Qantas Introduces Select on Q-Eat (Trial)

[Wunala Dreaming]

Qantas Introduces Select on Q-Eat

7 September 2012

Qantas is launching its ‘Select on Q-Eat’ pilot, a new online meal selection service for International Business customers. From 8 September, customers in International Business will be able to pre-select their meals from the current inflight menu, along with additional dishes exclusively available online.

Customers travelling in Business will be invited via email to make their supper selection through the ‘Select on Q-Eat’ website up to 24 hours before departure. The email invitation will be sent to all Business customers who have an email address in their booking three days prior to travel. Customers can access the website at selectonq.qantas.com.

The service will be piloted on flights from Los Angeles to Australia on QF12, QF16, QF94 and QF108 and we will look to extend its application across a wider range of our services.

‘Select on Q-Eat’ is the first of a number of enhancements we are making to provide our International Business travellers with greater choice and control and the highest levels of comfort and luxury.

Source

 

[MrJetset]

Hmmm... Sounds more like making catering more precise to save costs, which makes sense.

BA are notorious for only catering 1 meal per pax, even in F, so if you don't get served first, you may not get what you wish.

 

[anat0l]

So basically it's a bit like Book The Cook and similar services.

SQ BTC has been a boon to many flyers used to SQ's premium services (I doubt QF will have Lobster Thermidore, so stop dreaming), though that said it is also well known amongst FFers that if you BTC with SQ, switching out once on board (e.g. deciding against your BTC selection and going with onboard choices) is fraught with risk.

So yes there will be risks of short catering (or "precise" yet inaccurate catering), but hopefully those in the know (and assuming supply works) will judiciously use this service when and if it works properly.

Seems to be only for supper for the pilot. I suppose this also works nicely (if the manifest is prepared correctly) as the supper service can be provided faster, which means more time for sleep / anything else, and less time stuffing (pun intended) around eating late at night.

 

[serfty]

Ex LAX only for the pilot.

As posted its a bit underwhelming being supper only.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[anat0l]

Ex LAX only for the pilot.

That's cruel - he'll probably have a bathroom all to himself 'cos of you! :mrgreen:


Sorry, couldn't help it.....

 

[serfty]

... the pilot program ...

... this pilot ...


Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[yo yo ma]

This sounds like a good service once the teething problems get sorted... if expanded, it will reduce problems like the one below occuring.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....flyer-program/disappointing-qantas-42988.html

 

[Standby]

Back in the 80's TAA on SYDPER had a product called Silver Swan. They'd ring you the day prior when travelling Dom First class on the evening service,tell you what the menu was, and take your order. I remember my dad used to love the Lobster tail.
Its sort of taking the special meal option to a new level except not restricted to all those yucky healthy options

 

[VHOEJ]

Should have been done years ago - and hopefully the pilot goes well. It would allow more people to get what they want, and reduces wastage. Win win for everyone.

 

[Hvr]

Ex LAX only for the pilot.

.

That's cruel - he'll probably have a bathroom all to himself 'cos of you! :mrgreen:


Sorry, couldn't help it.....

I wonder if jb747 knew this was going to happen and that is why he avoids LAX where ever possible?

 

[zachary.august]

I wonder if it will be opened up to F.

 

[anat0l]

I wonder if it will be opened up to F.

Probably not for the pilot program as alluded to by the OP, but may well be in time. That said, probably the biggest value for F would be if you could access dishes that were not normally offered on the menu (e.g. either not at all, or due to seasonality).

 

[zachary.august]

Perhaps opt-in for the tasting menu ~72 hours in advance and therefore open it up to all routes?

 

[Simo]

Just wondering do other airlines do this as well.

Wondering why it is only flights from LAX.

 

[Deleted member]

I think it's a good idea. Execution will be the key


It is I, Leclerc !

 

[anat0l]

Just wondering do other airlines do this as well.

SQ have a Book The Cook service for F and J pax which is similar.

MH I believe also have a similar service (Chef on Demand, I think it is called) for F and J.

TG also have this service.

OZ have a similar service; you need to order the Chinese or Korean meal in F in advance if you want them on your flight, otherwise you will be left with the Western options (even though your menu will show all three options).

UA allow J pax to pre-order the popular Japanese meal on such flights (I'm not sure if this is restricted to UA elites).

There's probably more airlines that have this service in some sort of capacity. It should be noted that frequently the service is ordinarily only offered from home bases.

 

[boylero]

off to NRT tomorrow night will be interted to see the email, however I am vegan so probably wont apply to me anyhoo

 

[Shelf]

off to NRT tomorrow night will be interted to see the email, however I am vegan so probably wont apply to me anyhoo

I see this as a benefit for those who (like myself) have certain meal requests.

 

[Mal]

off to NRT tomorrow night will be interted to see the email, however I am vegan so probably wont apply to me anyhoo

I don't believe it is being trialled on NRT flights - only flights from LAX.

 

[boylero]

oh so it is, need to improve my reading skills