Meal priority in Int'l AC J... SE, then paid J, then...?

[gtpdiddy]

Was on AC872 and noticed several J pax got asked meal preference when the 77W pulled back, which I know were SEs. Then the SD moved steadily along the aisle and by the time he got to row 11, they might have run out of the salmon. Thankfully, they did have a salmon available for my selection after double checking. This has been discussed before here on FT but is there a "row advantage" to get meal preference? I like row 11 on the 77W b/c it's more private and less noisy than the other J seats.

Just curious what others think.
GT

[Jasper2009]

Afaik the priority for taking meal orders is:

1. SEs
2. all other J pax (regardless of how they got there)
3. pax with a ML*1 on their BP (usually pax who are upgraded at the gate)

Some FAs also do the following:

1. SEs
2. Es and maybe Ps and *G
3. all other J pax
4. pax with ML*1 on their BP

So yes, there´s a slight disadvantage of sitting in the last row of J.

[canadatosiberia]

This is where ordering a special meal works. That way, if they get it right (a risk) at least you know what you are getting.

IMHO, upgraded pax should be last, even SE. If I pay $5-10k RT for a TPAC or TATL I expect choice over those on a T+ or Lat fare no matter where I sit. Well, maybe not the Lat as they can cost more than a Z fare, but it comes down to value for $. I am a jerk, though, so maybe that explains it.

[dave0823]

Originally Posted by Jasper2009

Afaik the priority for taking meal orders is:

1. SEs
2. all other J pax (regardless of how they got there)
3. pax with a ML*1 on their BP (usually pax who are upgraded at the gate)

Some FAs also do the following:

1. SEs
2. Es and maybe Ps and *G
3. all other J pax
4. pax with ML*1 on their BP

So yes, there´s a slight disadvantage of sitting in the last row of J.

What about a pax with Million Mile status? I haven't heard if this status is also factored into the meal order priority.

[kraftdinner_]

Originally Posted by canadatosiberia

IMHO, upgraded pax should be last, even SE. If I pay $5-10k RT for a TPAC or TATL I expect choice over those on a T+ or Lat fare no matter where I sit. Well, maybe not the Lat as they can cost more than a Z fare, but it comes down to value for $. I am a jerk, though, so maybe that explains it.

In the run of a year, SEs spend a lot more than $5-10k so should be prioritized over those who buy J once or twice a year. And if these people bought J more frequently, they'd have status too, so it's safe to say that SEs contribute to AC's bottom line more than paid J pax without status, and hence should be prioritized first.

[IluvSQ]

MM counts for NOTHING other than lifetime E status.
You may get acknowledged by the crew ( although less and less now that MM is
no longer a novelty), but you are not entitled to anything other than the model
airplane and lifetime E status.

[global_happy_traveller]

dogs
cats
rabbits
birds
fishes

who's next?

[morphius909]

Originally Posted by canadatosiberia

This is where ordering a special meal works. That way, if they get it right (a risk) at least you know what you are getting.

IMHO, upgraded pax should be last, even SE. If I pay $5-10k RT for a TPAC or TATL I expect choice over those on a T+ or Lat fare no matter where I sit. Well, maybe not the Lat as they can cost more than a Z fare, but it comes down to value for $. I am a jerk, though, so maybe that explains it.

Don't throw tomatoes at me but..

Even in a full J Cabin..as an Upgraded E...I am usually the first few who gets asked my meal choice.

Maybe because I'm handsome

[ridefar]

Originally Posted by canadatosiberia

This is where ordering a special meal works. That way, if they get it right (a risk) at least you know what you are getting.

IMHO, upgraded pax should be last, even SE. If I pay $5-10k RT for a TPAC or TATL I expect choice over those on a T+ or Lat fare no matter where I sit. Well, maybe not the Lat as they can cost more than a Z fare, but it comes down to value for $. I am a jerk, though, so maybe that explains it.

Even as a SE and MM, who is almost always in J on an upgrade or a reward, I agree with you.

[Away from YYZ]

IIRC I have read it somewhere in FT isn't also depends on the flight is eastbound or westbound they 'suppose' to start from back or front?

[canadatosiberia]

Originally Posted by morphius909

Don't throw tomatoes at me but..

Even in a full J Cabin..as an Upgraded E...I am usually the first few who gets asked my meal choice.

Maybe because I'm handsome

And here I thought it was only me, haha. I rarewly upgrade NA flights, as most planes to YQR are single cabin, but I have experienced this domestically. I think SE-s need to be appreciated, even though I will likely never be one. But I also think you need to coddle your big spenders on a particular flught. Some balance is good.

[drdrma]

Originally Posted by morphius909

...
Even in a full J Cabin..as an Upgraded E...I am usually the first few who gets asked my meal choice.
...

Route?

fwiw, gate upgrade is ml*1, other upgrades are not.

[Braindrain]

Sometimes it doesn't matter who's first if you don't know what you're ordering. One time, a seatmate of mine was telling his buddies in the back that risotto was a kind of "pasta".

None of his buddies knew, either.

[YYZFlyboy]

I agree that SE's should be first (like it is) but it's a bit annoying when your on a paid J ticket and don't get your choice of meal.

It recently happened to me LHR>YYZ, I was sitting in a back row and was dead last to be asked (E on a J ticket) and didn't get my choice, needless to say I was a bit miffed.

I think even upgraded staff got to pick before me!!! (I think the SD was just lazy and couldn't be arsed to do it in proper order because staff are definitely supposed to be last so I'm told).

I was going to say something to the SD but thought better of it. In the end I got over it quickly, not worth fretting about but was annoyed at the time.

[ACYYZ/SD]

Add VIP Status and MM's to Line 1.