Another disappointing AA F experience... [international 777]
Jun 11, 2012, 11:35 am
#151
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To each his own I suppose... I've noticed vast differences, not only between airlines, but between different flights on the same airline. IMHO, even if the food can't be truly good, the presentation needs to be there in J and F. It definitely makes an impression, good or bad - might as well ensure it's a good one.
Jun 11, 2012, 11:37 am
#152
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORF
Posts: 1,740
Once again I think you are missing the main point of my post as stated in my second sentence: That can be said for any one aspect of the flight, including food; hence the reason I went down all of my priorities.
For many food may not be a big deal but on long haul F, but it is one of the important factors for me; and yes, I do think there is a huge gulf between CX food and AA food in terms of quality, breadth of selection, presentation and service.
But the real difference between AA and CX, or CX and QF, or AA and QF, etc. is comparing the whole package, not just food, not just being addressed by one's name, not just the seat, not just the service, not just the entertainment, etc., but all of those combined. For me, CX takes the cake, with QF A380 F close behind. In some areas, like SYD and MEL F lounges, QF easily comes out ahead of CX.
Another factor for many is the alcohol served on board, as many of the various FT threads on the subject suggest. I don't drink, so the alcohol offered by each airline doesn't matter to me; however for others the wines, after dinner cordials, etc. served may be a big factor in which airline they prefer.
For many food may not be a big deal but on long haul F, but it is one of the important factors for me; and yes, I do think there is a huge gulf between CX food and AA food in terms of quality, breadth of selection, presentation and service.
But the real difference between AA and CX, or CX and QF, or AA and QF, etc. is comparing the whole package, not just food, not just being addressed by one's name, not just the seat, not just the service, not just the entertainment, etc., but all of those combined. For me, CX takes the cake, with QF A380 F close behind. In some areas, like SYD and MEL F lounges, QF easily comes out ahead of CX.
Another factor for many is the alcohol served on board, as many of the various FT threads on the subject suggest. I don't drink, so the alcohol offered by each airline doesn't matter to me; however for others the wines, after dinner cordials, etc. served may be a big factor in which airline they prefer.
I just don't feel food is a meaningful data point.
Jun 11, 2012, 11:38 am
#153
Join Date: Nov 2010
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I agree with that completely. I just feel that is a service item and not a food one. I just consider food as the actual food.
Jun 11, 2012, 11:40 am
#154
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^ Exactly. CX is never going to replace Matsuhisa, Sweet Basil, or L'Auberge Chez François (3 of my favorite restaurants), but I have enjoyed every meal I have been served on CX and especially like the cappuccino and eggs cooked to order for breakfast.
Jun 11, 2012, 11:45 am
#155
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My last meal on AA F (PVG-ORD) was literally inedible. It was a steak that I could not cut with the utinsels provided. It was actually a crew meal because as a Gold member on an award, I was offered the last meal in the cabin, and my choices were vegetarian or a crew meal.
(Yes, I realize that's the correct AA policy for offering meals in F. But it's a sh***y policy. Many good airlines in the world find a way to not run out of meals in 3-cabin F, either by overcatering them a bit or by allowing pax to go online prior to the flight and select a meal.)
I agree that no airfood is going rival a Michelin-rated restaurant on the ground. But you'd think that in an international F seat, it could at least be as good as what you'd get at a mall food court.
I was pretty angry after that flight - felt like I'd wasted a *lot* of miles on those seats. The irony is that my AA flight over (ORD-PVG) was in coach, and we had a great FA working our section and in general a pretty decent experience. I mean, as 14 hours in coach goes... Food was typical coach food, but I was able to eat it without a chainsaw.
In the future, I won't redeem AA F again. I'll make sure it's partner F. I jumped at AA on this one because Shanghai was the end destination and I valued the nonstop. I think I'd have been better off adding a connection through HKG or NRT or whatever. If I'm flying coach, then sure...the AA nonstop is fine...
(Yes, I realize that's the correct AA policy for offering meals in F. But it's a sh***y policy. Many good airlines in the world find a way to not run out of meals in 3-cabin F, either by overcatering them a bit or by allowing pax to go online prior to the flight and select a meal.)
I agree that no airfood is going rival a Michelin-rated restaurant on the ground. But you'd think that in an international F seat, it could at least be as good as what you'd get at a mall food court.
I was pretty angry after that flight - felt like I'd wasted a *lot* of miles on those seats. The irony is that my AA flight over (ORD-PVG) was in coach, and we had a great FA working our section and in general a pretty decent experience. I mean, as 14 hours in coach goes... Food was typical coach food, but I was able to eat it without a chainsaw.
In the future, I won't redeem AA F again. I'll make sure it's partner F. I jumped at AA on this one because Shanghai was the end destination and I valued the nonstop. I think I'd have been better off adding a connection through HKG or NRT or whatever. If I'm flying coach, then sure...the AA nonstop is fine...
Jun 11, 2012, 11:46 am
#156
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To each his own I suppose... I've noticed vast differences, not only between airlines, but between different flights on the same airline. IMHO, even if the food can't be truly good, the presentation needs to be there in J and F. It definitely makes an impression, good or bad - might as well ensure it's a good one.
What is is how the mean is presented. And that should be done in such a way that it feels like a premium cabin experience. I don't need the dry ice sculpture, but I also don't want someone grunting "open tray table...food's coming." I haven't received that sort of treatment - it's always been courteous and friendly, but it seems that some have. That's not OK.
By the way, some may not find rolls thrown from the galley preceded by "here, catch" to be a premium experience, but I would welcome it
Cheers.
Jun 11, 2012, 11:47 am
#157
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Jun 11, 2012, 11:51 am
#158
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My last meal on AA F (PVG-ORD) was literally inedible. It was a steak that I could not cut with the utinsels provided. It was actually a crew meal because as a Gold member on an award, I was offered the last meal in the cabin, and my choices were vegetarian or a crew meal.
BTW, two weeks ago my meals on my JFK-LHR flight and back were inedible too. They literally removed my tray after only taking 1 bite. Fortunately they are fairly short flights.
Jun 11, 2012, 11:51 am
#159
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If the food is *decent*, then I see where people would say that it's a pretty low-priority data point.
It's when it's awful that it *becomes* a meaningful data point.
(To be fair to AA, I'd had other experiences, mostly in AA J, where the food was...okay... Uneventful enough that it was not a meaningful data point.)
For me, I'm happy if the winelist has at least one red wine that I happen to really like.
It's when it's awful that it *becomes* a meaningful data point.
(To be fair to AA, I'd had other experiences, mostly in AA J, where the food was...okay... Uneventful enough that it was not a meaningful data point.)
For me, I'm happy if the winelist has at least one red wine that I happen to really like.
Jun 11, 2012, 11:53 am
#160
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Back in Coach I consider what's important.
Was there space in the overhead compartment?
Did we get there on time?
Have I the luggage that's mine?
As least this beats chronic unemployment.
Was there space in the overhead compartment?
Did we get there on time?
Have I the luggage that's mine?
As least this beats chronic unemployment.
Jun 11, 2012, 11:59 am
#161
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We've flown on AA quite a bit. We've had some quite good food, down to stuff that's "just OK." Have yet to come across all of this "inedible" food that people whine about.
I think it really boils down to "it's an item I don't like, so it's inedible," or some incredibly picky palates that can't deal with anything less than 5 star.
Inedible, indeed. I'll bet others on the flight ate the same meal. Wonder how that happened.
Great food? Hardly. Inedible? Hyperbolic much? The claims of "inedibility" obviously cast doubt on the veracity remainder of the containing rant.
Cheers.
I think it really boils down to "it's an item I don't like, so it's inedible," or some incredibly picky palates that can't deal with anything less than 5 star.
Inedible, indeed. I'll bet others on the flight ate the same meal. Wonder how that happened.
Great food? Hardly. Inedible? Hyperbolic much? The claims of "inedibility" obviously cast doubt on the veracity remainder of the containing rant.
Cheers.
Last edited by brp; Jun 11, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Jun 11, 2012, 12:12 pm
#162
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I was working a SFO-JFK flight where Chef Thomas Keller was on. He ate the entire meal, said he really enjoyed it, where someone else didn't finish theirs because it was 'inedible'.
Jun 11, 2012, 12:28 pm
#163
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We've flown on AA quite a bit. We've had some quite good food, down to stuff that's "just OK." Have yet to come across all of this "inedible" food that people whine about.
I think it really boils down to "it's an item I don't like, so it's inedible," or some incredibly picky palates that can't deal with anything less than 5 star.
Inedible, indeed. I'll bet others on the flight ate the same meal. Wonder how that happened.
Great food? Hardly. Inedible? Hyperbolic much? The claims of "inedibility" obviously cast doubt on the veracity remainder of the containing rant.
Cheers.
I think it really boils down to "it's an item I don't like, so it's inedible," or some incredibly picky palates that can't deal with anything less than 5 star.
Inedible, indeed. I'll bet others on the flight ate the same meal. Wonder how that happened.
Great food? Hardly. Inedible? Hyperbolic much? The claims of "inedibility" obviously cast doubt on the veracity remainder of the containing rant.
Cheers.
Jun 11, 2012, 12:36 pm
#164
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Of course, "pick it up and gnaw on it" is worth a try in this case
Cheers.
Jun 11, 2012, 1:02 pm
#165
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORF
Posts: 1,740
I would say hard product worth 19% and timeliness 1%.
I don't list safety as that is something I feel is a requirement: I don't feel safe, I ain't flyin!