Qantas International Business Meals - Preorder and Discussion

[kermatu]

They all look pretty good to me. But I have had poor experiences with pork cutlets / chops out of Melbourne (and in the F lounge) - tough and tasteless. I'd consider something else, personally.

Agree avoid the cheese as it is stock standard and available anytime (usually).

Even if you want to eat light once onboard maybe ask for one of your dishes to be set aside for later - as a midway snack. It's a long flight! I have been lucky in the past to have all my dishes and halfway through get another 1 or 2, but it's not guaranteed and you never know what is left.

Enjoy!

 

[pythonisman]

I didn't realise this was a "thing" QF do -- I've got flights SYD (xBNE) NRT and return next week, returning end of January- I don't see an option to pick catering though?
I usually select inflight as I always wonder if there's going to be something that sounds better onboard.
I'm not too fussed about pre-selecting the meal, but was interested to see what was available.

Hoping that the a/c config remains as the new 333 J cabin in both directions!

 

[eminere]

I didn't realise this was a "thing" QF do -- I've got flights SYD (xBNE) NRT and return next week, returning end of January- I don't see an option to pick catering though?

It only appears in MMB from 7 days to 12 hours before the flight.

 

[kermatu]

It's only from about 7 days out I think.

There'll be nothing extra/different onboard, so no point waiting unless you aren't sure and want to choose on the day.

Mind you, I've seen people pre-select their meal (or a special meal), choose onboard not to have that and the FAs offer them anything else. Must mean someone else misses out on their choice. (This isn't just QF where I've seen it)

 

[pythonisman]

Thanks to both of you. I'll take a look at the options and see what's going soon. Flight is on the 31st so not long to go - cannot freaking wait to get away from work, for 4 weeks as well - it's gonna be amazing!!

It's only from about 7 days out I think.
Mind you, I've seen people pre-select their meal (or a special meal), choose onboard not to have that and the FAs offer them anything else. Must mean someone else misses out on their choice. (This isn't just QF where I've seen it)

Edit: I was gonna say - I think the crew normally get to pick from what's left, so I assume there's more of what the airline catering company (or the airline themselves) believe is going to be more popular on the plane, and they just hope not everyone picks the bread salad?

 

[kermatu]

Thanks to both of you. I'll take a look at the options and see what's going soon. Flight is on the 31st so not long to go - cannot freaking wait to get away from work, for 4 weeks as well - it's gonna be amazing!!



Edit: I was gonna say - I think the crew normally get to pick from what's left, so I assume there's more of what the airline catering company (or the airline themselves) believe is going to be more popular on the plane, and they just hope not everyone picks the bread salad?

Have never given a huge amount of thought to crew meals, so I just don't know. But I would have thought on these long haul flights you wouldn't leave it to "take whatever is left" for the crew. Surely their meals are pre-loaded, or bring your own? I understand on a 3 hour flight you take what may be left, because worst case scenario you eat at your destination, but for 8+ hour flights that doesn't seem fair... Off-topic, but interesting.

I've only done a handful of Oz-US flights in PE, J and F. The J and F flights I've had no problem, in either direction, asking for a snack later in the flight and being told a fair few options were still available. I'm not a big fan of the breakfasts after 14 hours so prefer something else 4 or 5 hours out. Pretty confident at that time I'm not denying someone else (including crew) a meal.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I am thinking this will be after a First Lounge breakfast ... may possibly go the lighter options.

Thinking more about that last time (back in June), the FA failed to mention any pre-order until I advised him that I had done so whereupon on the spot he checked it and was able to recite it to me (I had ordered the "ONLINE EXCLUSIVE").

Mr FM and I ordered the online exclusive JNB- SYD in March and it wasn't loaded. The CSM said if that was going to happen anywhere it would probably be ex JNB. Was a bit annoying as by the time everyone had finished faffing around trying to find it we were the last people in J to order our meals and couldn't get our first choice.

 

[serfty]

Well this is ex MEL so I'd assume their act would be together.

Noting previous posts, the Panzella (being the "online exclusive") is only available for those who select it via pre-order.

Back in June the "online exclusive" was a raw fish salad with a decent kick to it (forget the name)... it was very very good.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Well this is ex MEL so I'd assume their act would be together.

you would assume so. Although you would also hope that Quality control procedures wouldn't let it happen in any port.

 

[MFM3012]

I've found the menu options to be extensive on the flights to the Americas and the staff to be generous with changing online preferences. But the Sydney flight to Tokyo and return (as supper flights) have small plates on and never seem to be able to offer a second plate. I find that rather poor when paying significant funds for a business class flight.

 

[ozmouse]

Flying out next week QF73 SYD-SFO. We have crowned it "the retro flight" as i presume it will be my last in the upper deck of a 747.

Lunch meal options below. On the one hand, kinda adventuresome with with the okonomiyaki and the venison. But on the other hand take out the soup, salad, pie, sandwhich and cheese, its chicken or fish.

Dont usually order fish... ling or ocean trout?



Lunch QF73 SYD-SFO


No Meal - maximise my rest.Select now - pre-order a meal.Select onboard - order my meal inflight.


Select your meal from the choice below.


Menu (please tick your choice below)


Cauliflower soup with almond, parsley and pecorino pistou. (small plate)


Poached chicken salad with apple, celery and caramelised walnuts. (small plate)


Crab and vegetable okonomiyaki. (small plate)


Lamb and rosemary pot pie with tomato relish. (small plate)


Selection of cheese served with accompaniments. (small plate)


Roast pumpkin with warm grains, edamame, green beans, toasted pepitas and sumac dressing. (main plate)


Green curry of ling with eggplant, beans, Thai basil, fried eschalots and steamed rice. (main plate)


Toasted beef, mushroom and fontina sandwich with crème fraîche and rocket. (main plate)


Lemon grilled spatchcock with rosemary roast potatoes and anchovy dressing. (main plate)


Braised venison with chestnuts, celeriac puree and broccoli. (main plate)


Ocean trout confit with pickled cucumbers and capers. (main plate)

 

[SpudOz]

Flying out next week QF73 SYD-SFO. We have crowned it "the retro flight" as i presume it will be my last in the upper deck of a 747.

Lunch meal options below. On the one hand, kinda adventuresome with with the okonomiyaki and the venison. But on the other hand take out the soup, salad, pie, sandwhich and cheese, its chicken or fish.

Dont usually order fish... ling or ocean trout?



Lunch QF73 SYD-SFO


No Meal - maximise my rest.Select now - pre-order a meal.Select onboard - order my meal inflight.


Select your meal from the choice below.


Menu (please tick your choice below)


Cauliflower soup with almond, parsley and pecorino pistou. (small plate)


Poached chicken salad with apple, celery and caramelised walnuts. (small plate)


Crab and vegetable okonomiyaki. (small plate)


Lamb and rosemary pot pie with tomato relish. (small plate)


Selection of cheese served with accompaniments. (small plate)


Roast pumpkin with warm grains, edamame, green beans, toasted pepitas and sumac dressing. (main plate)


Green curry of ling with eggplant, beans, Thai basil, fried eschalots and steamed rice. (main plate)


Toasted beef, mushroom and fontina sandwich with crème fraîche and rocket. (main plate)


Lemon grilled spatchcock with rosemary roast potatoes and anchovy dressing. (main plate)


Braised venison with chestnuts, celeriac puree and broccoli. (main plate)


Ocean trout confit with pickled cucumbers and capers. (main plate)

Same lunch menu for SYD-JNB on 6 July. Preordered soup & ling. Soup was delicious, ling was a bit bland.

 

[Ewing]

Flying out next week QF73 SYD-SFO. We have crowned it "the retro flight" as i presume it will be my last in the upper deck of a 747.

Lunch meal options below. On the one hand, kinda adventuresome with with the okonomiyaki and the venison. But on the other hand take out the soup, salad, pie, sandwhich and cheese, its chicken or fish.

Good to see the menu has changed from when I flew QF73 in May - it was the most uninspiring flight I've ever had food wise.

Okonomiyaki and spatchcock are delicious.

Actual in flight shots: https://goo.gl/photos/hW8J7ZmUcPK6taCBA

 

[kermatu]

Actual in flight shots: https://goo.gl/photos/hW8J7ZmUcPK6taCBA

Very impressive. They look like they are staged!

 

[Ewing]

Very impressive. They look like they are staged!

SYD-CGK last month. A perfect example of just how exceptional QF crew can be (probably the best crew I've had).

Made even better by having the same crew on the return flight. They remembered me and my preferences (which are usually along the lines of keep my wine and soda water topped up when approaching empty and I'll leave you alone)

 

[marki]

Bravo Qantas Crew

 

[MattS]

I flew Qantas business for the first time a few weeks back (MEL>LAX) and found the food rather disappointing. On the MEL>LAX leg I had a lamb pie and a steak sandwich which were both pretty average. Desert was either cheese plate or chocolate tart, they didn't offer both. On the LAX>MEL flight back, tomato soup (with olives!) was inedible, too sweet & too salty at the same time. Breakfast was fine, as I just had continental. I've got the same flight next week and the options are limited... don't want the same steak sandwich, and don't like the idea of venison or grilled spatchcock at 30k feet. The food in econnomy MEL>Perth was heaps better (those cardboard box meals are pretty great) than what I've had so far. And what's with the small plates vs main plates? I asked for one of both, assuming the small was meant to be entree and main being a main... the FA was surprised I'd want both, but said that was OK. I got the impression you don't usually get both!?When I've flown Cathay Business, you get an entree, main, desert AND a cheese plate. I just assumed Qantas business would be similar...

 

[kermatu]

I flew Qantas business for the first time a few weeks back (MEL>LAX) and found the food rather disappointing. On the MEL>LAX leg I had a lamb pie and a steak sandwich which were both pretty average. Desert was either cheese plate or chocolate tart, they didn't offer both. On the LAX>MEL flight back, tomato soup (with olives!) was inedible, too sweet & too salty at the same time. Breakfast was fine, as I just had continental. I've got the same flight next week and the options are limited... don't want the same steak sandwich, and don't like the idea of venison or grilled spatchcock at 30k feet. The food in econnomy MEL>Perth was heaps better (those cardboard box meals are pretty great) than what I've had so far. And what's with the small plates vs main plates? I asked for one of both, assuming the small was meant to be entree and main being a main... the FA was surprised I'd want both, but said that was OK. I got the impression you don't usually get both!?When I've flown Cathay Business, you get an entree, main, desert AND a cheese plate. I just assumed Qantas business would be similar...

I assume the LAX-MEL is classed as a 'supper' flight so it's assumed you have one small or large plate (and dessert) only. That said, I've always had both on such flights (including LAX-MEL). When you get the chance have a look at the pre-order options. That will tell you what's normal or allowed. Will also tell you if you'll be getting a different menu.

Personally I'd be quite happy to have different dishes such as venison or spatchcock for a J flight. But I agree sometimes the Y box meals are better (certainly superior to some of the pitiful small salads classed as dinner in J on shorter domestic routes).

 

[hm520]

Flying tomorrow BNE to NRT.

Trying to decide between the chicken bahn mi or the pork cutlet. Has anyone had experience with either?

 

[snooze]

I had the pork cutlet on the SYD - LAX last month. It was very impressive. I would choose that again.