Qantas extends pre-flight meal ordering to all international passengers
By David Flynn, September 13 2013
Qantas is extending its business class advance meal selection service to travellers in premium economy and economy, allowing passengers to choose their inflight meals online before they even step on the plane.
Already available in business class on select flights, the Select on Q-Eat program will be “progressively rolled out to all international flights on which Premium Economy is offered”, the airline says, including “customers travelling internationally in Economy from late 2013.”
Premium economy passengers on flights from Dallas To Australia departing from September 16th can place their orders online as of today; from September 16th this will also include all flights from Los Angeles to Australia departing from September 23rd.
Qantas says that in October the service will also be available on all flights between Australia, London and Dubai.
Travellers can pre-order their meal between seven days and 12 hours prior to departure via the ‘Manage Your Booking’ option at qantas.com, and will find an additional dish available as an online exclusive on select routes.
Qantas is also extending Select on Q-Eat to additional business class routes. From today, business class passengers on flights from Narita, Shanghai, Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta and Honolulu to Australia are all able to confirm their meal choice prior to flying.
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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
10 May 2011
Total posts 732
Nice one QF! Nice they are also extending the servcie for business class passengers on their Asia routes.
They are probably the first and only airline who gives Y passengers the ability to pre-order meals (apart from the special dietary / religious meals one can pre-order). I am curious to know whether the quality of the pre-ordered meals is better than the standard fare (esp in Y). Anybody who has expereince with this?
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
Agreed!
The salad option across the Pacific in Y is so much better than those sludgy stews. QF should introduce them for all international flights, now that you can order in advance.
And how about a hot breakfast option without sausage or bacon. Who needs all that nitrate anyway? I know bacon is suppose to be fashionable right now but I'd rather not clog my arteries.
Or perhaps the option for a fruit platter (FPML) for breakfast and a normal one for lunch/dinner/supper?
02 Dec 2011
Total posts 47
I've been happy with the preorder J food. I agree nice one QF
09 Sep 2012
Total posts 139
Some routes to Asia only, going on the article.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
I'm inclined to suspect the Asian destinations (and HNL) were listed specifically because they do not fall under the group of QFi flights with W product offering, as these use 2-class B767s (HNL) and A330s (the rest).
The only other Asian destinations that QFi have on their own metal are SIN and HKG, and these have W product (using B747s - all of which have W - on at least one service ex-Australia), and would fall under the "all international flights on which Premium Economy is offered" category.
I therefore conclude that the statements and article claim that Select on Q-Eat would be rolled out across the entire QFi Asian network.
25 Jun 2013
Total posts 43
Well you do realise they probably won't put extra crew on to handle all the requests and you will be well and truly finished your meal before you get a drink to wash it down with.. Recent flight from London to Dubai crew were delivering the special meals and the couple in front asked for a drink and they were told the drinks will come with the main trolley.45 mins later that trolley arrived..
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
I suggest that's the crew being lazy. Some proactive ones would ask what pax with special meal want to drink when their tray is brought to them. But unfortunately it's vey hit and miss.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Why do you need "extra crew on to handle all the requests"?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Mar 2012
Total posts 211
A good initiative, based on providing a point of difference and hopefully reflecting a improved customer service focus
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
21 Aug 2013
Total posts 138
'Christine" from QFFF service centre checked with 'Tron' (unsure whether she is simply Asian, or related to the computer) in Res and both confirmed that the extension of Select On Q Eat to economy is not correct. It is available aparently only for PREMIUM economy and up, but not for the main economy cabin, as it would be "a logistical nightmare".
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
Quoting from the Qantas press release of Sept 12th: "Select on Q-Eat will be extended to customers travelling internationally in Economy from late 2013." I'd suggest that 'Christine' and 'Tron' are not fully across this.
And when you think about it, it does make sense to pre-order meals in economy if possible. More accurate loading of meals based on pre-flight ordering should vastly cut down on wastage as well as helping ensure that you get what you want, instead of being told that the chicken and beef proved very popular today so all that's left is the fish.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
21 Aug 2013
Total posts 138
I read the media release too (having a degree in PR it was the first thing I went to after the phone call ended) and confirm what you're saying. I have tweeted @QantasAirways and will reply with their response once received.
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