Qantas says it will deliver ‘international dining’ on all transcontinental flights to Perth this month.
As first revealed last month on Australian Business Traveller, the new east-west business class menu will be based on Qantas' latest international menu designed by Aussie superchef Neil Perry, who says the new service “will blow the competition out of the water.”
Sydney-Perth, Melbourne-Perth and Brisbane-Perth flights will be built around a range of of small and main plates as well as ‘small bite’ starters, although flights from Perth will continue to offer Qantas' standard inflight fare.
The new business class dining service, to be introduced in late May, will also see the removal of tray-service, with each course separately plated and served to passengers.
Each flight will carry two small plates, five main plates and the option of a ‘small bite’ to start, but “passengers can choose what they want and when they want it” said Qantas Domestic CEO Lyell Strambi.
“If customers don’t feel like a three course dining experience a choice in plate sizes means they can design a menu to match their appetite.”
A Qantas spokeswoman confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that passengers seeking a lighter inflight meal can skip the main and order more than one small plate, for example.
"You can tailor your food to your appetite by mixing and matching the different plate sizes available. That can include two small plates, a small and two main plates for example."
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Aug 2012
Total posts 130
This sounds like a real improvement to the domestic dining experience onboard QF. Great job Qantas!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Jul 2012
Total posts 11
They already do a three course meal trans continent, so that 'benefit' is a little doubtful; however, the variation in terms of both choice and size looks good.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
Unofrtunately, I'll take a better seat over an improved menu anyday.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Aug 2012
Total posts 130
I guess they are working on that at the moment with the planned upgrades to the A330s. However, it will take some time before the new product is rolled out.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
Yep, some time equals months (or was it two years)..meantime than you VA
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
23 May 2012
Total posts 268
Finally, Qantas feels the impact and reacts to the coast-to-coast battle. I will be flying Qantas to Perth in August so I hope that this service will be ready. I recently bought most of my east-west travel tickets with Virgin Australia to see (and report) the acquisition and rebranding of Skywest.
It's really good to see the competition heat up!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 May 2012
Total posts 371
Can AUSBT find out a menu what they are offering.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
Hi driley28 - if we can get a PDF of the menu for this we'll certainly share it online. Otherwise, we'll detail the specific courses once they're 'out there' or from the launch event.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
Hopefully, improvements over the utterly unmemorable J class BNE-PER-BNE flights I took a couple of months ago.
OOhh, maybe it'll include the tasting plates discussed elsewhere (suitably rationed per passenger of course).
Congratulations VA for forcing service improvements through competition.
15 Aug 2011
Total posts 33
Yes Qantas after years and years and years of giving your loyal faithful guest below par service and product. You are finally playing catch up.........BRAVO Hash Tag Getting there...........Maybe.
04 Nov 2010
Total posts 670
Hang on a tick! Qantas is serving up 'international standard' meals in business class only on flights TO Perth, not in the other direction? So basically only half of the route is getting this upgrade, on the way back from Perth you get the 'old' food serving?
Pretty miserable effort, when Virgin Australia has consistently good food in both directions!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 May 2013
Total posts 1
Qantas trialled the menu in Business Class on a flight I undertook last month from Perth. They gave us a survey form to fill out just before landing. Neither myself nor fellow passenger were impressed with the process. The staff were great trying to cope with the process. There is no set meal time so you order what you want for your main from the galley and they bring it out separately one at a time. If your fellow passenger is asleep or trying to sleep when you are hungry then tough luck for them.
Overall not impressed with either the food offered nor the process.
Would rather travel business with Virgin for seating, service and meals on this sector anytime.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
David, did you ask how many small plates passengers are allowed? It would be really helpful if you'd report the details which reveal the real commitment of the airlines to provide service rather than once again just the spiel from the QF PR machine
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
PLATY: Settle down, mate. We have asked that question, and have yet to hear back.
Somrthing else you might like to know: QF sent out this release (quite deliberately!) in the middle of the Virgin Australia regional press conference in Perth with John Borghetti & Richard Branson. Yes, when I was pretty busy as it was. So consider it a decent feat that AusBT managed to get the story up in a very timely manner at all (in fact, we were still first with it), and that once again we reported the story so that readers can add their 2c worth. So go easy on taking pot shots from the sidelines.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
Happy to do that, David, in return for FACTS rather than QF PR !!! Kinda what makes a journalist!
As stated previously, AusBT is doing a great job...
19 Mar 2013
Total posts 38
Geez PLATY, you say AusBT is great but you complain about it being QF PR and insult the editor who writes the stories. Make your mind up or better yet, start your own website and see how far you get.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
I dunno, JamesM, the editor specifically asked for my opinion. So when you or David don't like my opinion it becomes an insult? Ridiculous!
My purpose is NOT to take pot shots or to insult the editor or anyone else.
I would personally welcome articles which present balanced fact (and that doesn't have to mean an anti or pro QF stance as some other poster (somewhat insultingly) automatically accused me of) instead of regurgitating content which is reproduced from a a press release manicured by the very able good folk in the QF PR department.
So to the case in point. Small plates and international dining on PER flights all good. BUT where's the catch? If the flight is undercatered it's all a nonsense for a $2000 fare.
Your comment about starting my own website with the attendant assumption of failure could itself be construed as insulting!
No I'm not interested in starting my own website and I repeat my appreciateion for the team at AusBT and for what it's worth I do earn a very handsome living as an editor/writer.
Don't you want to read a little more than the standard Qf PR line?!
At the end of the day it's just my personal perception!!!
Yes,I think AusBt is dping great job. There's lots of fatastic information and that is spread across many airlines and ogher travel issues.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
PLATY: QF PR came back to me this morning to advise that you can order more than one small plate, if you just want that option for the lighter meal. Article updated with that info and QF PR quote.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
Thanks, David, that's great news!
26 May 2011
Total posts 62
Platy, EVERY comment you post on Qantas is negative. Surely this should be seen as a postive? Will you heap negatives on the airline when they introduce the new A330 seat/bed too?
You talk about David being so pro QF and the QF spin. I seem to recall a VA competition here recently, which was more like a VA advertising campaign for how amazing their product is. I'd say the reporting here is pretty balanced.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
Thanks, Daniell, but you are putting your words against my name. Firstly, I have referred elsewhere to good things in QF, including, for example, the cabin crew and referred to giving them frequent praise.
I have not suggested David is pro QF either. ALL I am saying is it would be good to scratch below the surface of the material churned out by the QF PR machine.
Sure product innovation is to be welcomed...individual opinions will differ as to whether they are beneficial.
26 May 2011
Total posts 62
Every company has a PR machine, not just Qantas. It was a quote attrbuted to Alan Joyce and reported here as such.
Perhaps having an open mind to enhancements/changes may be useful. If they then don't work, by all means, voice your concerns or take your business elsewhere. I was VERY sceptical about QF's automated check in kiosks, but have to say I now think they're very convenient. I'm pretty sure the airline isn't introducing this as a way to alienate their customers.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
Yes, of course numerous companies have PR machines, but that doesn't obviate the potential benefit of having a questionning approach when presented with content thus generated.
Of course a quote from Joyce is simply that.
BUT, for example, if the figures churned out don't stack, it is not an unreasonable step for a journalist (generally speaking - I'm not talking about David) to embark upon independent inquiry.
That is part of having an open mind, is it not?
13 May 2013
Total posts 1
Qantas new menu. What a dreadful insult. What a rip off. I expect a well presented meal in business class as this is what I am paying for NOT snack food and Poor snack at that. I wish to travel with an airline that is not treating me like a cash cow. What was Neil Perrys brief ? It would seem to save qantas money not to enhance service. I advise all not to fly qantas. Sad for us that have been used as guinea pigs at our cost. Even sadder in 2 weeks I have nothing to look forward to on my return trip to Melbourne.
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