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

[Aussie_flyer]

doesn't really go with matching up with EK's product then which I thought they were trying to do somewhat

 

[Robbi]

doesn't really go with matching up with EK's product then which I thought they were trying to do somewhat

I quite liked the QANTAS meals on my multitude of EU flights until I flew EK on same route and realised the QF meals and presentation were just not quite up to the same standard. I am going back in Feb. on QF, so see how it pans out, but sounds very very cheap in comparison.

 

[Isochronous]

If it is only a trial, we need to swamp them with negative feedback so they don't expand it. Sounds like an awful idea.

 

[openseat]

Meanwhile on their YouTube channel we find Qantas trying to prove how premium they are with the "Its about..." series of ads. This one is the laughable one given this trayless trial: It's about the finest dining in the land. - YouTube

 

[Must...Fly!]

I am reserving judgement until I experience this myself or we get some solid images and details on what this actually entails.

 

[JessicaTam]

I agree with Must...Fly! and will hold off on an opinion until I try it myself (or at least see a photo or three).

Doesn't sound promising, though.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Is the trail only on QF1/2 or is it across the whole international network?

If I have to make a guess, I think it would be something similar to a KFC box meal. Once the pax is done, rather than having to clean the tray later, just dump the whole lot into rubbish. And I guess there's less spillage, rather than balancing a tray, you're just handing out a lunch box.

 

[Bjet]

Qantas had that "no tray" meals already 10 years ago in the domestic flight. I remember it was a white square box.

 

[adrianb]

I had this trayless experience on Thursday night from SYD-MEL. After arriving at the DOM business lounge around 5:15 for a 6:30 flight and planning to have dinner there and being disappointed that no hot food was on offer (apart from soup and about half the ingredients to make a toasted sandwich) until about 6:05 I figured I'd eat the on-board meal.

When it came it was a poached chicken salad in a plastic box. The chicken was 3 oval-shaped slices of some kind of chicken loaf with some distinguishable chunks in it. The salad was 3 cos lettuce leaves lining the bottom of the tray with some cherry tomatoes and that sort of thing across the top. The dressing was a light and creamy mayo based dressing I think.

The meal was really underwhelming and totally not in-line with the image of a premium airline - it was very reminiscent of the Jetstar Asia meal I had when a plus pack was purchased. As well as the meal being fairly lacklustre, it removes any sense of 'service' from the experience - rather than having a tray prepped and placed in front of you, you're handed a box and some plastic cutlery with the drinks following on a 2nd cart. Not to mention the lack of the cheese/crackers and the chocolate which were a nice finisher to the usual meal.

Being one of those fortunate enough to have lounge access and usually using it to eat before flights this isn't a massive issue for me but if I was paying the premium for a QF fare on the basis of better service and the inclusion of a meal I'd be feeling very disappointed by this.

I agree with the assessments of this as yet another 'enhancement' of QF service and seeming very much like a race to the bottom.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Qantas had that "no tray" meals already 10 years ago in the domestic flight. I remember it was a white square box.

Those domestic Y meals, launched in 2001, were the responsibility of a QF executive who has gone on to do rather well at another airline.

 

[Ansett]

Those domestic Y meals, launched in 2001, were the responsibility of a QF executive who has gone on to do rather well at another airline.

On short domestic flights then it is appropriate however on Long haul International 14 hour flight I would say NO not appropriate.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

On short domestic flights then it is appropriate however on Long haul International 14 hour flight I would say NO not appropriate.

No disagreement from me on either of those points.

 

[Kangol]

If I have to make a guess, I think it would be something similar to a KFC box meal. Once the pax is done, rather than having to clean the tray later, just dump the whole lot into rubbish. And I guess there's less spillage, rather than balancing a tray, you're just handing out a lunch box.

Like on QFLink?

 

[drron]

It comes like this.

View attachment 21528

Ah,QF's latest celebrity chef's meal.
The David Boon breakfast!

 

[drewbles]

doesn't really go with matching up with EK's product then which I thought they were trying to do somewhat

They're just getting ready for then EK buys them and turns QF into their LCC

 

[rotor]

Is this the new Qantas Mark II?

Obviously this could cut costs, but I don't think people fly Qantas because the food is good - there is more to the meal service than the actual consumables. The theatre is just as important, though given the attitudes of some of the crew they obviously don't get that anyway.

I wouldn't describe it as premium.

 

[Hvr]

I had the new box meal for breakfast on 14 Dec MEL-SYD.

The box contained some yoghurt and nuts which I put into the yoghurt. There was also a bran muffin and the cutlery.

It was actually quite a tasty little meal and equal to other breakfasts I've had on short flights. Definitely better than the cafe breakfasts I've had on international flights.

Drinks, i.e. coffee, tea or water were served separately as per previous process.

 

[Steady]

I had this trayless experience on Thursday night from SYD-MEL. After arriving at the DOM business lounge around 5:15 for a 6:30 flight and planning to have dinner there and being disappointed that no hot food was on offer (apart from soup and about half the ingredients to make a toasted sandwich) until about 6:05 I figured I'd eat the on-board meal.

When it came it was a poached chicken salad in a plastic box. The chicken was 3 oval-shaped slices of some kind of chicken loaf with some distinguishable chunks in it. The salad was 3 cos lettuce leaves lining the bottom of the tray with some cherry tomatoes and that sort of thing across the top. The dressing was a light and creamy mayo based dressing I think.

The meal was really underwhelming and totally not in-line with the image of a premium airline - it was very reminiscent of the Jetstar Asia meal I had when a plus pack was purchased. As well as the meal being fairly lacklustre, it removes any sense of 'service' from the experience - rather than having a tray prepped and placed in front of you, you're handed a box and some plastic cutlery with the drinks following on a 2nd cart. Not to mention the lack of the cheese/crackers and the chocolate which were a nice finisher to the usual meal.

Being one of those fortunate enough to have lounge access and usually using it to eat before flights this isn't a massive issue for me but if I was paying the premium for a QF fare on the basis of better service and the inclusion of a meal I'd be feeling very disappointed by this.

I agree with the assessments of this as yet another 'enhancement' of QF service and seeming very much like a race to the bottom.

I had this same tray-less meal served up on QF839 DRW - MEL last Thursday 12th except there were only 2 of the chicken medallions about the diameter of a 50c piece. I fly on Qantaslink a fair bit and their boxed meals are much better IMO than that offering and I found it disappointing to say the least. (They even charge for a glass of wine ) I also fly MEL - PER regularly and cannot believe the inconsistency between the two legs of similar duration and cost. I think I have just been seeing Qantas through transcontinental tinted glasses for the last few years.

 

[jpk]

I had the chicken pasta salad on Friday night SYD-MEL. The QP food options had been enhanced away (no olives, cold meats, cheese triangles, crackers etc - just sandwich fillings and some toasted sandwich makers that I haven't seen there before). So i was starving when I got on board, and seeing the new dinner box I was rather underwhelmed. It smelt like cost-cutting, both in lounge and on board.

That said, it actually tasted ok, and is probably fresher than the previous frozen tv dinner style meals. Some pics:

 

[Aussie_flyer]

God if they are putting that in front of people on Darwin -Melbourne sectors they have got to be kidding. That should be a full hot meal tray service