What onboard catering do we really want?
It depends on where I'm sitting and the length of the flight.
Under 4 hours I don't want anything except maybe a few glasses of water.
Over 4 hours and sitting up the front then a good cooked meal with wine and bread selection is required.
Over 4 hours and down the back and I only want water and an edible sandwich.
When BA's catering people went on strike their service improved considerable - you were given a voucher so that you can eat a meal in comfort at the terminal and thus were not pinned into your seat for an hour after eating because no one was collecting the trays and on board you had a sandwich which was placed into the seat pocket should you be asleep so that you didn't miss out.
Under 4 hours I don't want anything except maybe a few glasses of water.
Over 4 hours and sitting up the front then a good cooked meal with wine and bread selection is required.
Over 4 hours and down the back and I only want water and an edible sandwich.
When BA's catering people went on strike their service improved considerable - you were given a voucher so that you can eat a meal in comfort at the terminal and thus were not pinned into your seat for an hour after eating because no one was collecting the trays and on board you had a sandwich which was placed into the seat pocket should you be asleep so that you didn't miss out.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: London
Age: 70
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like dried fruit as a snack to keep in my bag - it holds up well in almost all conditions. I fly a lot on US and the food now, even on the international flights, is pretty poor - especially the snack before arrival. For domestic flights w/i the US I do try to pick up a salad or something in the terminal (and fill my traveling mug with tea), but it isn't always possible, and for people who don't fly very often it can be really tricky to find something they can eat if they're having to take several flights.
On a typical LGW-PHL flight these days I take a bag of dried fruit and a couple of homemade cheese scones because otherwise I spend most of the flight hungry. I really think as a paying passenger I shouldn't have to do this. I could see the argument for buying meals if there really were much of a choice, but when I've been on flights with BOB meals, they've always been largely overpriced junk food. And - and this is a real problem - even these meals have run out before everyone who was hungry was served.
A system that let passengers choose and book meals in advance would be worth paying for, though. Perhaps the more knowledgeable folks here can say whether that would be feasible.
wg
On a typical LGW-PHL flight these days I take a bag of dried fruit and a couple of homemade cheese scones because otherwise I spend most of the flight hungry. I really think as a paying passenger I shouldn't have to do this. I could see the argument for buying meals if there really were much of a choice, but when I've been on flights with BOB meals, they've always been largely overpriced junk food. And - and this is a real problem - even these meals have run out before everyone who was hungry was served.
A system that let passengers choose and book meals in advance would be worth paying for, though. Perhaps the more knowledgeable folks here can say whether that would be feasible.
wg
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: UK/Philippines/Italy
Age: 73
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back in another life, I used to fly about twice a month on Dan Dare from Inverness to Heathrow. Terrific food which included salmon steaks etc all served hot. Rumoured to have been provided by local hotel.
RIP
RIP
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: EDDS
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I fly long-haul to South Asia frequently (twice a month). What truly puzzles me and is really beginning to brown me off is why European carriers based in countries with a commendable level of local cuisine increasingly try to fob pax off with Indian food. I shudder at the mention of "veg or non-veg" instead of "would you prefer the beef or the chicken". Last time I checked, veg food was available to anyone as a special meal request.
Ok, we all know that going out for a curry is one of the cheapest culinary experiences, but forcing cost-cutting down my throat so blatantly is embarrassing.
I would much prefer a tasty low-cost Western meal. For example, I don't understand why LH on a recent flight from FRA to BOM offered chicken teriyaki instead of keeping with the ongoing Oktoberfest theme and dishing up ox meat or sausages with mash.
Ok, we all know that going out for a curry is one of the cheapest culinary experiences, but forcing cost-cutting down my throat so blatantly is embarrassing.
I would much prefer a tasty low-cost Western meal. For example, I don't understand why LH on a recent flight from FRA to BOM offered chicken teriyaki instead of keeping with the ongoing Oktoberfest theme and dishing up ox meat or sausages with mash.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: South London
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What Happened to Breakfast?
Some of the replies posted are making me raise a wry smile. Out to New York on BA117 earlier this year. First flight out, crack of dawn. Expecting to be served a hot breakfast at 9.30am but no. Choice of Fish Pie and something which we were advised not to have! Good customer service in a roundabout fashion but what happened to breakfast? Surely the meal service should be in sync with normal dietary habits?
Another example. BA to Tokyo, lunch then breakfast after a 'night' flight. I know the airlines push the meal service to local time, but a light sandwich (all day Deli) would have been more appropriate.
Shouldn't grumble too much. FlyBe tomorrow; bugger all unless one pays!
Another example. BA to Tokyo, lunch then breakfast after a 'night' flight. I know the airlines push the meal service to local time, but a light sandwich (all day Deli) would have been more appropriate.
Shouldn't grumble too much. FlyBe tomorrow; bugger all unless one pays!
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stockport
Age: 84
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If someone else is paying, its always easier to have the price of on-board food included in the price of the ticket - one less thing to bother about in the expenses claim. Also, whether or not paying myself, it is much easier not to have to dig out cash or a CC when in a cramped seat and with seatbelt fastened.
35 years or so ago when I flew fairly frequently between GLA or EDI and LHR, the cooked breakfast was always enjoyable and filled the time in nicely. Unfortunately, when Tridents replaced Vanguards the shorter flight time meant that there was not enough eating time, so the quality of meals reduced.
Today, I like something warm, like the panini that BA used to produce (and may still do so) on early morning departures, rather better than the cold sandwiches and that appear later in the day.
I rarely get to ride anywhere near the front on longhaul these days, but find the food acceptable most of the time. I do have a preference, though, for multiple small bottles of wine, rather than single glasses at a time from the big bottle on the cart.
35 years or so ago when I flew fairly frequently between GLA or EDI and LHR, the cooked breakfast was always enjoyable and filled the time in nicely. Unfortunately, when Tridents replaced Vanguards the shorter flight time meant that there was not enough eating time, so the quality of meals reduced.
Today, I like something warm, like the panini that BA used to produce (and may still do so) on early morning departures, rather better than the cold sandwiches and that appear later in the day.
I rarely get to ride anywhere near the front on longhaul these days, but find the food acceptable most of the time. I do have a preference, though, for multiple small bottles of wine, rather than single glasses at a time from the big bottle on the cart.
I'm from the old school and prefer "proper" inflight meals and catering. Surprisingly, when there's a fine choice between carriers (because time of departure/return is king to me) I find I always tend to the carrier with the better catering.
An 08.00 departure means often getting up at 04.30, and not a moment for anything to eat (especially at airports where half the early security shift have not turned up for work), whereas you are guaranteed an hour or so in the aircraft to have something pleasant. Same with hot food and a drink coming home in the evening, which I'll reach long after Mrs WHBM
has eaten (ever notice that on routes with two end-of-day departures it's the civil servants who are coming home nicely on time, on the 16.15 and us poor commercial world lot who fill the 19.30 ?).
I too get annoyed with BA serving all Indian food on London-Chennai. After a week of the stuff over there and being cheered, as ever, by the sight of the BA tailfin colours at the gate, it's a real downer to be offered "Chicken curry" or "Vegetable curry". It's bad enough getting the same on the outbound.
I regularly take Rossiya, a smaller Russian carrier, between London and St Petersburg. From the 737 galley they manage to come up wth full meals, starters, hot main courses, little desserts, cold beer, wines (alas not Georgian any longer !), coffee with chocolates, etc. All for half the Y-class fare BA charge, but what I really like about them is their service. Oh, always on time as well.
An 08.00 departure means often getting up at 04.30, and not a moment for anything to eat (especially at airports where half the early security shift have not turned up for work), whereas you are guaranteed an hour or so in the aircraft to have something pleasant. Same with hot food and a drink coming home in the evening, which I'll reach long after Mrs WHBM
has eaten (ever notice that on routes with two end-of-day departures it's the civil servants who are coming home nicely on time, on the 16.15 and us poor commercial world lot who fill the 19.30 ?).I too get annoyed with BA serving all Indian food on London-Chennai. After a week of the stuff over there and being cheered, as ever, by the sight of the BA tailfin colours at the gate, it's a real downer to be offered "Chicken curry" or "Vegetable curry". It's bad enough getting the same on the outbound.
I regularly take Rossiya, a smaller Russian carrier, between London and St Petersburg. From the 737 galley they manage to come up wth full meals, starters, hot main courses, little desserts, cold beer, wines (alas not Georgian any longer !), coffee with chocolates, etc. All for half the Y-class fare BA charge, but what I really like about them is their service. Oh, always on time as well.
