Qantas Catering Major Improvements Ahead

[Ansett]

During a recent call back from a QF Manager we discussed the issue of current catering and it appears that QF have recognised that it is need of improvement.

It was stated that meals will be changing and for the better with around a 30% increase in the meal size, not sure if that is the whole meal or the actual individual components. There are going to be more choices from what I could gather.

I for one sincerely hope that QF does lift its game as it is rather inadequate at the moment for a premium airline.

And please don't Torch me I am only reporting back what I was told.

 

[moa999]

Back to the future with Boxes:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ntas-moving-boxed-dinners-domestic-62474.html

 

[Blackswan]

About time. I flew PER-MEL-PER in J last week - and was disappointed by the catering. Gourmet Hot Dogs as a main? What makes a hotdog gourmet?

Dessert was pathetic - A slice of Rocky Road on a napkin to MEL, a date slice in a patty pan from MEL. Both the size of a fifty cent piece. No cheese nor fruit. Even Y got ice creams.

 

[mannej]

About time. I flew PER-MEL-PER in J last week - and was disappointed by the catering. Gourmet Hot Dogs as a main? What makes a hotdog gourmet?

Dessert was pathetic - A slice of Rocky Road on a napkin to MEL, a date slice in a patty pan from MEL. Both the size of a fifty cent piece. No cheese nor fruit. Even Y got ice creams.

The few times I have had dessert on the MEL-PER, the fruit has always been on request.

 

[MelUser]

Perhaps the way to test J catering is to say:

"Please bring me everything that you have available "on request" as I'm trying to see what is actually available"

 

[UP4014]

When you've run it down by the death of a thousand cuts I guess the only change of direction is up.

I support and defend QF and wonder why sometimes when they make faux improvements and blow their own trumpet with a media release announcing nothing much.

Let's hope they do actually improve on board and in the lounges. I really hope they do.

Matt

 

[OATEK]

About time. I flew PER-MEL-PER in J last week - and was disappointed by the catering. Gourmet Hot Dogs as a main? What makes a hotdog gourmet?

Dessert was pathetic - A slice of Rocky Road on a napkin to MEL, a date slice in a patty pan from MEL. Both the size of a fifty cent piece. No cheese nor fruit. Even Y got ice creams.

Of my last 6 J flights, I think I got that little pear pudding 5 times! I'm over it.

 

[JessicaTam]

During a recent call back from a QF Manager we discussed the issue of current catering and it appears that QF have recognised that it is need of improvement.

It was stated that meals will be changing and for the better with around a 30% increase in the meal size, not sure if that is the whole meal or the actual individual components. There are going to be more choices from what I could gather.

I for one sincerely hope that QF does lift its game as it is rather inadequate at the moment for a premium airline.

And please don't Torch me I am only reporting back what I was told.

Was your conversation about domestic or international catering?

 

[amaroo]

The afternoon tea biscuits they pass out down the back of the bus are pretty good. The doughy plastic rubbish in the morning is terrible......the lounge breakfast isn't much better.

 

[DrA]

Anything would be an improvement over the VGML's that aren't actually VGML.

If they can't deliver them, then don't offer it as an option in the first place.

 

[MelUser]

On that point - I quite like Vegetarian Oriental - its a spicey vegetarian meal. QF do it very well internationally (especially in F) but domestically it never gets made properly (in J) - sometimes it's the vegan option and other times it just doesn't get loaded. I think they should perhaps reduce domestic options to those they can do and internationally keep the larger variety.

 

[amaroo]

A client has given me a tip of pre-ordering Hindu meals as they will either be Lamb or Fish :!: Sounds like a decent plan....

 

[JessicaTam]

On that point - I quite like Vegetarian Oriental - its a spicey vegetarian meal. QF do it very well internationally (especially in F) but domestically it never gets made properly (in J) - sometimes it's the vegan option and other times it just doesn't get loaded. I think they should perhaps reduce domestic options to those they can do and internationally keep the larger variety.

[soap box]
The Oriental Vegetarian is the AVML (Asian Vegetarian). It is QF's goto meal to (dis)satisfy all manner of dietary types. Vego, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, variety free.
[/soap box]

 

[TheRealTMA]

A client has given me a tip of pre-ordering Hindu meals as they will either be Lamb or Fish :!: Sounds like a decent plan....

Sounds like excellent policy on the part of Qantas. Why can't I preorder bacon for breakfast in F or J on flights to Europe?

 

[amaroo]

Sounds like excellent policy on the part of Qantas. Why can't I preorder bacon for breakfast in F or J on flights to Europe?

LOL I agree. But that's a whole lot of other issues that's already been done to death in other threads.....for the record - I think it's a total crock and Un-Australian!

 

[Ansett]

Was your conversation about domestic or international catering?

Hi Jessica my conversation was in relation to an International flight and also a recent domestic flight. It appears that meals are changing both domestic and International.

On a separate point a friend travelling with us to the Brisbane last week ordered a Gluten Free Meal and whilst it was a snack service she was served exactly the same as every one else, the cheese box with Dry biscuits that contain Gluten. We asked about the Gluten Free meal or snack that had been ordered and the FA just looked dumb and shrugged her shoulders and said well that's all we have do you want it or not?

 

[MelUser]

Was the friend in economy or business class?

In economy domestically Qantas only accepts a special meal around traditional meal times.

You will know once you put the meal request in and it sticks - check via classic checkmy trip, not the cluttered new MMB. If it isn't in the booking then it can't be fulfilled.

But, as I was saying earlier even in business class the more exotic special meal requests like "Asian Vegetarian/Oriental Vegeterian" are not filled domestically. It is better to pick a more traditional special meal like Vegan Vegeterian. - in fact on AA Vegetarian is Vegan to try and keep everyone happy with one meal.

Best Vegan business class meals though are found on Finnair in business class - they beat QF's in First!

 

[Ansett]

Hi our Friend was in economy and meal showed as Gluten Free. The main point is that QF talk about a meal or food or snack as part of the ticket, they offer special meals for those with dietary requirements yet fail to offer anything suitable on snack services. Our friend feels she was not given what she was expecting and that QF failed.

 

[JMFK]

Of my last 6 J flights, I think I got that little pear pudding 5 times! I'm over it.

Hahaha! Had this last night. I was over it too!

 

[DrA]

Hi our Friend was in economy and meal showed as Gluten Free. The main point is that QF talk about a meal or food or snack as part of the ticket, they offer special meals for those with dietary requirements yet fail to offer anything suitable on snack services. Our friend feels she was not given what she was expecting and that QF failed.

To be honest, this is not just a QF issue. I've had ongoing issues with every major airline when it comes to getting a vegan meal (VGML) - from economy, to business, to first. Half the time I get given an ovo-lacto vegetarian meal (VOML), and the crew genuinely don't seem to grasp the difference between the two. They're not much different to the general population really, I always seem to have to explain what vegan means - as opposed to vegetarian. And no, I can't just eat the VOML just this once. But even if the crew don't know the difference, the catering company should! It baffles me how I end up with Kit Kats, Godiva chocolates, scrambled eggs, salmon, butter, full cream yogurt, croissants...