How many meals are taken on board a flight?

[dede]

Does anyone know how many meals are taken on board an average International flight? I ask because I've never not been able to get my choice of meal and wonder how many extra meals are on board?

 

[Evan]

Never ??
Thats amazing since they do have extras and QF are very good at guessing the ratio's, other airlines like SQ are hopeless !
Also it generally helps if you sit up the front of economy. unless your on a 744 or maybe the 380's where they also start one cart from the back.

I would guess on a standard flight they would load maybe 10 or 12 extras but i honestly have no idea thats just a guess.

 

[dede]

I've usually been sitting somewhere where there are a lot more people to get meals after me, so just lucky I guess.

 

[milehighclub]

Economy class is catered to the passenger load

Business class is over catered
On a full A380 there are about 85-90 meals for 72 passengers

First is also over catered
On a lunch or dinner service taking account of the main meal only (including tasting menu) there would be about 25 meals for 14 passengers

 

[Voyages]

Also it generally helps if you sit up the front of economy. unless your on a 744 or maybe the 380's where they also start one cart from the back.

When I was on QF9 last month, they started breakfast from the middle of the wHY cabin. Meaning, ppl sitting in the front didn't get their preferred choice.

 

[harvyk]

It would depend on which airline your flying with.

I have always gotten my choice of meal (I usually fly QF), though Mrs Harvyk has been on a few NZ flights where there was no choice.

I'd say they are pretty good at guessing the loads and the meals and which ones will be popular...

 

[purplegez]

It was a few years ago so can't remember all the facts, like whether I was flying to Perth (or from Perth) to/from Sydney or Melbourne - but it was definitely with QANTAS.

Anyway, there were three of us travelling (a work trip) and we were somewhere in the middle of the plane and they ran out of breakfast! The rows in front and behind all got food, but nothing for us. The FA said she would TRY and get us something from business class and about 10 minutes later returned with a bread roll or two. It has only happened once but has stuck in my memory.

Now I always ensure I am sitting towards the front of the plane.

 

[MissBurrill]

It was a few years ago so can't remember all the facts, like whether I was flying to Perth (or from Perth) to/from Sydney or Melbourne - but it was definitely with QANTAS.

Anyway, there were three of us travelling (a work trip) and we were somewhere in the middle of the plane and they ran out of breakfast! The rows in front and behind all got food, but nothing for us. The FA said she would TRY and get us something from business class and about 10 minutes later returned with a bread roll or two. It has only happened once but has stuck in my memory.

Now I always ensure I am sitting towards the front of the plane.

That happened flying back from Hawaii with a friend a few years ago. He missed out and was given part of a Business breakfast and a bottle of wine.

 

[purplegez]

That happened flying back from Hawaii with a friend a few years ago. He missed out and was given part of a Business breakfast and a bottle of wine.

Dammit!!! I never thought to ask for wine!!

 

[Zulaiha]

huh, I thought only Etihad do run out of choices when it comes to food for people on boad that lucky enough to be served last

at least I had never experience where no food at all been served (better knock the wood as my trip is coming this coming tuesday)!

 

[Evan]

huh, I thought only Etihad do run out of choices when it comes to food for people on boad that lucky enough to be served last

at least I had never experience where no food at all been served (better knock the wood as my trip is coming this coming tuesday)!

Add SQ to that list with poor estimates of choices sometimes.

No food i have had once, but we knew it at the gate and it was a replacement aircraft so it was wiat for it to be loaded or just go !, go was the only logical choice, food was not important on the shortish flight.

 

[purplegez]

Actually I have had no food at all too. I had forgotten. The other posts have reminded me.

In Broome, awaiting the late arrival of the flight from Perth, for our homebound flight back to Perth, it was announced that there would be no food or alcohol available on our flight home as the revellers on the incoming flight had eaten and drunk the flight dry. We were advised to fill our empty stomachs at the cafe in the airport lounge before boarding!

 

[Zulaiha]

Add SQ to that list with poor estimates of choices sometimes.

No food i have had once, but we knew it at the gate and it was a replacement aircraft so it was wiat for it to be loaded or just go !, go was the only logical choice, food was not important on the shortish flight.

I can't really remember how long since we fly SQ? Probably about 12 yrs ago

When we live in NZ/Oz, we only took QF,DJ and Jet* now that we live here, we take Etihad and about to try Qatar one day.

 

[JohnK]

I would guess on a standard flight they would load maybe 10 or 12 extras but i honestly have no idea thats just a guess.

Assuming that the choice will be split half half. It is never easy to estimate how much of each meal to take onboard and I have been on many flights where they have run out of my preferred choice. Luckily most times there has been a decent alternative.

I refuse to eat fish on a flight, unless it is salmon in business class, and I would prefer lamb, beef and chicken if there is no other choice. I remember one time Qantas had run out of the lamb and there was only fish. I politely declined the offer of the fish dish and the flight attendant even went to the point of offering me her meal. I still refused and said it is OK no problem. She came back 10-15 minutes later with a main meal from business class.