Qantas Business Class meals & menus

[hutch]

I agree, if CX can serve steak on a flight from TPE to HKG (similar flight time), I'm sure that QF could do the same on MEL to SYD.

All for the argument that food could and should improve...

But I'm not sure expecting domestic J to be the same as International J is entirely realistic.

 

[downgraded]

All for the argument that food could and should improve...

But I'm not sure expecting domestic J to be the same as International J is entirely realistic.

Agree, but you'd hope QF domestic J catering couldn't get any worse and is now well below what most expect of a domestic J product offering: the menu is woeful and you have a low probability of getting your choice anyway. It's clear it no longer supports the J price proposition, and hasn't for a while. It's comical when you consider what the meals actually cost Qantas compared to the reputational cost of not delivering a premium product. Someone in management may be being measured on waste but then they need to go and figure out how they provide catering options whilst minimising waste (ask the punters up front maybe?).

 

[RooFlyer]

Agree, but you'd hope QF domestic J catering couldn't get any worse and is now well below what most expect of a domestic J product offering: the menu is woeful and you have a low probability of getting your choice anyway. It's clear it no longer supports the J price proposition, and hasn't for a while. It's comical when you consider what the meals actually cost Qantas compared to the reputational cost of not delivering a premium product. Someone in management may be being measured on waste but then they need to go and figure out how they provide catering options whilst minimising waste (ask the punters up front maybe?).

Every point well made. Unfortunately, the Qantas 'loyalists' keep coming back and fill the planes, so the metrics probably show management that all is good.

 

[SYD]

Every point well made. Unfortunately, the Qantas 'loyalists' keep coming back and fill the planes, so the metrics probably show management that all is good.

Really mainly senior Corporate clients on contracts that pay a fraction of the published fares, connecting PAX on lonhghaul bookings (also effectively paying a fraction of the point to point fare), plus some QF staff and then the upgraders. I assume many here posting pics of Domestic QF meals are the latter?

Of course, that’s no excuse for lame offerings and random wine selections (which is my main beef with J catering - especially on longhaul routes).

I rarely fly J domestically - can’t see the point for short hops but won’t decline an op-up. The other day on one of those rare paid flights (MEL-SYD, connecting from DEL-MEL). We had the “sausage roll” option…


The sausage roll itself was tasty as was the mash (no need for pumpkin haters to respond), but the undercooked but still tough broccolini wasn’t necessary… The meal on the SYD-MEL flight a few weeks earlier was fine (see post #8540). Funny thing is, it’s the plating that makes some of these look drab.

Didn’t someone recently do a Red Planet survey about QF plates….

 

[Berlin]

I agree. And then they offer bread on the side, too.

You’re right- no one will ever complain about a lack of carbs on Qantas! Departing in Sydney, it’s starts with the panini bar in the Domestic J lounge- often there’s more “baguette” than filling (and funnily these days, hardly ever a “panini” in sight). Then comes the sandwich on board with a side of bread (more bread? I got enough bread if you’d like another slice…) and a nice bar of chocolate alongside the wine to top it all off.

On that note: They must throw away SOOO much bread. What a waste!

 

[Melburnian1]

On that note: They must throw away SOOO much bread. What a waste!

It's to keep publicly listed GrainCorp and Qube Holdings shareholders happy, because at the moment harvests in most graingrowing nations have been excellent, meaning a surplus of various grains (wheat especially) being stored and for sale.

 

[Aeryn]

I find the meals hit and miss in domestic J but Im not booking J for the meal and I doubt that is the motivation for many others either. Yes carb heavy which doesnt suit me but some of the salads are great when they are offered (I actually really like the chicken and edamame one they serve in whY and if not thrilled by the J offering would not hesitate in asking for one of the why meals if suited better).

Bread should really only be offered with meals like soup or salad that don't already have a bread component. Offering bread with a sandwich/panini/roll/wrap is just silly.

That said the offering on intra-euro J on BA, IB, AY and AA J domestic are also carb heavy ime.

I do like the Koko Black chocolate bars , so much better than the old Lindt balls and I always save it to eat later.

But yes rather than focusing on a veggie and meat choice, I think if you want veggie you should order a vegetarian meal and have the two options be a carb one and a higher protein/lower carb option.

If you are flying a route with lots of flights i.e. SYD-MEL then booking a flight which is considered a meal flight breaky, lunch or dinner rather than a snack flight will see you get more for your $$$. i actually think the flights that only geta snack should be a little cheaper, sometimes they are because less convenient but more often than not the same price.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I agree, if CX can serve steak on a flight from TPE to HKG (similar flight time), I'm sure that QF could do the same on MEL to SYD.

There’s competition on the HKG-TPE market, and expectations of the Asian market (full hot meal in all classes on most flights, even ultra short).

CX’s fares on the HKG-TPE market are also very expensive, at least double those of their competitors.

As for intra-europe catering… i think it’s usually very good… although that can depend on the carrier. But theyre making up for the shortfall in seating (eurobusiness).

I would prefer if QF went with the euro model for short flights …DO&Co standards. Even if that meant cold dishes. BA, Lufty and Swiss do excellent short-haul meals.

Cf economy… where qantas is streets ahead of anything in europe. Shorthaul economy in europe is dire Not even any entertainment on most carriers unkess you pay for wifi.

 

[Poojou]

Suspiciously nice appetiser on QF37 last night MEL - SIN the 'plougman's plate' - I really need to source some of this lamb salami...

Apparently this 'Magra' lamb has shown up in F as cutlets and will apparently be appearing in J soonish as an option for protein (I was doing a lot of chat with the purser and crew last night haha)

I also really loved the ice cream sandwich - even me being a savoury person - and I also love to sample whatever sweet wine they have (I.... forgot to take a photo of the menu)

Finally, the pre-landing meal of thai fishcakes and some kind of herbed rice also sensational, I think possibly _too_ flavourful for some people...

(main fillet of beef was fine, the sugarsnaps were not photogenic but were tasty)

(also also - sorry about the cough photos, often I'll take a bite then realise WAIT..)

 

[moa999]

But I'm not sure expecting domestic J to be the same as International J is entirely realistic.

And TPE-HKG is a 2hr flight.

KUL-SIN is probably a better comparison..

While you might get something decent on SQ J, on MH J I got a cold vegetarian salad bread roll in plastic, and a cup of water. No alcohol served on short MH J flights.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The use of trays still drives me mental, and then not even a table cloth for the snack, just eat off the dirty tray table! Argh! Make it make sense!

Not so much the meal tray but rather the size of the tray? QR TK uses trays but they're much bigger. And the plates QF uses for mains are too big for the tray.

And TPE-HKG is a 2hr flight.

KUL-SIN is probably a better comparison..

While you might get something decent on SQ J, on MH J I got a cold vegetarian salad bread roll in plastic, and a cup of water. No alcohol served on short MH J flights.

Even SQ is just a choice of cold noodles or a sarni: Review of Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur in Business Although the presentation is reasonable.

 

[RooFlyer]

Agree, it all looks way too cramped on the tray. I believe Qatar still has a tablecloth on the actual tray which makes it look less like a cafeteria…

QR only use (big) trays on short legs such as my recent DOH-JED and it looks like this.




No trays on long haul and it looks like this

 

[MEL_Traveller]

QR only use (big) trays on short legs such as my recent DOH-JED and it looks like this.


View attachment 497574

No trays on long haul and it looks like this

View attachment 497576

You’re right! My bad. I’ve edited my post to reflect it was TK, not QR. But I only remember ‘cause of your picture! (and my flight was only 36 hours ago ).

Which just goes to show I guess. Outside of F where you can get fast, individual service… this whole table setting in J is just a burden on crew, and i’m not sure what it adds.

TK’s trays are huge… same size as the table. And I really didn’t notice any difference between QR and TK.

 

[Justinf]

Mods please delete if not applicable.
Nordic Regional Oslo-Helsinki and return very recently. A 75-minute flight.
Of course QF wins with the hard product, but the meals are chalk and cheese. The first one is just ok but the brekky option in the second one was top notch.
It wouldn’t be that hard for QF surely?

 

[serfty]

And TPE-HKG is a 2hr flight.

KUL-SIN is probably a better comparison..

While you might get something decent on SQ J, on MH J I got a cold vegetarian salad bread roll in plastic, and a cup of water. No alcohol served on short MH J flights.

Distances

From	To	Distance
KUL	SIN	184 mi
MEL	SYD	439 mi
TPE	HKG	501 mi

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Mods please delete if not applicable.
Nordic Regional Oslo-Helsinki and return very recently. A 75-minute flight.
Of course QF wins with the hard product, but the meals are chalk and cheese. The first one is just ok but the brekky option in the second one was top notch.
It wouldn’t be that hard for QF surely?

View attachment 497585
View attachment 497586

The meals do look ‘fresh’ on AY, but it’s not that far different from QF, save for the addition of a small side dish. Which QF replaces with a cake or pastry.

AY is also making up for the difference in seating as you point out, and choices are restricted on many of those flights. No choice on AY for breakfast compared to three choices on QF, and while AY allows you to pre-order, if you’re flying last minute you don’t get that luxury for lunch or dinner.

I often think that it’s the familiarity with Qantas that gets the flak. Whereas we fly other carriers less frequently, so everything is new and different, There are plenty of complaints by frequent flyers on AY, BA and others where they’re sick of the food!

 

[RooFlyer]

this whole table setting in J is just a burden on crew, and i’m not sure what it adds.

QR dine on demand helps spread the workload of providing meals.

People can be the judge of what it adds (and bringing the thread back to QF!)

QR





QF 42 CGK-SYD, same trip.

Satay skewers



Beef bolognese. Dry on top, nice underneath.

 

[Justinf]

The meals do look ‘fresh’ on AY, but it’s not that far different from QF, save for the addition of a small side dish. Which QF replaces with a cake or pastry.

AY is also making up for the difference in seating as you point out, and choices are restricted on many of those flights. No choice on AY for breakfast compared to three choices on QF, and while AY allows you to pre-order, if you’re flying last minute you don’t get that luxury for lunch or dinner.

I often think that it’s the familiarity with Qantas that gets the flak. Whereas we fly other carriers less frequently, so everything is new and different, There are plenty of complaints by frequent flyers on AY, BA and others where they’re sick of the food!

That’s actually a very fair point.

 

[RooFlyer]

I often think that it’s the familiarity with Qantas that gets the flak. Whereas we fly other carriers less frequently, so everything is new and different, There are plenty of complaints by frequent flyers on AY, BA and others where they’re sick of the food!

As it happens. I'm the inverse - in the past 12 months or so, about 12 QR J flights to the recent 2 on QF. No complaints from me re QR meals.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

QR dine on demand helps spread the workload of providing meals.

People can be the judge of what it adds (and bringing the thread back to QF!)

QR

View attachment 497596

View attachment 497591

QF 42 CGK-SYD, same trip.

Satay skewers

View attachment 497592

Beef bolognese. Dry on top, nice underneath.

View attachment 497593

The difference is the crockery! One setting looks fresh and plenty of ‘white space’, the other is somewhat boring. I’ll take substance over style.

Dine on demand means less break time for the crew, it means longer wait times if people decide to spread out their eating as you can’t bulk prepare the food, It means more noise in the cabin (for the ‘what cheeses me off’ thread… the pax next to me clattering their cutlery and scraping their plates very loudly… an English couple in their 50s!)

I’d prefer to have my crew rested for the critical stages of flight than spending time in the galley!