Qantas meals

[anat0l]

When did the Drumstick/Cornetto/what ever it was get replaced with a damn Frosty Fruit on the Perth-Melbourne (and I assume other east coast destinations) route?

Had a flight for the first time in about a year to Perth last week, and wasn't too impressed with the new dessert option

For some reason that will escape me, when I fly to PER and we get ice creams both ways, one way it will be a Cornetto and the other way it is a Frosty Fruit. The last such time was in February (I did fly to PER in May but I didn't get any ice creams on the red-eye), but I can't remember which way I got either product.

I believe on my SYD-JNB flight we were given Frosty Fruits, but from JNB-SYD we got Calippo ice blocks! The latter is going a bit bonkers.

 

[tba]

I believe on my SYD-JNB flight we were given Frosty Fruits, but from JNB-SYD we got Calippo ice blocks! The latter is going a bit bonkers.

Lol at getting a Calippo - didn't even know they made them anymore

I got a Frosty Fruit on both MEL-PER & PER-MEL

 

[codash1099]

I've been a massive Bundaberg ginger beer fanatic forever, and it does grate on me when they don't load enough of this on board.

Thankfully this year my status means that I'm seated well towards the front of the cabin so I've only missed out once - and that's because the FA was too lazy to speak with one of her colleagues and have one brought across.

Just wish that in addition to dietary prefs, you could also put a drinks pref into your PAX profile so they could get a good measure of what to load.

Not much you can do with dietary prefs these days but old ones must still be stored as they transferred to my DONE4 booking.

And I'll support the +1 for the lamb curry.

 

[swylie]

Hey Guys,

Long time reader, first time poster here

I don't usually expect much from in-air food on domestic routes, as they're usually short enough to go without. If I do need lunch or dinner on a plane in order to be ready for work when I arrive, then I usually book or upgrade to Business...

I think DJ have a fairly sensible strategy of giving people a lower cost ticket (in theory) and then offering a choice of food at a cost - this theory works for me in many situations, anyway.

However, I did recently have one of QF's "Toasted Ham and Cheese Sandwiches" on a lunch-time flight ADL-MEL (1:10 flying time), and was pretty disappointed at the half a sandwich, toasted on one side, with the thinnest slice of ham a machine could carve... photo attached... This simply doesn't satisfy as "lunch" and if I was relying on this meal to get me through to dinner, I would have been very disappointed.

 

[harvyk]

I've been a massive Bundaberg ginger beer fanatic forever, and it does grate on me when they don't load enough of this on board.

Thankfully this year my status means that I'm seated well towards the front of the cabin so I've only missed out once - and that's because the FA was too lazy to speak with one of her colleagues and have one brought across.

Just wish that in addition to dietary prefs, you could also put a drinks pref into your PAX profile so they could get a good measure of what to load.

+1 here for the bundaberg...
I also wish that you could specify what drinks you where most likely going to drink (and the quantity) on your profile so that they could get loadings right.

I don't normally drink very much on flights, it's usually only when I'm flying J (the wines) and \ or when I'm on a long haul flight. I usually have a couple in the QP before getting on a flight.

 

[oz_mark]

+1 here for the bundaberg...
I also wish that you could specify what drinks you where most likely going to drink (and the quantity) on your profile so that they could get loadings right.

I just wish they'd take Diet coke off and put coke zero on!

 

[JohnK]

I think Qantas domestic catering in economy is quite good. The meals are tasty and there is enough variety there for someone like me who commutes almost weekly.

Personally I feel Qantas international catering in economy is slightly disappointing not from the quality of the meal but rather the small portions they serve. When travelling ultra long haul a small portion for lunch or dinner is not enough to last the whole flight.

 

[anat0l]

Personally I feel Qantas international catering in economy is slightly disappointing not from the quality of the meal but rather the small portions they serve. When travelling ultra long haul a small portion for lunch or dinner is not enough to last the whole flight.

It's really not meant to in a way.

Given an ultra long haul flight of around 14 hours, there are usually two meals. One meal is served close to take-off and another close to landing. Let's assume it takes you about 0.5 h to eat a complete meal, and let's say the first meal is served at 1.5 h into the flight and the last one 2.5 h before landing. This means that between t = (1.5 + 0.5) = 2 h and t = (14 - 2.5) = 11.5 h, that leaves 11.5 h - 2 h = 9.5 h you need to survive between major meals.

That's about the same differential for a typical day between breakfast and dinner. Too bad you can't rebalance it so the first meal is huge and the last meal is light, but that's where snacks come in. (For some of us, the lounge also supplements the supply from the first meal.) For Y the best you can do is nibbles and fruit, which is probably sufficient for most people. I'm sure if you really, really need to then you might be able to ask for, say, crackers and cheese.

If people sleep for an appreciable portion of that time then that reduces the need considerably.

In saying all of this, QF provide adequate sustenance for most people in Y but I think - and this is mostly from anecdotal evidence - airlines like SQ and CX do provide a better service in Y especially for people that need to eat in between main meals.

 

[anat0l]

Hey Guys,

Long time reader, first time poster here

Welcome to AFF, swylie. Great to have you on board (no pun intended).

I think DJ have a fairly sensible strategy of giving people a lower cost ticket (in theory) and then offering a choice of food at a cost - this theory works for me in many situations, anyway.

That is the main theory of any LCC (yes I'm aware DJ is trying to move itself away from that kind of branding), i.e. you pay only for the services you want / need, so the only thing you need to compulsorily pay is the ticket cost for basic carriage.

However, I did recently have one of QF's "Toasted Ham and Cheese Sandwiches" on a lunch-time flight ADL-MEL (1:10 flying time), and was pretty disappointed at the half a sandwich, toasted on one side, with the thinnest slice of ham a machine could carve... photo attached... This simply doesn't satisfy as "lunch" and if I was relying on this meal to get me through to dinner, I would have been very disappointed.

QF used to serve "cold" (i.e. not toasted but not dead freezer or fridge, teeth-chattering cold) sandwiches for lunch; basically the same grub you could get by going to a 7-11 or Grab-and-Go shop and picking up a sandwich triangle. Funny they would switch to toasties - on board ovens can be sensitive beasts - although evidence has been shown that they are also employing the use of large scrolls.

Was it only half a sandwich? I see two half-sandwiches in that photo.

One half-sandwich certainly wouldn't cut it for lunch (no pun intended).

 

[JohnK]

It's really not meant to in a way.

Given an ultra long haul flight of around 14 hours, there are usually two meals. One meal is served close to take-off and another close to landing. Let's assume it takes you about 0.5 h to eat a complete meal, and let's say the first meal is served at 1.5 h into the flight and the last one 2.5 h before landing. This means that between t = (1.5 + 0.5) = 2 h and t = (14 - 2.5) = 11.5 h, that leaves 11.5 h - 2 h = 9.5 h you need to survive between major meals.

Perhaps you are right and I am expecting too much.

I keep thinking about our SYD-LAX flight in August and lunch served was a reasonably small portion and coupled with no snacks and a poor and inadequate breakfast (I don't call a couple pieces of fruit breakfast, what is wrong with offering full English breakfast?) my father and I were both very hungry.

 

[thewinchester]

I just wish they'd take Diet coke off and put coke zero on!

+1 for the switch, coke zero is tops.

 

[11sjw]

I've done a fair few (>10) PER-KTA/PHE in the last 4 months as well as an interstate trip or two (discount economy SCs stink).

My advice with the early KTA/PHE runs:

1.Breakfast at the Lounge will be better than what you get on board. (Also seats near the back aren't bad as they disembark from both front and rear)
2. Dinner is usually ok. Only once did I get given some dud bread scroll and told that was it.
3. When leaving KTA duck into the Managers Lounge and grab a bottle or two of water as there never seems to be enough.

Never had anything really horrible on Cityflyer services so I can't complain there.

 

[Flying Fox]

Personally I like the "Beef Rissoles with Mashed Potatoes" as well as the "Fish & Rice/Pasta".

Not a fan of the lamb.

+1 on Coke Zero too.

Whilst the Y meals aren't great, I always promised not to bag QF about meals after having travelled with a full service airline (AA) in the USA. SEA - JKF on AA gets you no food in Y for 5.5hrs. We did get a drink or maybe two.

Travelling AA makes me greatful for QF in so many ways!

 

[serfty]

...
Whilst the Y meals aren't great, I always promised not to bag QF about meals after having travelled with a full service airline (AA) in the USA. SEA - JKF on AA gets you no food in Y for 5.5hrs. We did get a drink or maybe two. ...

That'll teach you it's a good to avoid flying on a red-eye if you are wanting to eat ...

AA actually do provided substantial cheese on domestic flights with duration greater than 2½ hours and departing/flying during "traditional Meal Times". This cheese comes in varying shapes - Salad, Burrito, Burger, chicken ...

 

[docjames]

Domestically speaking:

Pasta (of any form) - terrible
Curry/chicken/other - reasonable
Rissoles - +1 to excellent, at least they have reasonable flavour, and if you havent eaten before the flight, you have some semblance of fullness after eating (well, that does include the two beers as well).

Internationally - variable. I'm with JohnK on the hot breakfast ratio - assume (almost) everyone will want it.

BTW - Given the flights cost the same whether you get meal or snack, plus >4pm = booze, i try and get the "dinner" flights or lunch flights, and try and avoid snack flights (where possible).

 

[significance]

Domestically speaking:
Pasta (of any form) - terrible
Curry/chicken/other - reasonable
Rissoles - +1 to excellent

I'm still stunned every time I see someone praise the rissoles. For me:
Pasta: Acceptable.
Curry/chicken/other: Reasonable, though bland.
Rissoles: Inedible. Greasy, salty sludge.

 

[significance]

+1 for the switch, coke zero is tops.

I make a point of asking for it most trips. I know they don't have it, but maybe if enough of us ask, they'll put it on.

 

[UP4014]

I seem to remember back in the 1990's United experimented with Macca's on board domestic routes that used 747's.

From the domestic flights in the US I took back then it was an improvement although the standard seemed to be to bring you own airport pizza on with you.

Matt

 

[oz_mark]

I make a point of asking for it most trips. I know they don't have it, but maybe if enough of us ask, they'll put it on.

I do too, but hasn't helped yet.

Maybe we need to run a 'Give us Coke Zero' campaign

 

[munitalP]

...

Have you had the lamb curry before? That isn't too bad at all. +1 for that.

...

You've got a beef with the salsa (no puns intended) it seems. Is that because it is tasteless, not hot enough or dumb idea to serve it cold?

no to the lamb, I don't eat any form of sheep, salsa - it gives me heartburn big time, it must be a particular ingredient or preservative in it causes the HB, I eat salsa anywhere else though, hot or cold

Mr!