Qantas Frequent Flyer - What do vegetarians get served when the meal is vegetarian?

Might seem like a strange question, but given the rubbish soundtrack on Friday night's 462 service meant I had no other distraction, it got me wondering ...

1) If the meal fed to to the vast majority in Y is vegetarian (a very bland mush of "Penne with riccotta and sun-dried tomatoes" - perhaps one of the worse ever Y meals, susequently left in the tray) what are those with "vegetarian" as their option fed?

2) Why, oh why, can't airlines provide a "carnivore" option?

Regards,

BD

Sometimes the non vegetarian part of the meal is hidden - that cheesecake desert probably has gelatine in it so you'll find the vegetarian tray has a fruit salad instead.

I tend to get a lot of curry or vegetable and rice dinners, even when the main meal is veggie.

I wonder how many fewer special meals there would be if passengers were charged for a special meal? There are obviously costs involved with having a separate supply chain for special meals, so I don't think it's an unjustified extra charge.

I wonder how many fewer special meals there would be if passengers were charged for a special meal? There are obviously costs involved with having a separate supply chain for special meals, so I don't think it's an unjustified extra charge.

To charge differently for it may be discrimination.

I wonder how many fewer special meals there would be if passengers were charged for a special meal? There are obviously costs involved with having a separate supply chain for special meals, so I don't think it's an unjustified extra charge.

So would you expect a shirt of size 6XL to be more than size S? And should a "customer of size" pay more than a small person because of the kilogram uplift cost difference?

And what if a person depends on a special meal because of a life threatening allergy?

So would you expect a shirt of size 6XL to be more than size S? And should a "customer of size" pay more than a small person because of the kilogram uplift cost difference?

And what if a person depends on a special meal because of a life threatening allergy? I would expect a shirt that had to be specially made and prepared for me to cost more than the shirts sitting on the rack meant for anyone and everyone.

Dave

Might seem like a strange question, but given the rubbish soundtrack on Friday night's 462 service meant I had no other distraction, it got me wondering ...

1) If the meal fed to to the vast majority in Y is vegetarian (a very bland mush of "Penne with riccotta and sun-dried tomatoes" - perhaps one of the worse ever Y meals, susequently left in the tray) what are those with "vegetarian" as their option fed?



I had a similar meal on a dinner flight from MEL to SYD earlier this month but with pumpkin and spinach instead of ricotta and sun-dried tomatoes. Have to say though it was one of the better Y meals that I had on QFd. (The Thai chicken curry that I had last month from ADL to SYD was probably the best Y meal that I had on QFd).

As for the passengers who had ordered a 'vegetarian' meal, I guess what was served to them would depend on the 'type' of vegetarian meal they ordered. As an example, I have ordered an Asian vegetarian meal previously (to mix things up a bit) and was served braised tofu and mixed vegetables in oyster sauce.

I usually request Indian vegetarian (IVML) or Asian vegetarian meal (AVML) which I find a lot tastier than the bland pasta they usually serve as standard vegetarian meal (VGML).

Another advantage of ordering a special meal is that they serve you first 

I do not see Muslim or Jewish customers being happy if airlines slapped on charges for Kosher and Halal meals....

Perhaps on domestic, airlines could maybe reduce the number of meal options to save costs - e.g. is there a need to have Asian Vegetarian, Indian Vegetarian and Standard Vegetarian on a short flight?

I do not see Muslim or Jewish customers being happy if airlines slapped on charges for Kosher and Halal meals....


I don't think anyone is "happy" when there are extra charges for anything. But whenever there is a need for anything bespoke vs standard, then there are extra costs involved. In the new world of you get what you pay for, extra charges for special meals might become a reality.

I don't think anyone is "happy" when there are extra charges for anything. But whenever there is a need for anything bespoke vs standard, then there are extra costs involved. In the new world of you get what you pay for, extra charges for special meals might become a reality.

I think you'll get away more easily with charging for baggage or charging for counter check-in, rather than charging for passengers' religious beliefs.

It's the same thing with handicap access and maternal entitlements - it's rarely economical for businesses to provide them but it is socially unacceptable for them to not do so.

So would you expect a shirt of size 6XL to be more than size S? .......

Actually, I have seen this in the USA. I think it was jeans and "oversize" ones were dearer than the standard ones by around $15. First and only time, but then I'm not rooting around the XL and up racks normally! And I'm kind of in favour of oversized people paying extra to fly!

I'd like to see airlines publishing online their standard free meals on each route and then giving you the option of paying extra for a different option. KLM offer this in economy for most flights departing Amsterdam. (http://www.klm.com/travel/gb_en/prepare_for_travel/on_board/dining_on_board/alacarte_menu.htm)

2) Why, oh why, can't airlines provide a "carnivore" option?
Regards,

BD

Because Carnivores are really omnivores (they eat both meat and vegetables), but the other way doesn't work out. That is why it is necessary to cater to the Vegeterian population separately.

I wonder how many fewer special meals there would be if passengers were charged for a special meal? There are obviously costs involved with having a separate supply chain for special meals, so I don't think it's an unjustified extra charge.

In most places it's illegal to discriminate (including charging extra for things) based on one's religion or ethnicity. IMHO it's also immoral to do so regardless of whether the person is Jewish, Muslim, diabetic, etc. For those that genuinely need a "special" meal there would not be any diffence in the number of these meals provided. Those who simply pick these meals for preferential reasons might pay the extra, do without or simply get militant about it, but that's another story.

On a side note, I remember reading a story that basically said "Want to get served first? Order a special meal." To me this is an abuse of a system that is designed to look after those with special needs based on ethnicity, religion or medical problems but there will always be those that abuse various things because they feel they deserve better than everyone else....

Because Carnivores are really omnivores (they eat both meat and vegetables), but the other way doesn't work out. That is why it is necessary to cater to the Vegeterian population separately.

You mean in the same way that those who order seafood are really omnivores?

Regards,

BD