QF trials new "no tray" meal service in Economy Class

[JessicaTam]

I had a good chat to a QF staff member the other day about the snack boxes. They are certainly a cost cutting measure, as they can reduce the number of staff on a 737 to 4.

The other thing that irks me that was confirmed, is that the used snack boxes go in the rubbish. No more recycling or separating of items. And here was I thinking that QF were being good corporate citizens implementing a recycling program.

Oh, the snack boxes were also thought to be part of the 'summer menu' so hopefully they disappear when the cooler months arrive.

 

[im.daniel]

Don't know if anyone has made any mention of this; but there is still a tray service on flights PER-East Coast (at least to BNE). Strange to see that SYD-DRW flights getting the no-tray service ... it's a pretty long flight!

 

[mms498]

I was on the same flight... you got about twice as much chicken as me!

Tonight's (1 Jan) dinner on QF 490 from MEL to SYD - Pasta salad with chicken and a mustard dressing. It was tasty and filling (also with more chicken pieces than some J class meals ).

View attachment 22060

As an aside, the load was very low with only 1 person in J and about 100 in Y on a 763.

 

[RickyT84]

I was on the same flight... you got about twice as much chicken as me!

I guess thats one perk of sitting in 23A, first dip at the salad boxes . I guess you could not have seated that much further from me given that you are also a SG.

 

[leon_rex]

I'm a real stickler for what remains of legacy-carrier service but I have to confess to actually enjoying the new meals, particularly the breakfast which I had the other morning.

However, I've got to say again, the new lounge service gets a BIG FAT ZERO from me on the food side. That cabbage salad with the broken crackers in it is more embarrassing than the popcorn.

One rider - they now do table service of drinks. Sometimes. Domenico and Patch it aint! Just pathetic.

 

[Stanley Lambchop]

Just got back from a month in the UK with the family travelling in Y. QF metal SYD-LHR, EK Metal LHR-SYD. First time on EK metal and staggered by the difference.

"Dinner" on the second leg of the QF1 flight from DXB to LHR, if you can call it that, was a pre-wrapped pie/wrap/pasty of indeterminate origin and questionable filling served while we were sitting through a 3 hour tarmac delay. Despite the Captain's assurance that additional catering was being loaded, nothing more was made available until the breakfast serving 6-7 hours later. No "Marc Newson" tableware in sight.

That said, I felt positively fortunate when I saw what masqueraded as the kids meal given to my 2 and 3 year olds. After peering for a while at the untidily wrapped ball of cling film (inspired by Glad Wrap rather than Marc Newson) that was dumped unceremoniously on the tray table, it became clear there was a bread roll of sorts contained therein. After careful opening (picture a scene from The Hurt Locker) it became apparent it was smeared with toxic-looking white sludge that I eventually identified (after plucking up the considerable courage to stick a finger in) as cream cheese. Completely inedible of course and an utter disgrace given we were now 15+ hours into our journey. A polite request to the FA for some fruit or cheese/crackers for the kids yielded the helpful offer of a square of nutritionally abandoned cake.

Fast forward to the return flight when EK managed to present (on the same leg and at roughly the same time of night) a full tray of healthy, balanced food for the kids including fruit, water, hot pasta and a "lunchbox" including little chocolate/lolly treats. And a full tray service, hot and (are you ready for this Qantas?) enjoyable adult meal.

My work means I am locked into QF for most of my business travel, and have been a loyal QFF for the past 6 years (either WP or SG for each of those years), but I'm done with QF when it comes to family holidays to Europe and the US. The codeshare agreement with EK is going to bite them in the a$$ if they continue to offer up such direct and inferior comparisons.

SL

 

[drron]

Tonight's (1 Jan) dinner on QF 490 from MEL to SYD - Pasta salad with chicken and a mustard dressing. It was tasty and filling (also with more chicken pieces than some J class meals ).

View attachment 22060

As an aside, the load was very low with only 1 person in J and about 100 in Y on a 763.

Though driving home on sunday we had a lunch at Maccas.Their chicken salad was much better presented than that dish.Also fresh with an 8 hour use by time.I'll take a photo next time!
So maybe change celebrity chef to Ronald M.

 

[Shorns]

I agree Stanley, our experiences with EK have been much more positive than QF lately. The EK meals we had were very pleasant and the kid's tray was great, as hard as she tried she couldn't eat through everything that was on there. Plus their service was very good including toys for the children and on one flight they came through with a polaroid camera then later presented the photo of my daughter in a nice little frame (which we unfortunately left on the flight!). Hard to see why I'd fly QF now if we had the choice.

 

[RickyT84]

"Dinner" on the second leg of the QF1 flight from DXB to LHR, if you can call it that, was a pre-wrapped pie/wrap/pasty of indeterminate origin and questionable filling served while we were sitting through a 3 hour tarmac delay. Despite the Captain's assurance that additional catering was being loaded, nothing more was made available until the breakfast serving 6-7 hours later. No "Marc Newson" tableware in sight.

To be fair to QF, I don't think a lot of people would expect (or want) a hot dinner given QF1's 02:25 departure from DXB. On a related note, I was on a EK from DXB to FRA which departed at 03:55 and we were only served a cold chicken sandwich after takeoff with a full hot breakfast about 90 mins before arrival. I also believe snacks are also available in Y (from the self serve area at the back of the plane).

 

[Ansett]

To be fair to QF, I don't think a lot of people would expect (or want) a hot dinner given QF1's 02:25 departure from DXB. On a related note, I was on a EK from DXB to FRA which departed at 03:55 and we were only served a cold chicken sandwich after takeoff with a full hot breakfast about 90 mins before arrival. I also believe snacks are also available in Y (from the self serve area at the back of the plane).

Snacks equals savoury Bisciuts sometimes sweet biscuits too and fruit if they load it. Nothing substantila and the biscuits not real healthy

 

[under the radar]

To be fair to QF, I don't think a lot of people would expect (or want) a hot dinner given QF1's 02:25 departure from DXB. On a related note, I was on a EK from DXB to FRA which departed at 03:55 and we were only served a cold chicken sandwich after takeoff with a full hot breakfast about 90 mins before arrival. I also believe snacks are also available in Y (from the self serve area at the back of the plane).

how dare you introduce logic into a QF baggers post!! lol..tongue firmly in cheek ....the 'mindset' of QF pax is 'a full hot meal' service after takeoff...no matter what time/what length of flight

 

[Ansett]

how dare you introduce logic into a QF baggers post!! lol..tongue firmly in cheek ....the 'mindset' of QF pax is 'a full hot meal' service after takeoff...no matter what time/what length of flight

Only because that is what Qantas did for years and promoted FULL SERVICE

 

[Stanley Lambchop]

To be fair to QF, I don't think a lot of people would expect (or want) a hot dinner given QF1's 02:25 departure from DXB.

To be fair to passengers who boarded QF1 in Sydney, we were 16 hours into our journey and expecting a meal service somewhat comparable to that promoted by Qantas on its website.

 

[under the radar]

Only because that is what Qantas did for years and promoted FULL SERVICE

im referring to internationl flights...so mixing things up a bit/changing is not allowed because its QF... ...EK seems to get away with a sanga after takeoff..and other FULL SERVICE airlines do a 'snack' after takeoff with a 'meal' before landing
BTW...WE TALKING ABOUT Y/C!!!

 

[Ansett]

im referring to internationl flights...so mixing things up a bit/changing is not allowed because its QF....im also referring to the specific route ...EK seems to get away with a sanga after takeoff..

Check out the smiley at the end. I agree that EK offers a different product to QF however QF has for years promoted and still do Internationally the Full Service. Customers may have come to expect too much at times ( Self Included ) However the drop in food offerings from QF has been rather dramatic. Check out the Cafe style Breakfasts on certain International flights. One of the benifits of the EK/QF tie up was supposed to lead to an increase in customer service and product offerings. To date EK leaves QF for dead. I have flown F on both QF and EK and will take EK every time. Service in Y on EK is far more attentibe on EK than QF, Food in Y on EK is much better than on QF, Drink Varities offered on EK in Y are Better than QF, Premium drinks offered on EK in F is far better than QF F, presentation and contents of amenity kits, head phones and PJs are far better on EK than QF.

Sorry for going OT but QF could and should learn a lot from EK.

I do however have some positive things to say about QF ie seat allocation and selection on QF is far better, the ambience of the Y cabin on QF is far better on QF.

 

[RickyT84]

To be fair to passengers who boarded QF1 in Sydney, we were 16 hours into our journey and expecting a meal service somewhat comparable to that promoted by Qantas on its website.

I just had a look at look QF's website, in particular, the 'international economy class' page (International Economy Class | Qantas) under the heading 'Onboard Dining' which notes:

'Our refreshed Economy meal service is customised by flight duration and time of day, with more flexibility and choice. All flights now offer a range of light refreshments, with a Bodum tea and coffee service.
On selected international flights, you’ll be treated to a continuous refreshment service every 60-90 minutes and, to add variety, a third main meal option for long haul flights.
On our A380s and refurbished B747s you’ll find a self-serve snack bar.'


Nowhere does it mention a hot meal but it only states that meals can be customised to the time of day. Given that a light meal was served about 2 hours prior to arrival into DXB (from MEL/SYD), another substantial hot meal shortly after takeoff from DXB may not be necessary given that most people would have eaten just a few hours prior (and also during transit if they are hungry).

 

[under the radar]

you can find examples of the publics 'perceptions/interpretations' everywhere...I constantly see/read how a consumer 'requests' something....the consumer states the company 'promised/guaranteed' something...a 'request' is NOT a promise/guarantee...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

i just did a dummy booking for the QF services ex DBX to LHR - both of them under 'meal' simply state 'meal'.

very simple to make it clear by stating 'refreshment/meal' if that's what they intend to serve. simples.

 

[Awesom Andy]

0225 in DXB is 0925 in SYD (daylight savings time), and given that most pax on board would be from SYD, I'm sure there would be quite a few who would love a full hot breakfast at this time. Myself included.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

0225 in DXB is 0925 in SYD (daylight savings time), and given that most pax on board would be from SYD, I'm sure there would be quite a few who would love a full hot breakfast at this time. Myself included.

While that might be your personal preference, as far as jet lag and adjusting to your destination's time zone, when I get on the plane my only consideration is what time it is in that timezone.

Saying that, the timing of the DXB stopover is utterly horrible, with a 6 hour tag flight into LHR arriving very early AM, permitting a *maximum* 4 hour sleep, hence my long haul is now typically on other carriers via Asia.