Anyone else miss eating real food

[Tropic]

I know the various reasons why airline food has degraded over the past 40 years. And I know that the marketing BS is never delivered in reality. But geeze I really miss the days when the meal service was something to look forward to and one of the things that made flying a special experience, once a year or four times a week. The good old days when there was a noticable difference between the J and Y offering, not just the portion size, crockery and six NP rocket leaves.... I think it's time we give QF some guidance on our expectations. If other carriers can do it surely QF can...

 

[ffhound]

Having no experience of flying in those days, can you please provide a description of what food used to be like?

 

[opusman]

 

[Tropic]

Having no experience of flying in those days, can you please provide a description of what food used to be like?

Lots of websites out there. Have a look airlinemeals.net or google

QF's spin on subject

A short history of airline food

Keep up to date with Qantas' latest news and information, media releases, articles, images and more with the Qantas News Room.

www.qantasnewsroom.com.au

 

[Tropic]

I have found Turkish Airlines an example of a carrier that has a great inflight F&B offering, esp in J. And their lounge in ISL has great food too

 

[Flying mermaid]

I have found Turkish Airlines an example of a carrier that has a great inflight F&B offering, esp in J. And their lounge in ISL has great food too

I have only flown Turkish Airlines in domestic J, but food was way nicer than Qantas domestic J and served really quickly.

 

[codash1099]

I'd at least like to have my steak served with a tiny amount of pink and a little juicy, as opposed to the brown bit of cardboard I was served in J last night.

 

[kookaburra75]

Lots of websites out there. Have a look airlinemeals.net or google
QF's spin on subject

A short history of airline food

Keep up to date with Qantas' latest news and information, media releases, articles, images and more with the Qantas News Room.

www.qantasnewsroom.com.au

Ah memories. Besides the fashions, I loved those little salt and pepper shakers they used to put on the trays.

 

[Tropic]

While QF may have sold its food businesses to Dnata (EK), I believe it still maintains resposibility for menu design thus what actually gets served to pax and in what format. Sadly as cost minimisation is the driving factor, any improvements in QF meals dom or int are not likely.

 

[offshore171]

A bit of history as to why airline food may have been perceived as tastier in the 70's and 80's. Salt content played a big role.

Why Airline Food Sucks

As long as there has been commercial flight, the quality of in-flight meals has gotten a bad rap. Here’s what airlines are doing to solve the problem.

www.fastcompany.com

Personally, in any cabin class I've never had any food equivalent to even a mid tier restaurant. There's just too many compromises involved such as pre-preparation and reheating, in addition to the ultra low humidity which diminishes your ability to taste.

The best dishes are nearly always best eaten within minutes of leaving the chef's station.

 

[Tropic]

I think peak airline food was probably in the 70s when airline industry "took off" and integrated airport catering and delivery systems were developed and modern galleys on newer generation airframes were introduced.

 

[Tropic]

A bit of history as to why airline food may have been perceived as tastier in the 70's and 80's.

Why Airline Food Sucks

As long as there has been commercial flight, the quality of in-flight meals has gotten a bad rap. Here’s what airlines are doing to solve the problem.

www.fastcompany.com

Personally, in any cabin class I've never had any food equivalent to even a mid tier restaurant. There's just too many compromises involved such as pre-preparation and reheating, in addition to the ultra low humidity which diminishes your ability to taste.

The best dishes are nearly always best eaten within minutes of leaving the chef's station.

In my experience this really depends on the type of food being served. Have had exceptional food in J over the years, mainly on premium middle eastern and Asian carriers serving their respectiive cuisines. Western type food I probably agree with a few notable exceptions. Though I find a great wine can lift a mediocre dish...

 

[jb747]

DNATA = Do nothing at the airport

 

[banana boy]

The fish (?) and subsequent food poisoning I had on the Pan Am flight from NYC to DUB in 1970 put me off ordering seafood on airplanes for the next 30 years - unlike some, my misty water coloured memories of 1970s airplane food are not exactly rose tinted,

 

[oz_mark]

While I would agree quality has gone downhill over time, I am not sure I recall any time I would have called it real food.
While I've had a few standout meals, I'd rather be eating on the ground

 

[Tropic]

Luckily (touch wood) have never got dose of food poisoning from airline food....and I've eaten some dodgy looking meals on some dodgy flights over the years...

 

[drron]

You used to get real food on a Tassie train in the 50s.Railway buffs may like this.

 

[amaroo]

In the main I find most feeds on airlines acceptable for the time and place. IME the simpler the better...

Try driving through country Australia ..... most of it is vile stuff that should have ceased being served back in the 50's. Often wonder what a traveller from France or Italy must think when driving around this country.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I think the food in F or J on a good airline is much better than it was.
I am thinking of the food in F on Etihad in particular.

I flew in Y on QFd for the first time since October 2015 last week.
I was shocked. First encounter with the meal in a box, no tray, cheese and biscuits put in your hand.
Appalling.

 

[Tropic]

Wait until you get a box of QF Y slop thats leaking... hilarity ensues...