SIN which is miles better than the champagne QF currently serve in the F lounge!

 

[Fergo747]

Just copy what QF had before the awful NP chef and his team took over.

That would require going back to the mid-90s given NP started his association with QF in 97.

Whilst I certainly agree that with the broader sentiment re QF food and bev in F has gone downhill significantly, this isn't solely attributable to NP - likely more so AJ and his LCC approach to QF.

 

[jamesatfish]

That would require going back to the mid-90s given NP started his association with QF in 97.

Whilst I certainly agree that with the broader sentiment re QF food and bev in F has gone downhill significantly, this isn't solely attributable to NP - likely more so AJ and his LCC approach to QF.

Absolutely agreed - the early days of the NP partnership were great.

I was on a QF F flight at least monthly across the late 2000s and early 2010s, and the food and beverage was fantastic. I always looked forward to Dom Perignon on boarding and the tasting menu was always special.

I even remember an invite to lunch at Rockpool with NP himself (along with a number of other QFF members, many of whom are also here on AFF) as the highlight of that partnership.

It's only been the last 10 years since things have gone downhill, in my mind when Dom Perignon was swapped out for the Taittinger was the turning of the tide.

 

[boomy]

That would require going back to the mid-90s given NP started his association with QF in 97.

Whilst I certainly agree that with the broader sentiment re QF food and bev in F has gone downhill significantly, this isn't solely attributable to NP - likely more so AJ and his LCC approach to QF.

NP took over the QF wine panel in 2015 and then it all started to go downhill for the wine selection onboard and in the lounges.

Qantas dismisses wine selection panel

Len Evans must be turning in his grave. Qantas has dismissed the wine selection panel he instituted and replaced it with a chef. Neil Perry, who seems intent on being the all-round wine guy as well as a restaurateur and chef, is the new wine consultant for... #cellarinthesky #hhfeature #NeilPerry

www.therealreview.com

I’m not blaming only him, AJ was horrible and he is the main reason QF lost so much credibility over the years but he is gone now and NP is still there keep producing poor menus for QF.

 

[arrow]

NP took over the QF wine panel in 2015 and then it all started to go downhill for the wine selection onboard and in the lounges

I’m not blaming only him, AJ was horrible and he is the main reason QF lost so much credibility over the years but he is gone now and NP is still there keep producing poor menus for QF.

I agree on the wine point, it’s definitely gone downhill post 2015 and the previous wine panel were extremely competent.

On the food front, I know from 2004-2010 when I traveled F often that NP could deliver quality cuisine (lobsters, venison, quality beef etc.), however that has declined indicating that it’s more around budget cuts than capability and it did coincide with AJ becoming CEO

 

[Fergo747]

NP took over the QF wine panel in 2015 and then it all started to go downhill for the wine selection onboard and in the lounges.

Qantas dismisses wine selection panel

Len Evans must be turning in his grave. Qantas has dismissed the wine selection panel he instituted and replaced it with a chef. Neil Perry, who seems intent on being the all-round wine guy as well as a restaurateur and chef, is the new wine consultant for... #cellarinthesky #hhfeature #NeilPerry

www.therealreview.com

I’m not blaming only him, AJ was horrible and he is the main reason QF lost so much credibility over the years but he is gone now and NP is still there keep producing poor menus for QF.

Fair point re the wines (and tbh I wasn't aware of that aspect so thanks for sharing).

I mean it's a bit rich to be blaming NP solely, he likely has to work within extremely tight budgets to create the menu which limits the ability (overlaid with restrictions in onboard kitchens). Having eaten at a number of his old (Rockpool, Spice Temple, Rosetta, etc) and new (Margaret, Next Door, Song Bird) restaurants, you know that a good menu can be created when there are no restrictions.

 

[sudoer]

Qantas dismisses wine selection panel

Len Evans must be turning in his grave. Qantas has dismissed the wine selection panel he instituted and replaced it with a chef. Neil Perry, who seems intent on being the all-round wine guy as well as a restaurateur and chef, is the new wine consultant for... #cellarinthesky #hhfeature #NeilPerry

www.therealreview.com

The article mentions..

Their wine selections have dominated the Business Traveller magazine Cellars in The Sky awards of late. At the 2013 awards announced in 2014, Qantas won five awards and boasted it had won more awards than any other airline for the fifth consecutive year. It also won several awards this year.

I wondered how far they'd slid down these rankings, but this competition must follow the Skytrax business model...

Qantas cleans up at 2024 Cellars in the Sky Awards - Travel Weekly

Qantas’ commitment to showcasing world-class Australian wine has been highlighted by 13 medals at the 2024 Cellars in the Sky Awards.

travelweekly.com.au

 

[TheRealTMA]

The article mentions..



I wondered how far they'd slid down these rankings, but this competition must follow the Skytrax business model...

Qantas cleans up at 2024 Cellars in the Sky Awards - Travel Weekly

Qantas’ commitment to showcasing world-class Australian wine has been highlighted by 13 medals at the 2024 Cellars in the Sky Awards.

travelweekly.com.au

ahaha. What a complete joke this "award" is. I suppose you get the awards you pay for. Would be better to pay for the wine and win the awards with quality and dignity IMHO.

 

[J-P]

As others above me have already commented, these awards are nonsense. But the claims in the article are also untrue.

For example it says:

• Best Overall Cellar Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Qatar
• Best First Class Cellar Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Qatar
• Best First Class Sparkling Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Singapore
• Best First Class White Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Qatar
• Best First Class Red Gold: Qantas - correct, but they got the wine wrong (claimed Penfolds RWT but was awarded for Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier)
• Best First Class Fortified Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Cathay Pacific
• Best Business Class Sparkling Silver: Qantas - untrue, this was EVA Air
• Best Business White Gold: Qantas - correct, but they got the wine wrong
• Best Business Class Red Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Korean Air
• Best Business Class Fortified Bronze: Qantas - untrue, Qantas won Gold for this (Bronze was Oman)

Basically every single claim in the article was wrong.

My source for these is the Business Traveller site that hands out the awards: https://www.businesstraveller.com/awards/cellars-in-the-sky-2024/

 

[TheRealTMA]

As others above me have already commented, these awards are nonsense. But the claims in the article are also untrue.

For example it says:

• Best Overall Cellar Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Qatar
• Best First Class Cellar Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Qatar
• Best First Class Sparkling Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Singapore
• Best First Class White Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Qatar
• Best First Class Red Gold: Qantas - correct, but they got the wine wrong (claimed Penfolds RWT but was awarded for Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier)
• Best First Class Fortified Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Cathay Pacific
• Best Business Class Sparkling Silver: Qantas - untrue, this was EVA Air
• Best Business White Gold: Qantas - correct, but they got the wine wrong
• Best Business Class Red Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Korean Air
• Best Business Class Fortified Bronze: Qantas - untrue, Qantas won Gold for this (Bronze was Oman)

Basically every single claim in the article was wrong.

My source for these is the Business Traveller site that hands out the awards: https://www.businesstraveller.com/awards/cellars-in-the-sky-2024/

So EK serve Chateau d'Yquem and 40yo Dow’s tawny port and QF claim “Best First Class Fortified Gold: Qantas – Morris of Rutherglen Old Premium Rare Topaque, NV”. Please explain!

 

[anat0l]

As others above me have already commented, these awards are nonsense. But the claims in the article are also untrue.

For example it says:

• Best Overall Cellar Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Qatar
• Best First Class Cellar Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Qatar
• Best First Class Sparkling Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Singapore
• Best First Class White Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Qatar
• Best First Class Red Gold: Qantas - correct, but they got the wine wrong (claimed Penfolds RWT but was awarded for Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier)
• Best First Class Fortified Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Cathay Pacific
• Best Business Class Sparkling Silver: Qantas - untrue, this was EVA Air
• Best Business White Gold: Qantas - correct, but they got the wine wrong
• Best Business Class Red Gold: Qantas - untrue, this was Korean Air
• Best Business Class Fortified Bronze: Qantas - untrue, Qantas won Gold for this (Bronze was Oman)

Basically every single claim in the article was wrong.

My source for these is the Business Traveller site that hands out the awards: https://www.businesstraveller.com/awards/cellars-in-the-sky-2024/

First of all, how did TW get those all so wrong. If they say, "We just copied what Qantas told us," that's no excuse (obviously no fact checking, "if Qantas told you to walk off a cliff....")

Second of all, even if the awards are bought / useless, given the competition around it, and based on how much criticism is apportioned here, it is still a surprise how often Qantas came up on the placings (even if they aren't all Gold).

 

[RooFlyer]

I mean it's a bit rich to be blaming NP solely, he likely has to work within extremely tight budgets to create the menu which limits the ability (overlaid with restrictions in onboard kitchens).

Sure, but if he takes the coin and puts his name on this stuff, then he can take the credit, good or bad.

 

[boomy]

I mean it's a bit rich to be blaming NP solely, he likely has to work within extremely tight budgets to create the menu which limits the ability (overlaid with restrictions in onboard kitchens). Having eaten at a number of his old (Rockpool, Spice Temple, Rosetta, etc) and new (Margaret, Next Door, Song Bird) restaurants, you know that a good menu can be created when there are no restrictions.

If a celebrity chef puts his name on a menu it becomes his sole responsibility, for good or bad. NP doesn’t have to work within extremely tight budgets, if he feels that he can’t deliver a product he’s 100% confident to put he’s name on then he can quit at any time and focus on his other successful businesses. Instead he chose to accept AJs cost cutting and produce inferior menus carrying his name. Therefore NP is indeed the one to blame for the decline of QF catering. If he had any professional integrity he would have resigned long time ago.