TT: Meal standards slipping
#17
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QR/AC Gold, VA Silver, IHG Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,581
Thanks,
My vote would be ditch the rest of the meal & increase the size of the ice cream on the late night flights.
In the current climate it might be better just to cut the meals & drop $5 of the fares. You don't really need a meal on a SYD-AKL flight that arrives at 11.35pm.
My vote would be ditch the rest of the meal & increase the size of the ice cream on the late night flights.
In the current climate it might be better just to cut the meals & drop $5 of the fares. You don't really need a meal on a SYD-AKL flight that arrives at 11.35pm.
#18
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: QF Gold
Posts: 1,242
I always look forward to the food on an international, no matter how meagre it is, it's just part of the experience to me. And an airline would simply absorb any $5 in food saving anyhow, so everyone would be worse off.
But yeah, if the flight's 3 hours, you've checked into the airport 2 hours before that's 5 hours, and then allow more time for getting there, that's a long time without food.
But yeah, if the flight's 3 hours, you've checked into the airport 2 hours before that's 5 hours, and then allow more time for getting there, that's a long time without food.
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,997
That's where lounge access comes to the fore.
Departing MEL last month on a 6:30pm flight, the Business/Koru lounge had some substantial meal offerings.
Departing MEL last month on a 6:30pm flight, the Business/Koru lounge had some substantial meal offerings.
#20
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,423
Nooo - don't do that. When I've had a long day up at 3am NZ time for a full day of meetings and rush to get back to the airport in time for flight, there is no time to eat before the flight (unless it is delayed).
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,417
edison: I'm talking about getting rid of the economy meals, they are hardly classed as dinner.
When you think of the average passenger arrives at the airport 2hrs before hand. They do have time to grab something to eat at the airport / lounge.
When you think of the average passenger arrives at the airport 2hrs before hand. They do have time to grab something to eat at the airport / lounge.
#22
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,423
I think you'd be surprised at just how many pax are like me. Already checked in (from the flight to Oz in the morning) and arrive at the airport close to boarding time.
#24
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wellington
Programs: QFWP (LTSG), NZ (Jade), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 4,671
Yep I have done the early morning flight to SYD and MEL only to return the same night.
MEL was the worst as the airport is further away traffic etc meant I arrived with 30 minutes to spare, already checked in with no luggage.
MEL was the worst as the airport is further away traffic etc meant I arrived with 30 minutes to spare, already checked in with no luggage.
#25
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QR/AC Gold, VA Silver, IHG Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,581
No way, the last thing AirNZ want to do is being classified as LCC. Also people like me who mostly fly Y would wait until getting onto the plane because they know that they are being served food. Otherwise people may as well fly Pacific Blue or Jetstar.
#26
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,951
Suddenly, I don't think so lowly about the QF TT Y meals any more.
In saying this though, you still get Space+ or Y+ on NZ rather than QF which has stuff-all. But cutting down on meals? Not a good idea. Cut meals altogether? Mega-dumb idea.
I'm hoping that the cost cutting and resulting flying culture in the US for short-haul is not setting a precedent for down under.
Last edited by anat0l; Sep 24, 2009 at 12:19 am
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,417
#29
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,951
I heard that the catering too isn't all that great. People thought LA was very pedestrian if not non-passable. From what I hear AR is worse.
Booze is non-present on the dry BI and requires $$$ on JQ and DJ. But that still leaves QF, LA and EK.
QF has the minus on gate-to-gate IFE (although I thought that the A380 AVOD might be gate-to-gate, and if they install similar on the new 738s....) and leg room - not sure about frequency, I thought they were about the same.
And if you aren't a WP, then NZ also have the up on lounges (or if you average it out on both sides of the Tasman, they do have the up on lounges).
QF has the minus on gate-to-gate IFE (although I thought that the A380 AVOD might be gate-to-gate, and if they install similar on the new 738s....) and leg room - not sure about frequency, I thought they were about the same.
And if you aren't a WP, then NZ also have the up on lounges (or if you average it out on both sides of the Tasman, they do have the up on lounges).
#30
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QR/AC Gold, VA Silver, IHG Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,581