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

[MEL_Traveller]

Many years ago I picked up a copy of the Qantas staff magazine. (can't remember where... might have been a lounge somewhere) Anyway - one of the questions on the Q&A page was something like: 'I present the passenger with their drink but don't always include a serviette. Do i have to?'

The answer was along the lines of 'Qantas is a premium airline and a serviette is always used when serving a drink. This sets us apart from our competitors'.

Wonder what they will be writing now with a meal in a box?

 

[under the radar]

Which of course would be a strong argument for keeping the tray.....

....so you would ONLY accept the EXACT meal if it was served on a tray???..that's your 'issue' ..not the airlines....god forbid if your favourite 'eating establishment' decides to change their mode of presentation

 

[power71]

nice to see they kept the ice-cream in the freezer whilst you ate the main meal. The least they could have done is brought is around on a later drinks service!?!

And here is the LCC's Y-class offering. JQi DPS-MEL on 18th December.

Quite good chicken rice! Coffee and tea also available.

Note: it's on a tray.

And note that the meal is essentially free for QF WPs and above. Buying the $50 Plus pack gets you the meal, a standard seat selection and (for DPS-MEL) 5,444 QFF points and 25 SCs. (mmm an odd number of SCs...).

View attachment 21859

 

[Austman]

nice to see they kept the ice-cream in the freezer whilst you ate the main meal. The least they could have done is brought is around on a later drinks service!?!

Actually that part worked very well! They did the same on MEL-DPS and the ice cream needed 10-15 mins to thaw.

Meals were served one-by-one from the galley with the hot food really hot and the cold food really cold!

What didn't work so well was the pay-for drinks service (eg for wine, beer). That came only after all meals had been served and was payable only with a CC - which took ages. Some pax had problems with their cards which took ca 5 mins to resolve. Multiply that by 4 or 5 and you'll see what I mean.

 

[docjames]

....so you would ONLY accept the EXACT meal if it was served on a tray???..that's your 'issue' ..not the airlines....god forbid if your favourite 'eating establishment' decides to change their mode of presentation

Don't take your frustration out on me or put words in my mouth.

If you read an earlier post of mine you'll see I have no problem with the cardboard box but its the contents that are important.

The point I was making is if its that easy to dupe the pax into thinking its better food with a tray, then surely sensible business practice would be to serve on a tray.

To those saying QF advertise "meals" you may want to check it actually is advertised as "food". Subtle but significant difference. The "meal" aspect comes into certain timed departures as designated "meal" flights.

 

[BAM1748]

Many years ago I picked up a copy of the Qantas staff magazine. (can't remember where... might have been a lounge somewhere) Anyway - one of the questions on the Q&A page was something like: 'I present the passenger with their drink but don't always include a serviette. Do i have to?'

The answer was along the lines of 'Qantas is a premium airline and a serviette is always used when serving a drink. This sets us apart from our competitors'.

Wonder what they will be writing now with a meal in a box?

Yes, looking forward to the "no food" meal service to set them apart from other airlines. (they are almost there now with some of the snack offerings I've had) :mrgreen:

 

[jdp]

Three flights this week. One ADL-SYD J with Eggs Benedict on French Toast - didn't like it, odd metallic taste and runny eggs on a plane? Had to eat very carefully to avoid getting any on me with the reclined old 737 seats.

One SYD-MEL Y with the box poached chicken pasta salad. Liked it a lot with crunchy celery. The lettuce ended up all down the bottom of the box and a bit hard to get at but overall the best Y meal I've had in a while.

One MEL-ADL Y with the box poached chicken potato salad. Nice to start then just way too much potato. Chicken was badly butchered before cooking meaning there were bits that shouldn't have still been attached.

 

[under the radar]

Don't take your frustration out on me or put words in my mouth.

If you read an earlier post of mine you'll see I have no problem with the cardboard box but its the contents that are important.

The point I was making is if its that easy to dupe the pax into thinking its better food with a tray, then surely sensible business practice would be to serve on a tray.

To those saying QF advertise "meals" you may want to check it actually is advertised as "food". Subtle but significant difference. The "meal" aspect comes into certain timed departures as designated "meal" flights.

a 'meal' ' breakfast' 'lunch' 'dinner' 'snack' 'refreshnent' blah blah..... .. maybe ALL airlines should 'dumb it down' to a blanket 'food' description across the board..

 

[Austman]

Should we split this thread into two?

One for international services and the other for domestic.

Probably serfty. The OP started this with a QFi issue. But it soon turned into a QF(any) issue.

 

[docjames]

a 'meal' ' breakfast' 'lunch' 'dinner' 'snack' 'refreshnent' blah blah..... .. maybe ALL airlines should 'dumb it down' to a blanket 'food' description across the board..

There's actually a difference.

6pm or 7pm flight most will want something a bit more substantial as its too early for dinner pre-departure, too late for dinner on arrival.

3pm or 4pm it's less important and a snack (or indeed nothing) is what most people want.


Now there's also an argument that with decent food options in the airport, or lounge, then "significant" food (meal) is not really necessary.

 

[under the radar]

Probably serfty. The OP started this with a QFi issue. But it soon turned into a QF(any) issue.

as it always does... and always will.. QF bashing is a 'national sport'.... and if not QF....they will turn to VA and 'bash' them...if not VA.. then 'bash' the next available airline.....it;s a sad fact of life

 

[elbarto]

as it always does... and always will.. QF bashing is a 'national sport'.... and if not QF....they will turn to VA and 'bash' them...if not VA.. then 'bash' the next available airline.....it;s a sad fact of life

I never see any VA bashing outside of this forum. Seems the world thinks their **** smells like roses.

 

[under the radar]

There's actually a difference.

6pm or 7pm flight most will want something a bit more substantial as its too early for dinner pre-departure, too late for dinner on arrival.

3pm or 4pm it's less important and a snack (or indeed nothing) is what most people want.


Now there's also an argument that with decent food options in the airport, or lounge, then "significant" food (meal) is not really necessary.

again .....thats YOUR 'perception' ... you can hardly expect an airline to get it 'right' for 50..100..200..300 pax....peoples eating habits/times vary widely ...airlines just try to accommodate as best they can...if you have an eating establishment that you frequent 'on the ground' that doesnt offer a 6-7pm meal at 3-4pm or for that matter...any other tme!! do you whinge/complain??

 

[tomo69]

Like one of these bad boys? I don't mind QF going down the path of JL and serving KFC onboard, although I suspect a large proportion here would object to that idea
View attachment 21855

It would be heaps better than the terrible packs we are served on QantasLink flights containing a dry chorizo & cheese muffin, bag of apple slices , and a single crispello chocolate!

Same pack containing the same things almost every time

 

[MEL_Traveller]

as it always does... and always will.. QF bashing is a 'national sport'.... and if not QF....they will turn to VA and 'bash' them...if not VA.. then 'bash' the next available airline.....it;s a sad fact of life

Qantas bashing is not a sport!

I recently complimented Qantas on a fantastic flight. But unfortunately that was in the minority.

Other airlines aren't banging on in the press about how hardly done by they are, but then REFUSE to address concerns.

 

[under the radar]

It would be heaps better than the terrible packs we are served on QantasLink flights containing a dry chorizo & cheese muffin, bag of apple slices , and a single crispello chocolate!

Same pack containing the same things almost every time[/QUOTE

sinple.....fly another airline on that route....

 

[Ansett]

It would be heaps better than the terrible packs we are served on QantasLink flights containing a dry chorizo & cheese muffin, bag of apple slices , and a single crispello chocolate!

Same pack containing the same things almost every time[/QUOTE

sinple.....fly another airline on that route....

And if there is no other option?

 

[JohnK]

Now there's also an argument that with decent food options in the airport, or lounge, then "significant" food (meal) is not really necessary.

Airport food is so expensive. Where did I see a sandwich for $8-$9 or was it more.

 

[11sjw]

Perth, easily!

 

[docjames]

again .....thats YOUR 'perception' ... you can hardly expect an airline to get it 'right' for 50..100..200..300 pax....peoples eating habits/times vary widely ...airlines just try to accommodate as best they can...if you have an eating establishment that you frequent 'on the ground' that doesnt offer a 6-7pm meal at 3-4pm or for that matter...any other tme!! do you whinge/complain??

There are plenty of places that have "limited service hours". If you don't like it, you go elsewhere. As there is choice in the airline market (albeit limited).

Again, I'm not sure why you are attacking me (using caps and !!s could be considered yelling). I have merely highlighted the different points of view on this subject.


I agree with you - you can't please everyone all the time. But there are societal "norms" that will cover a significant proportion. Dinner commencing 6-8pm (in Australia) would (imo) be one such "norm".