Menus and meals 2022-2023
Apr 17, 2023, 8:08 pm
#151
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ Elite, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 908
I’ve often found the food from outstations much better than ex-AKL. In fact, one of the best fish dishes I’ve had (both on the ground and in the air) was in BP ex-HKG back in 2019.
They both seemed like the lightest options considering the timing of the flight. Also, I don’t like cooked salmon which rules that out for dinner.
I think it’s not so much a meat thing but more of a wrong cut of meat thing. Eye fillet is very lean and probably doesn’t do well being cooked, chilled, then reheated. For meat cuts they should stick with shin, brisket, short rib etc. as these do hold up well in flight usually.
They both seemed like the lightest options considering the timing of the flight. Also, I don’t like cooked salmon which rules that out for dinner.
I think it’s not so much a meat thing but more of a wrong cut of meat thing. Eye fillet is very lean and probably doesn’t do well being cooked, chilled, then reheated. For meat cuts they should stick with shin, brisket, short rib etc. as these do hold up well in flight usually.
Apr 21, 2023, 5:40 pm
#152
Join Date: Sep 2022
Programs: Airpoints Elite
Posts: 123
Flew from Auckland to Tokyo earlier this week in economy - we wanted the Skycouch for our baby to be able to crawl around in and have a more comfortable place to sleep. The helpful flight attendant also reserved a spare seat for us in the adjacent middle seating for us once boarding was complete, so it was actually quite a comfortable flight. I sat in the spare seat, and my wife and baby got to stretch out and sleep.
As far as meals go, I was honestly pleasantly surprised.
Meal one I had a smoky beef "brisket" (it was really just normal beef) with mac and cheese; the other option was teriyaki salmon with rice. We both had the brisket and enjoyed it. The The passenger next to me had the salmon and enjoyed it from what I could tell.
Meal two the options were beef penne pasta or karage fried chicken. My wife had the penne pasta (so she could give some of the pasta to the baby) and I tried some too. It wasn't bad at all, more than edible although some of the pasta had no sauce and was totally plain.
The karage chicken with rice was actually rather tasty, just the texture was off as the breading had gone soggy - no crispiness at all. The bean side salad was good too.
In both instances, considering it's economy class food the only real complaint is that portion sizes felt quite small and I was definitely hungry by the time the flight landed. For both meals I gladly would have eaten more, which I see as the ultimate measure of what is never going to be great food.
I'll send some photos from my phone and re-upload them here.
For the younger readers, the baby meals aren't the fanciest - but baby was served two lots of baby food pouches, and kindly given the spare ones when we disembarked (which meant we didn't need to rush out and buy more food when we got to the hotel).
As far as meals go, I was honestly pleasantly surprised.
Meal one I had a smoky beef "brisket" (it was really just normal beef) with mac and cheese; the other option was teriyaki salmon with rice. We both had the brisket and enjoyed it. The The passenger next to me had the salmon and enjoyed it from what I could tell.
Meal two the options were beef penne pasta or karage fried chicken. My wife had the penne pasta (so she could give some of the pasta to the baby) and I tried some too. It wasn't bad at all, more than edible although some of the pasta had no sauce and was totally plain.
The karage chicken with rice was actually rather tasty, just the texture was off as the breading had gone soggy - no crispiness at all. The bean side salad was good too.
In both instances, considering it's economy class food the only real complaint is that portion sizes felt quite small and I was definitely hungry by the time the flight landed. For both meals I gladly would have eaten more, which I see as the ultimate measure of what is never going to be great food.
I'll send some photos from my phone and re-upload them here.
For the younger readers, the baby meals aren't the fanciest - but baby was served two lots of baby food pouches, and kindly given the spare ones when we disembarked (which meant we didn't need to rush out and buy more food when we got to the hotel).
Apr 22, 2023, 10:28 pm
#153
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 646
From my experience BP food has deteriorated so much, Economy food taste better.
There is more protein on BP but seems to be poorly planned and executed.
There is more protein on BP but seems to be poorly planned and executed.
Apr 22, 2023, 10:53 pm
#154
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NZ
Programs: NZ*E, QF-G, EK-P
Posts: 605
I struggle to see why the BP food is so bad. I agree with poop bunny. I got an economy breakfast recently in J, and it was really tasty!!
The actual menu item descriptions are ok.
All the ingredients are on the plate, they don't all appear to be cheap and nasty, but they still manage to make them taste like rubbish.
Is it a catering problem? Is it a recipe problem? Cheap cuts of meats can still be easily made into tasty food.
Poorly planned and executed describes it well.
Emirates F still remains cheaper than NZ/United J to London! No food quality problems there ! :-)
The actual menu item descriptions are ok.
All the ingredients are on the plate, they don't all appear to be cheap and nasty, but they still manage to make them taste like rubbish.
Is it a catering problem? Is it a recipe problem? Cheap cuts of meats can still be easily made into tasty food.
Poorly planned and executed describes it well.
Emirates F still remains cheaper than NZ/United J to London! No food quality problems there ! :-)
Apr 22, 2023, 11:59 pm
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,211
I took the opportunity to provide some ‘unvarnished’ feedback. Pity I couldn’t upload a picture of my disaster beef fillet. The presentation was awful, but the steak was worse.
Hopefully others are also being honest in their views of the offerings - especially at current BP fare prices.
I also recall changing into the excellent QF pyjamas for a HKG-AKL flight (grey with a giant ‘roo on the chest), and being gently chided by the ISM as she walked the aisle - I replied politely that I’d be very happy to wear AirNZ pyjamas if only they were available - they weren’t….
Hopefully others are also being honest in their views of the offerings - especially at current BP fare prices.
I also recall changing into the excellent QF pyjamas for a HKG-AKL flight (grey with a giant ‘roo on the chest), and being gently chided by the ISM as she walked the aisle - I replied politely that I’d be very happy to wear AirNZ pyjamas if only they were available - they weren’t….
Apr 29, 2023, 1:21 am
#156
Join Date: May 2009
Location: New Zealand
Programs: QF Plat (OWE)/NZ Gold (*G)
Posts: 166
TT apr - oct
BP1_BFST_MMEAL_APR-OCT_23-24
on NZ 124 now
amuse Bosch tasted like a rubber puck
fish rilette was rather strong on taste
salmon main was odd, steamed gai lan with a dry piece of salmon with creamy sauce
dessert instead of menu options I got offered chocolate mousse or cheese
on NZ 124 now
amuse Bosch tasted like a rubber puck
fish rilette was rather strong on taste
salmon main was odd, steamed gai lan with a dry piece of salmon with creamy sauce
dessert instead of menu options I got offered chocolate mousse or cheese
Apr 29, 2023, 1:22 am
#157
Join Date: May 2009
Location: New Zealand
Programs: QF Plat (OWE)/NZ Gold (*G)
Posts: 166
TT apr - oct
BP1_BFST_MMEAL_APR-OCT_23-24
on NZ 124 now
amuse Bosch tasted like a rubber puck
fish rilette was rather strong on taste
salmon main was odd, steamed gai lan with a dry piece of salmon with creamy sauce
dessert instead of menu options I got offered chocolate mousse or cheese
amuse bouche
TT breakfast
Salmon Main
Smoked fish appetizer
TT main meal menu
on NZ 124 now
amuse Bosch tasted like a rubber puck
fish rilette was rather strong on taste
salmon main was odd, steamed gai lan with a dry piece of salmon with creamy sauce
dessert instead of menu options I got offered chocolate mousse or cheese
amuse bouche
TT breakfast
Salmon Main
Smoked fish appetizer
TT main meal menu
Apr 29, 2023, 6:39 am
#158
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ Elite (*G), IHG Spire Elite, Accor ALL Gold
Posts: 216
After my awful meal experience AKL-NRT two weeks ago I thought I'd provide feedback on my return flight meal tonight TPE-AKL.
The good news, dinner was absolutely delicious. I ordered the mixed tasting platter to start and the halibut for my main. Both were really tasty.
It seems the food out of overseas ports is much better than out of AKL, hopefully we start to see an improved service.
Apr 29, 2023, 4:31 pm
#159
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: NZ GE, QF
Posts: 390
Has anyone seen or experienced the recent J menu to New York?
Apr 29, 2023, 6:32 pm
#160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,211
AKL-YVR NZ24 J 29 Apr
Amuse-bouche was paua saucisson
Tasting plate
I asked for the salmon with just a side salad, rather than the ‘superfood salad’
Below is scrambled eggs on rosti with pastrami. Not a winner for me
Amuse-bouche was paua saucisson
Tasting plate
I asked for the salmon with just a side salad, rather than the ‘superfood salad’
Below is scrambled eggs on rosti with pastrami. Not a winner for me
Apr 29, 2023, 7:02 pm
#161
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ Elite, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 908
I’ve found that catering ex-AKL has gone down considerably since pre-Covid times. Yes, there’s the odd nice meal here and there but overall it’s subpar.
However, catering from offshore destinations (especially Asia) does seem to be quite good lately.
However, catering from offshore destinations (especially Asia) does seem to be quite good lately.
May 1, 2023, 12:56 am
#162
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Emirates Skywards Gold, Priority Guest Rewards Platinum
Posts: 172
Food wasn't that great heading over to MEL about two weeks ago.
May 1, 2023, 1:30 am
#164
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Emirates Skywards Gold, Priority Guest Rewards Platinum
Posts: 172
Hahaha I thought the same thing when the FA brought it out to me lol!
May 1, 2023, 1:50 am
#165
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 646
Reminded me of my last NZ meal on a 747 before it was retired.
My beef fillet (per menu) turned out to be an overcooked dry brisket. I could tell, because I got nearly the same meal on a flight to HKG. They tried their best to fool me by dressing it up like a fillet.
Not sure if the kitchen ran out of fillet and thought it wise to substitute it for brisket, or NZ had further cut their budget for meals.
Continued to make NZ my preferential airline thinking it could not get any worse.
Can't believe I was so stupid to think it was a one off and things would improve.