What onboard catering do we really want?
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Join Date: Sep 2003
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What onboard catering do we really want?
Just looking for general comments.
Personally, on domestic and european shorthaul I am not looking for a full-tray catering service, but do appreciate good coffee, a snack and a bar service. And I prefer it in a real glass and prefer not having to have a pocket full of £ or € in change to pay for it.
What is your view? Do you prefer Food for Purchase ala easyJet/bmi - or catering ala BA/VLM ?
Personally, on domestic and european shorthaul I am not looking for a full-tray catering service, but do appreciate good coffee, a snack and a bar service. And I prefer it in a real glass and prefer not having to have a pocket full of £ or € in change to pay for it.
What is your view? Do you prefer Food for Purchase ala easyJet/bmi - or catering ala BA/VLM ?
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Depends on the time of day - any departure before 9.00am is enhanced by an offering of something hot (bacon roll, croissants etc) as it may not have been possible to eat before, or even after, arriving at the airport. Post 9.00am to around 5.00pm - just a drink. After 5.00pm - again a hot snack and/or sarnies. Assumes intra European flight no longer than 2.5-3 hours. Don't mind paying as most of my personal flights are on locos.
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Good question. Mind you, wanting something edible and flying in economy may be a contradiction in terms.
On shorthaul I'd like to see something more than a biscuit or muesli bar. A sandwich or roll is just fine - I don't need a whole plate of different stuff but it should appear to be more than an alibi for catering.
On some longhaul flights to North America in economy lately, the second meal has often been disgusting: a slice of microwave pizza in a box that tasted of the cardboard it was packed in; or a hotdog in a roll, both of which had the consistency of dog poo. Surely airlines can do better than this?
On shorthaul I'd like to see something more than a biscuit or muesli bar. A sandwich or roll is just fine - I don't need a whole plate of different stuff but it should appear to be more than an alibi for catering.
On some longhaul flights to North America in economy lately, the second meal has often been disgusting: a slice of microwave pizza in a box that tasted of the cardboard it was packed in; or a hotdog in a roll, both of which had the consistency of dog poo. Surely airlines can do better than this?
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I dont mind paying if the airline introduce a paybar claiming they are giving the "choice" to its customer but only if it does radically reduce the airfare. What I dont appreciate is airlines introducing a paybar under the claim that they are giving the customer the choice of what they pay for yet barely reducing fares at all!
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For business class, flights up to 3 hours
up to 0900 - hot breakfast
after 0900 - gourmet type sandwich (baguette or similar, Pret a Manger standard)
Too often, we are given small portions of something that would be nice if cooked in a restaurant, but fails in the air.
When travelling on business, there may not be time to eat on the ground, so a well made sandwich would fill a hole nicely.
up to 0900 - hot breakfast
after 0900 - gourmet type sandwich (baguette or similar, Pret a Manger standard)
Too often, we are given small portions of something that would be nice if cooked in a restaurant, but fails in the air.
When travelling on business, there may not be time to eat on the ground, so a well made sandwich would fill a hole nicely.
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Personally I take the inclusive meal.
Last year I flew a few times on BA from Newcastle to Washington Dulles - the fact I was given lunch on the domestic leg was a big plus for me. And the food wasn't bad at all - a choice of fairly high quality, freshly made sandwiches, a biscuit, and as much tea/coffee/fruit juice as you could chug! Much cheaper than eating at an airport too...
Last year I flew a few times on BA from Newcastle to Washington Dulles - the fact I was given lunch on the domestic leg was a big plus for me. And the food wasn't bad at all - a choice of fairly high quality, freshly made sandwiches, a biscuit, and as much tea/coffee/fruit juice as you could chug! Much cheaper than eating at an airport too...
Short haul - bacon sandwich, mug of strong tea
Medium haul - bacon sandwich, sausage sandwich, 2 x mugs of strong tea
Long haul - unless I'm up front don't try to serve anything fancy; mugs of soup, fruit, lots of sandwiches n such.
If I'm up front - by all means impress me with some flash nosh.
Oh and after many many flights the only alcohol to drink whilst flying in g n t and wine (though not together).
Medium haul - bacon sandwich, sausage sandwich, 2 x mugs of strong tea
Long haul - unless I'm up front don't try to serve anything fancy; mugs of soup, fruit, lots of sandwiches n such.
If I'm up front - by all means impress me with some flash nosh.
Oh and after many many flights the only alcohol to drink whilst flying in g n t and wine (though not together).
Too mean to buy a long personal title
And whatever the time of day, it's frequently impossible to have eaten anything for quite a period before boarding the aircraft. So the exact time of day shouldn't mean "no food".
I've got used to the pay-on-board concept, but it should be for short flights only (60-90 mins max). I always make sure that I have coins and small denomination banknotes [you can in any case pay with cc on most carriers]. Longer flights should offer complimentary food and drink appropriate to the length of flight.
Paxing All Over The World
I really don't think about it because I have planned food based on the ticket I have bought, the destination, duration, time of day, before airport and post airport journeys etc. If I have to buy on board - that's OK and I do. I will probably have had something in the lounge, especially if in Biz. But I just buy as and when I need, or wait for the flight. However, to allow for delays I always have a cereal bar in my bag. Sometimes, you get on board and are then delayed for an hour or more and a cereal bar is just the trick. Also, it will not melt if left in your bag for six trips before being eaten - although by that time, it may be reduced to a packet of crumbs!
Problems are all personal and related to certain allergies. If my neighbour is served powerful filter coffee (I remember a BMI breakfast in Biz out of LHR) and it wafts across my nose - it will make my stomach churn. Curry has the same effect so I sometimes have to hold a napkin over my nose until they have finished. But that is just life!
Am I the only one to have thought the All-Day Deli Bag was OK and did the job rather well?
(ducks behind the cart for protection)
Problems are all personal and related to certain allergies. If my neighbour is served powerful filter coffee (I remember a BMI breakfast in Biz out of LHR) and it wafts across my nose - it will make my stomach churn. Curry has the same effect so I sometimes have to hold a napkin over my nose until they have finished. But that is just life!
Am I the only one to have thought the All-Day Deli Bag was OK and did the job rather well?
(ducks behind the cart for protection)
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In the same way the long boozy lunch was left behind (mostly) sometime in the early nineties, I think business travel catering is perhaps becoming a bit fussy in this day and age. To be honest, I only eat it because it's there and served in a hospitable manner..so it would be rude not to. Especially the desserts...
Recently, I've quite enjoyed the coffee/tea and hot baguette served by Ryanair. I also feel I'm doing my bit for the invariably nice cabin crew who, I think, make a bit of money out of onboard sales and if I've only paid a few bob for the ticket, well what's a fiver or so for a meal?
So, if Virgin/BA offered similar food "free" with some fruit and choccy's, I think quite a few regular travellers would be happy enough.
Recently, I've quite enjoyed the coffee/tea and hot baguette served by Ryanair. I also feel I'm doing my bit for the invariably nice cabin crew who, I think, make a bit of money out of onboard sales and if I've only paid a few bob for the ticket, well what's a fiver or so for a meal?
So, if Virgin/BA offered similar food "free" with some fruit and choccy's, I think quite a few regular travellers would be happy enough.
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A coffee and a water, and I am fine on short haul.
Never got a real good snack with (sandwich, baguette etc...) when
traveling lowco or what some airlines claim is lowco, no matter if paid for it or not
Am already happy when the sandwich is just edible. And thats no complaint, because
you know what to expect when you take certain airlines.
As long as I get everything with a smile and in a polite manner everythings alright.
For long haul, well I dont do long haul often, but would expect something better than mentioned above, even in economy.
Keep smiling
Never got a real good snack with (sandwich, baguette etc...) when
traveling lowco or what some airlines claim is lowco, no matter if paid for it or not
Am already happy when the sandwich is just edible. And thats no complaint, because
you know what to expect when you take certain airlines.
As long as I get everything with a smile and in a polite manner everythings alright.
For long haul, well I dont do long haul often, but would expect something better than mentioned above, even in economy.
Keep smiling
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Talking shorthaul economy class, I actually prefer the choice offered by the locosts to the non-choice of the leagacy carriers. This is because to a degree it allows you to get what you want, rather than what a committee of managers back at HQ 6 months previously thought you might want.
It also keeps my 8 year old happy for a while, as we have the usual debate over what he wants (varies, but chocolate is a common theme) against what I think he should have.
Favourite is the cream tea on Flybe - OK the scone may not be fresh out of the oven, but the jam and dollop of clotted cream more than makes up for it.
It also keeps my 8 year old happy for a while, as we have the usual debate over what he wants (varies, but chocolate is a common theme) against what I think he should have.
Favourite is the cream tea on Flybe - OK the scone may not be fresh out of the oven, but the jam and dollop of clotted cream more than makes up for it.
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Sometime I like to bring my own food for long hauls. There are so many things that are perfectly yummy to eat even after six-seven hours in a plastic container. A great salade with nuts, a tasty "milanese beef"... what about your own selection of cheese and dessert.
Or even buy some of the good stuff at the airport or even better in a supermarket before, especially when leaving from Europe. Unpack, serve with a good wine, and enjoy 1st class treatment while flying coach.
I think whenever eating homemade or premium food of your taste, there is actually no better choice.
Or even buy some of the good stuff at the airport or even better in a supermarket before, especially when leaving from Europe. Unpack, serve with a good wine, and enjoy 1st class treatment while flying coach.
I think whenever eating homemade or premium food of your taste, there is actually no better choice.
Paxing All Over The World
el # As you may well know, some carriers do not allow you to bring your own food on drink on board, so check before leaving home.
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Paxboy, you would have had fun on the DXB-LHR flight I recently took with BA. Breakfast (0700 local-0400B) was described as 'early lunch' and was chicken curry. This was served with wine and coffee. Pre-landing snack served about midday BST was a bagel somewhere around the temperature of liquid nitrogen. I noticed that quite of lot of pax did not eat this so what was the point of it? On the way out to DXB, they served similar south pole fare shortly before landing at 0600 local. When we asked why they couldn't manage hot croissants we didn't really get much of a reply. I was asked to fill out a questionnaire and I mentioned the breakfast issue, but I shouldn't think much will happen. I have to say that it's usually a similar experience with BA. The facilities aren't much cop (terrible IFE for instance on 777 I was travelling on) but the crew are the best in the world and they are let down by materials they have to work with.
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A nice sarnie on a SH flight is always good. The BA sarnies are usually pretty good, but avoid the early morning "Panini's" they are horrid & soggy. A Nice bagel in the morning would be a better choice. They used to do a proper brekkie on the Shuttle flights, but I guess that was cut back (although the cost of the ticket hasn't been reduced)Flybe do some nice sarnies that are apparently made by James Martin, he must be a busy little lamb what with doing Saturday Kitchen I concur with the Roddha's Cream scone comment above.. yum! om nom nom nom
I concur with the Roddha's Cream scone comment above.. yum! om nom nom nom
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I wouldn't go to the extreme of saying BA crews are the best in the world, cause in my oppinion, they have a long way to go to come anywhere near the standards of singapore airlines crew. Now they are the crem da la creme!!! BA crews are moody and only there for the money, not for the love of the job. sorry if this offends, but they are not renound for world class excellence
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only there for the money, not for the love of the job
^^^ Offhand, I am pushed to think of anyone who does any job for any reason other than the money(!)
I don't fly on European LoCos that often, maybe once or twice a year, and I never have an issue with what's being offered for sale. The hot bacon sandwich I had once on an Easy Jet flight was perfectly acceptable and reasonably cheap as I recall.
Flights within Asia on SQ, SIN - CGK (1.5 hours) I can live without the meal, long haul in Business Class, well, I really want freshly panfried foie gras on a bed a caramalised apples in a port sauce, followed by steak flambe, followed by crepes Suzette, prefereably flambed in Cointreau, personally flambed at the seat by the cabin crew. Accompanied by a few glasses of vintage Dom, and a 1977 Petrus.
Or I could surf on over to the SQ website and "book the cook", which means I can choose my main meal ahead of the flight. Eliminates that agonising "chicken or beef, sir?" decision.
I don't fly on European LoCos that often, maybe once or twice a year, and I never have an issue with what's being offered for sale. The hot bacon sandwich I had once on an Easy Jet flight was perfectly acceptable and reasonably cheap as I recall.
Flights within Asia on SQ, SIN - CGK (1.5 hours) I can live without the meal, long haul in Business Class, well, I really want freshly panfried foie gras on a bed a caramalised apples in a port sauce, followed by steak flambe, followed by crepes Suzette, prefereably flambed in Cointreau, personally flambed at the seat by the cabin crew. Accompanied by a few glasses of vintage Dom, and a 1977 Petrus.
Or I could surf on over to the SQ website and "book the cook", which means I can choose my main meal ahead of the flight. Eliminates that agonising "chicken or beef, sir?" decision.