Should Qantas follow BA and move to 'buy on board' meals in economy on short flights?

24 replies

Tim Saunders

Member since 13 Sep 2016

Total posts 30

BA's decision to remove free meals in economy on short-haul flights under around 5 hours, and replace them with 'buy on board' options, has caused predictable outrage in the UK. But what if Qantas was to do the same, on domestic Australian flights and possibly trans-Tasman flights too?

I don't see the need for any type of meal or snack on a short flight, certainly not on the east coast. If there was an option to buy a lower priced economy fare with only carry-on luggage and no meal I reckon that could be very popular with a lot of travellers, including business travellers who can eat in the lounge and are just hand-luggage only.

Maybe Qantas would still need to do free economy meals on east-west routes, and maybe on other routes they could offer a free meal & drink to Platinum frequent flyers as some form of status recognition. What does everybody here think?

Poll: Should Qantas axe free snacks or meals in economy on short domestic flights?

sgb

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

Member since 30 Nov 2015

Total posts 419

Gee, a full service airline with no service at all for Y, interesting prospect.

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

"If there was an option to buy a lower priced economy fare with only carry-on luggage and no meal I reckon that could be very popular with a lot of travellers" - otherwise known as Jetstar. :P

sgb

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

Member since 30 Nov 2015

Total posts 419

"If there was an option to buy a lower priced economy fare with only carry-on luggage and no meal I reckon that could be very popular with a lot of travellers" - otherwise known as Jetstar.


That's why some fly Qantas for the so called still attached frills of real yesteryear flying.

Last editedby Chris C. at Jun 09, 2020, 10:51 AM.

princess fiona

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Dec 2012

Total posts 6

ChrisCh has nailed it there. Anything which complicates the expected service that QF travelers get depending on routes, days of the week, fare types etc. will lead to confusion and disappointment.

markpk

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 29 Nov 2013

Total posts 459

Qantas has tested this change a number of times via their regular flyer panel surveys. I'm assuming that given they heavily prompted the most recent changes to menus and meal sizes that most loyal flyers still rate the inclusion of a meal as fundamentally important. 


Whilst I agree with the sentiment that we should be able to survive a 1-2hr flight without a meal, there are times when my day has been quite chaotic and the meal service on the way home has been appreciated...

tarmac

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 Oct 2015

Total posts 2

It can work for BA since they don't really have a direct subsidiary LCC unlike QF, VA, LH, SQ, etc.


Problem with the 'Yes, if the airfare comes down too' option is that there's a truckload of empirical evidence out there that shows this never happens.

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

Only if we had M&S Food Halls in Australia, selling high quality, good value  cold sandwiches and ready meals. There are presently no retailers in Australia with similar offerings. The sandwiches at Coles and Woolies are overpriced and substandard. 

krisdude

Air New Zealand - Airpoints

Member since 21 Jan 2016

Total posts 28

QF should adopt NZ's 'fare/seat to suit' model which works very well for NZ and the passengers, for domestic with Australia and international flights from Australia that are 2 to 5 hours in duration. International flights over 5 hours complimentary food services in all classes.

The 'Fare/Seat to Suit' model actually saves NZ money.

Domestic flights within Australia 45 minutes to 2 hours offer tea/coffee/water and light snack.

traveller99

Member since 18 Nov 2015

Total posts 119

Only if we had M&S Food Halls in Australia, selling high quality, good value  

Exactly.  Once you go through security at our airports, the food is overpriced and not conducive to take on board.  In contrast, at M&S you can get pre-packaged fruit, sandwiches, yoghurt+granola etc etc.  

Serg

QFF

Member since 12 Apr 2013

Total posts 1,008

"If there was an option to buy a lower priced economy fare with only carry-on luggage and no meal I reckon that could be very popular with a lot of travellers" - otherwise known as Jetstar.


It is only partially true. Many routes not "doubled-up" and either JetStar only or Qantas only. Worst example that I am aware of (though not related to discussion) is MEL-BKK route. Other example MEL-CHC.

Last editedby Chris C. at Jun 09, 2020, 10:51 AM.

sgb

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

Member since 30 Nov 2015

Total posts 419

Only if we had M&S Food Halls in Australia, selling high quality, good value  cold sandwiches and ready meals. There are presently no retailers in Australia with similar offerings. The sandwiches at Coles and Woolies are overpriced and substandard. 


Oh but they are about to open David Jones stand alone food stores again in Sydney and Melbourne, (remember Foodchain), DJ's sinking 100M in next three years, in relationship with Neil Perry. They should do a good sandwich for $10.00.

barecub

QF

Member since 27 Jul 2016

Total posts 21

does anyone else question that a 5 hour flight is consdered short haul?

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

Only if we had M&S Food Halls in Australia, selling high quality, good value  cold sandwiches and ready meals. There are presently no retailers in Australia with similar offerings. The sandwiches at Coles and Woolies are overpriced and substandard. 


Oh but they are about to open David Jones stand alone food stores again in Sydney and Melbourne, (remember Foodchain), DJ's sinking 100M in next three years, in relationship with Neil Perry. They should do a good sandwich for $10.00.

I'm not convinced. M&S is an institution. David Jones isn't - it's a Selfridges wannabe. Having a 'celebrity' chef inspired sandwich range does not even come close to the consistent and non-flashy offerings of M&S.

MKS11

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 05 Oct 2016

Total posts 72

QF should adopt NZ's 'fare/seat to suit' model which works very well for NZ and the passengers, for domestic with Australia and international flights from Australia that are 2 to 5 hours in duration. International flights over 5 hours complimentary food services in all classes.

The 'Fare/Seat to Suit' model actually saves NZ money.

Domestic flights within Australia 45 minutes to 2 hours offer tea/coffee/water and light snack.

Yeah and NZ internal flights are generally a lot more expensive than internal AU flights, sometimes at least double...

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