Stupid and silly QF catering questions

drcam

Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2008
Posts
277
(1) If you catch a Qantas domestic flight in J after 8pm, say at 8.30pm, not a redeye but getting to the destination the same evening, do you get served dinner or just a "snack"?

(2) On a flight from Melbourne to LAX departing in the evening and arriving at sunset the same day, is the first meal a "dinner" and the second meal a "breakfast" despite arriving in LA close to dinnertime?
 
(2) On a flight from Melbourne to LAX departing in the evening and arriving at sunset the same day, is the first meal a "dinner" and the second meal a "breakfast" despite arriving in LA close to dinnertime?

Yes.
 
(1) If you catch a Qantas domestic flight in J after 8pm, say at 8.30pm, not a redeye but getting to the destination the same evening, do you get served dinner or just a "snack"?

There is a time where this does stop being a dinner and becomes a snack, but it's still substantial and usually has a hot option. There used to be clear cut guidelines to determine what you get, but now even the QF flight info doesn't include it (just says Y-Refreshments, J-Hot Meal, for all flights).

(2) On a flight from Melbourne to LAX departing in the evening and arriving at sunset the same day, is the first meal a "dinner" and the second meal a "breakfast" despite arriving in LA close to dinnertime?

I think you actually get a "Supper" out of MEL on that flight.
 
(2) On a flight from Melbourne to LAX departing in the evening and arriving at sunset the same day, is the first meal a "dinner" and the second meal a "breakfast" despite arriving in LA close to dinnertime?

Even when the flight is 5 hours late, a few weeks back arrived at LA around 11.30 pm and served Breakfast. And it was definitely a Meal rather than a supper.

 
Even when the flight is 5 hours late, a few weeks back arrived at LA around 11.30 pm and served Breakfast. And it was definitely a Meal rather than a supper.

Supper is still a meal, it's just a more express dinner (I think the idea is to make the service quicker so people can sleep). I think main difference for J is no starter. Probably no practical difference for Y.
 
2) On a flight from Melbourne to LAX departing in the evening and arriving at sunset the same day, is the first meal a "dinner" and the second meal a "breakfast" despite arriving in LA close to dinnertime?
It really depends when in the evening. If it’s around 8:20pm it is dinner out if MEL. The later one that departs 11pm is only a supper. That means no bar for all cabins, no entree in J, no ice creams in W/Y.
 
(1) If you catch a Qantas domestic flight in J after 8pm, say at 8.30pm, not a redeye but getting to the destination the same evening, do you get served dinner or just a "snack"?
I suppose you could call it a substantial snack ;) . It's not a dinner but will fill you up. My most recent late-night SYDMELs/MELSYDs (9pm-10pm departures) had a ham and cheese croissant as the main. I quite liked it. I think the other option was a soup.
 
It really depends when in the evening. If it’s around 8:20pm it is dinner out if MEL. The later one that departs 11pm is only a supper. That means no bar for all cabins, no entree in J, no ice creams in W/Y.
I am teetotal anyway so a bar makes no difference to me. But having an "appetiser" would be nice, all J appetisers have generally been quite enjoyable. I should think that they at least serve up an entree in the American sense. And not just a croissant.
 
One could always attempt to have "dinner" in a lounge.
In my experience, all Asian lounges and Qantas business lounges (domestic and international) have more than enough "entree" food (in the American sense) to pass for dinner quite nicely. Virgin lounges only sometimes have one "dinner" dish of perhaps plain pasta or a watery chicken curry with not much chicken in it, while Rex lounges do not have even that.

I haven't set foot in a Qantas Club (not business) lounge for years, since I terminated my subscription.

I don't know if things have changed in the last few years. The Amex lounges in Melbourne and Sydney always seem to have good food, even for those travelling in whY internationally.
 
There is a time where this does stop being a dinner and becomes a snack, but it's still substantial and usually has a hot option. There used to be clear cut guidelines to determine what you get, but now even the QF flight info doesn't include it (just says Y-Refreshments, J-Hot Meal, for all flights).



I think you actually get a "Supper" out of MEL on that flight.
My previous understanding is that you get dinner IF AND ONLY IF the departure time is between 1800 and 1959 inclusive (lunch between 1200 and 1359). Even on a flight from say TSV-MEL leaving at 5.30pm and arriving at 8.30pm you would only get a refreshment. Pure cost-cutting stinginess and greed.
 
Australia's highest-earning Velocity Frequent Flyer credit card: Offer expires: 21 Jan 2025
- Earn 60,000 bonus Velocity Points
- Get unlimited Virgin Australia Lounge access
- Enjoy a complimentary return Virgin Australia domestic flight each year

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

My previous understanding is that you get dinner IF AND ONLY IF the departure time is between 1800 and 1959 inclusive (lunch between 1200 and 1359). Even on a flight from say TSV-MEL leaving at 5.30pm and arriving at 8.30pm you would only get a refreshment. Pure cost-cutting stinginess and greed.

I'm fairly certain that rule is only for short flights; as TSV-MEL is over 3 hours it should get a meal regardless.
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.
Back
Top