Qantas catering

[onemore]

On Melbourne cup day I was on a flight from Melbourne to Sydney in business class, the aircraft is a 737 and there is 12 pax up the front.

The first 2 rows were served a meal, being a total of 8 meals, and then that was it, the only thing left was corn soup.

Now I am not being precious or anything like that but it begs the question, how hard is it logistically to supply meals for 12 people?

Maybe, just maybe everyone from the catering section was at Flemington.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

That is very common. I don't sit in 1A or 1F for an ego stroke, it's to ensure my choice of meal. Pretty much the only time you'll see a meal choice loaded to 100% (i.e. to match the number of pax) would be on a lightly loaded flight. It keeps the shareholders happy.

 

[kermatu]

Happens all the time, on most airlines to be fair.

There have been reports of the passenger in 1F (ie the 4th person to be served) not getting their choice.

It is ridiculous. Probably saves maximum $20 a flight. Adds up to probably enough to keep the shareholders and bean-counters happy, as GC340 says.

 

[onemore]

I was also thinking that maybe it’s another enhancement.

 

[kermatu]

Been an issue for as long as I've been regularly flying J on Qantas - maybe 6+ years. Some members here talk about more complete and polished meals but that's referring back about 20 years I reckon to the old Ansett and Qantas/TAA days (I think).

Breakfasts can be better - I've been on flights where there are 12 (in the case of a 737 or 717 service) hot breakfasts.

 

[mannej]

Isn’t Soup considered a “small” plate and a “big” plate for the purposes of catering.

 

[kermatu]

Not necessarily. Can be a large bowl and count as one of the larger plates. Also depends on the time of the flight and whether it's a full meal flight or just a refreshment.

 

[Silvia]

I don't like row 1, but it seems that even by the time they get to row 2, all that is left is either soup or a sad salad.
Last month from BNE-MEL, my neighbour opted to get a meal from economy as there was only soup left.
I'm flying tonight to Sydney and tomorrow back to Melbourne, both on row 2 around similar time (dinner). Will be interesting to see what happens meal wise.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I always try and get 1A for that very reason, first choice of the meals,

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Isn’t Soup considered a “small” plate and a “big” plate for the purposes of catering.

Not when you’re on a 737 short hop like ADL-SYD.

 

[onemore]

Seeing I am paying for these flights out of of my pocket I expect something better, or are my expectations too high as far as qantas goes?

 

[RooFlyer]

Seeing I am paying for these flights out of of my pocket I expect something better, or are my expectations too high as far as qantas goes?

Yes. The key words being " as far as Qantas goes".

 

[Silvia]

The catering is a consistent issue even in international catering. So many times I've seen the crew taking WP orders first to provide their choice, leaving upgraded or paid J customers with a second or third choice.

I think with the 737s domestically speaking, it becomes more evident as the length of the flight is not long enough and the cabin is smaller. The fact that they don't even bother to cater enough for 12 passengers is embarrassing.

 

[Pushka]

I must say I had really nice meals on my recent jaunt. In row 2 and always a choice. Having said that many people did not have a meal. They seem to ask seats A and B before D and E. So sit on that side as well as front rows.

 

[onemore]

I must say I had really nice meals on my recent jaunt. In row 2 and always a choice. Having said that many people did not have a meal. They seem to ask seats A and B before D and E. So sit on that side as well as front rows.

Did they not have a meal because they had run out of meals?

 

[GoldCanyon340]

The catering is a consistent issue even in international catering. So many times I've seen the crew taking WP orders first to provide their choice, leaving upgraded or paid J customers with a second or third choice.

WP passengers are paid J passengers too.

 

[kermatu]

Seeing I am paying for these flights out of of my pocket I expect something better, or are my expectations too high as far as qantas goes?

It's a fair point, but not at all new. You should provide feedback however. While you'll just get a generic nothing response via email, I still hope someone pays attention to feedback if enough people complain. Always a good idea to (very politely) express your disappointment to the crew member serving you (in J it will be the CSM). I believe they provide a report on any issues raise in the flight.

 

[onemore]

WP passengers are paid J passengers too.

I am WP and a paying passenger, so I reckon that Qantas does not discrimate, just terrible service for all.

 

[kermatu]

I must say I had really nice meals on my recent jaunt. In row 2 and always a choice. Having said that many people did not have a meal. They seem to ask seats A and B before D and E. So sit on that side as well as front rows.

Usually AC then DF, but I have seen the opposite (especially if a short flight and D or F already have their tray tables out!).

When the FAs start taking orders from CLs and WPs that may be behind row 1 (including me, I must admit) you know there'll be a shortage.

 

[Silvia]

WP passengers are paid J passengers too.

Yes, totally agree, don't get me wrong, but some times WP passengers would have paid the economy flex fare and secured an upgrade.
Again, no one to blame, other than the lack of catering from QF.
I've been successful a few times internationally for an upgrade (SG), and even last year was offered my preferred meal in PE over my partner who was Silver at the time. To be honest, I found it pretty poor, we both paid exactly the same, and with Xmas prices to South America, it wasn't cheap at all.

Regardless of being a paid customer, upgraded with your hard earnt points or a reward seat, this shouldn't affect the availability of meals. I would like to think that part of why I'm paying or redeeming points is because you will get good quality, which QF is definitely not delivering catering wise.
This is an issue that you wouldn't see in other airlines like SQ, QR, even VA.