ICN delays due to catering issue
#31
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Philly
Programs: Pan Am Exec Plat
Posts: 30
I'll be on ICN-JFK soon in J so I'll see if that has food.
#32
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: DUS
Programs: BA Gold, A3*G, HH DIA, SPG Plat
Posts: 160
On TAS-ICN on July 15th, there was a little food in J. But the flight attendant didn't give out menus because there was not much food. It was either scrambled eggs or congee -- pretty strange meal for a 10something PM departure.
I'll be on ICN-JFK soon in J so I'll see if that has food.
I'll be on ICN-JFK soon in J so I'll see if that has food.
sound too promising...
Were they still handing out vouchers to compensate?
#33
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 108
As I understood the problem, it's ONLY for flights departing from ICN (and maybe other Korean airports), not vv. So my guess is that for TAS-ICN, the poor food choices likely has to do with the catering at TAS, not the catering issue in Korea.
#34
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: DUS
Programs: BA Gold, A3*G, HH DIA, SPG Plat
Posts: 160
But it certainly sounds like a mistake and not just bad catering as usual at some outstations. Breakfast at 10 pm?
#35
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,349
My guess is that Tashkent is an outstation, they cater the plane in both directions from ICN. Of course the only way to tell is what products they use on the plane....
#36
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Philly
Programs: Pan Am Exec Plat
Posts: 30
On my ICN-JFK flight, I did get $100 in vouchers but they're pretty useless b/c you can only use them for duty free or purchases in person (you can't use them over the phone or on the internet). I don't live near an asiana office so I just bought some duty free stuff. But I was told the vouchers were because our flight was delayed 10 hours due to A380 availability problems, not catering. Overall, glad I'm not flying OZ on my next business trip to Asia in August, they're a mess.
#37
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: DUS
Programs: BA Gold, A3*G, HH DIA, SPG Plat
Posts: 160
I have an OZ reservation for August and I am really thinking about rebooking to another carrier. Times and connections are perfect but if there is no proper catering, this really ruins the experience. So sad to see that even after more than two weeks they are not able to solve the problem.
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: IND
Posts: 2,004
Unless ex-ICN (and ex-TAS), you may stick with your original plan. I arranged ex-USA business class for my parents in August. Hopefully it's better than above poster's experience.
#39
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: DUS
Programs: BA Gold, A3*G, HH DIA, SPG Plat
Posts: 160
Its SGN-ICN-FRA in J, so the major part is ex-ICN. There arent so many one-stop options available, at least not as award, so Id really like to stick to it. But being a big fan of Korea and Korean food, I hoped for some decent meals.
#40
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,624
ICN-ORD 20 July. No menus. Choices ssambap or chicken breast. Ssambap all on one tray including 3 banchan, all quite edible. No dessert offered although there was some on coffee cart. 2nd meal omelette or abalone porridge. Porridge was good. So not normal, but not awful.
#42
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,624
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,660
Anyone have an update on this situation for the F cabin? I'm looking at a roundtrip BKK-U.S. in late August, and I'd love to do NH one way and OZ the other; but not if OZ doesn't have full catering? I could do OZ either ex-JFK or ex-ICN.
#44
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere in Y class
Programs: OZ D+ Lifetime
Posts: 1,174
Safe bet? Do OZ ex-JFK.
Asiana is not going back to their previous in-flight meal provider (LSG Sky Chefs). Their new one (Sharp DO & CO) is in way over their heads in terms of capacity, and there is a contract with Asiana until Sept. 30th. Gate Gourmet Korea is not scheduled to be ready until Oct. Korean Air said publicly they would help, but privately said no. Asiana said "burritos in combo boxes along with yogurt, fruit, pudding and bread, this can be regarded as in-flight meals".
Asiana is not going back to their previous in-flight meal provider (LSG Sky Chefs). Their new one (Sharp DO & CO) is in way over their heads in terms of capacity, and there is a contract with Asiana until Sept. 30th. Gate Gourmet Korea is not scheduled to be ready until Oct. Korean Air said publicly they would help, but privately said no. Asiana said "burritos in combo boxes along with yogurt, fruit, pudding and bread, this can be regarded as in-flight meals".
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: IND
Posts: 2,004
Asiana chicken burrito is really good. Had it between meals on ICN-FRA in July 2017 and fell in love. May not appeal as a full meal, but I would eat Asiana burrito over other airline's regular meal any day. Its taste might have changed with the new catering company, though.