Apr 16, 2017, 1:12 pm
Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
Club Europe Catering Guide 2017.
This thread outlines the new arrangements for Club Europe catering, introduced on Sunday 26 March 2017 and due to end on Tuesday 11 September 2018, based on 3 zones. A new Club Europe catering product is due to be launch on Wednesday 12 September 2018, and this is based on 4 bands. The main information piece - in terms of timings and the distance zones for the meals can be found in post 1. The following cross references the photos below against the matrix of options. In addition to the photos, some FTers have written extensively on their experiences so there is more to this thread than the pictures. Also note that there was an increase in food offered on some combinations shortly after the start-up, so the more recent photos may be the best place to start.The previous shorthaul catering guide, now locked but which had the previous 4 band system, is to be found here.
Numbers relate to the post number. Vegetarian means the alternative option provided as standard rather than the pre-ordered versions - which are VLML (Lacto-ovo), AVML (Asia) and VGML (Vegan) . There are differences between the offering in/out of LHR, LGW, LCY+STN. Last update: 833
-------------------------
Note posts before 1-832 are typically the April 2017 menu. 833 and above is from the menu for May 2017.
----
Chef's Chat sheets for:
CE LHR Summer 2017 - Rotation A
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28338151-post954.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28339641-post958.html
-----.
Short Band (UK, France, Ireland, BeNeLux, Germany)
Breakfast: 279, 570 (vegetarian), 629, 674, 821 (Express breakfast for MAN and LBA), 1343 (Vegan), 2285 (Express for LBA and MAN), 2445
Brunch: 180, 289, 469, 563, 685, 716, 2625 (AVML)
Lunch: 207, 545 (diabetic), 644 (first photo), 680 (VLML), 802, 928, 1322 (Kosher), 2284
Afternoon tea: 339, 404 (vegetarian), 480, 600 (VLML), 710 (including low lactose), 800, 882 (gluten free), 1281, 1322 (Kosher), 1673, 2679 (Kosher), 2792
Dinner: 563, 630 (VGML), 669 (Kosher Passover), 771 (VGML LCY) 799, 819 (AVML), 833 (May 2017 menu), 1283, 1287, 1674, 2446, 2616 (Kosher), 2793
Comments on difference between AVML and VLML here.
-----
Medium Band (e.g. Madrid, Nice, Prague, Copenhagen)
Breakfast: 645 (vegetarian), 724 (vegetarian), 1003
Brunch: 199 (VLML), 600 (VLML), 659 (Kosher Passover)
Lunch: 239 (child), 251, 425, 641, 733
Afternoon tea: 332 (also includes vegetarian), 426 (GFML), 813 (Muslim)
Dinner: 456, 551 (also includes VLML), 666, 1004,
1278
-----
Long Band (e.g. Lisbon, Rome, Warsaw, Stockholm).
Breakfast: 195 (vegetarian)
Rest of the day: 306 (LFML), 345, 427, 443, 468, 597, 676, 687, 695, 783 (VLML)
======
NOT MAINTAINED AND OUT OF DATE: The complete Short Haul meal structure for the longer flights as of October 2017 is:
LHR
Meal 1: Chicken / red pepper risotto
Meal 2: Beef cheek
Meal 3: Chicken supreme / gnocchi
Meal 4: Miso glazed cod
Meal 5: Chicken khao soi
Meal 6: Hot smoked salmon linguine
LGW
Meal 1: Thyme roasted chicken
Meal 2: Spicy corn and paneer masala
Meal 3: Thai Penang chicken curry
Meal 4: Roasted red pepper tortellini
Meal 5: Beef and mushroom caserole
Meal 6: Tomato and four cheeses tortellini
Structured into:
Rotation A
LHR outbound
Meal 3
Meal 4
inbound to LHR
Meal 5
Meal 6
Rotation B
LHR outbound
Meal 5
Meal 6
inbound to LHR
Meal 1
Meal 2
Rotation C
LHR outbound
Meal 1
Meal 2
inbound to LHR
Meal 3
Meal 4
===
October 2017 = Rotation C
November 2017 = Rotation A
December 2017 = Rotation B
January 2018 = Rotation C
etc
This thread outlines the new arrangements for Club Europe catering, introduced on Sunday 26 March 2017 and due to end on Tuesday 11 September 2018, based on 3 zones. A new Club Europe catering product is due to be launch on Wednesday 12 September 2018, and this is based on 4 bands. The main information piece - in terms of timings and the distance zones for the meals can be found in post 1. The following cross references the photos below against the matrix of options. In addition to the photos, some FTers have written extensively on their experiences so there is more to this thread than the pictures. Also note that there was an increase in food offered on some combinations shortly after the start-up, so the more recent photos may be the best place to start.The previous shorthaul catering guide, now locked but which had the previous 4 band system, is to be found here.
Numbers relate to the post number. Vegetarian means the alternative option provided as standard rather than the pre-ordered versions - which are VLML (Lacto-ovo), AVML (Asia) and VGML (Vegan) . There are differences between the offering in/out of LHR, LGW, LCY+STN. Last update: 833
-------------------------
Note posts before 1-832 are typically the April 2017 menu. 833 and above is from the menu for May 2017.
----
Chef's Chat sheets for:
CE LHR Summer 2017 - Rotation A
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28338151-post954.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28339641-post958.html
-----.
Short Band (UK, France, Ireland, BeNeLux, Germany)
Breakfast: 279, 570 (vegetarian), 629, 674, 821 (Express breakfast for MAN and LBA), 1343 (Vegan), 2285 (Express for LBA and MAN), 2445
Brunch: 180, 289, 469, 563, 685, 716, 2625 (AVML)
Lunch: 207, 545 (diabetic), 644 (first photo), 680 (VLML), 802, 928, 1322 (Kosher), 2284
Afternoon tea: 339, 404 (vegetarian), 480, 600 (VLML), 710 (including low lactose), 800, 882 (gluten free), 1281, 1322 (Kosher), 1673, 2679 (Kosher), 2792
Dinner: 563, 630 (VGML), 669 (Kosher Passover), 771 (VGML LCY) 799, 819 (AVML), 833 (May 2017 menu), 1283, 1287, 1674, 2446, 2616 (Kosher), 2793
Comments on difference between AVML and VLML here.
-----
Medium Band (e.g. Madrid, Nice, Prague, Copenhagen)
Breakfast: 645 (vegetarian), 724 (vegetarian), 1003
Brunch: 199 (VLML), 600 (VLML), 659 (Kosher Passover)
Lunch: 239 (child), 251, 425, 641, 733
Afternoon tea: 332 (also includes vegetarian), 426 (GFML), 813 (Muslim)
Dinner: 456, 551 (also includes VLML), 666, 1004,
1278
-----
Long Band (e.g. Lisbon, Rome, Warsaw, Stockholm).
Breakfast: 195 (vegetarian)
Rest of the day: 306 (LFML), 345, 427, 443, 468, 597, 676, 687, 695, 783 (VLML)
======
NOT MAINTAINED AND OUT OF DATE: The complete Short Haul meal structure for the longer flights as of October 2017 is:
LHR
Meal 1: Chicken / red pepper risotto
Meal 2: Beef cheek
Meal 3: Chicken supreme / gnocchi
Meal 4: Miso glazed cod
Meal 5: Chicken khao soi
Meal 6: Hot smoked salmon linguine
LGW
Meal 1: Thyme roasted chicken
Meal 2: Spicy corn and paneer masala
Meal 3: Thai Penang chicken curry
Meal 4: Roasted red pepper tortellini
Meal 5: Beef and mushroom caserole
Meal 6: Tomato and four cheeses tortellini
Structured into:
Rotation A
LHR outbound
Meal 3
Meal 4
inbound to LHR
Meal 5
Meal 6
Rotation B
LHR outbound
Meal 5
Meal 6
inbound to LHR
Meal 1
Meal 2
Rotation C
LHR outbound
Meal 1
Meal 2
inbound to LHR
Meal 3
Meal 4
===
October 2017 = Rotation C
November 2017 = Rotation A
December 2017 = Rotation B
January 2018 = Rotation C
etc
Club Europe catering guide
Aug 22, 2018, 5:44 am
#2716
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 495
What ive heard:
One tray service with wine glass and cutlery on tray
Back to bandings
Quarter bottles of wine all bands, full size champagne apart from bands 1+2
Ice on request, crew can serve all drinks in the wine glass
Bands with a hot meal will have a 3rd option that will be cold
LHR menu cycle will now be every 2 weeks
One tray service with wine glass and cutlery on tray
Back to bandings
Quarter bottles of wine all bands, full size champagne apart from bands 1+2
Ice on request, crew can serve all drinks in the wine glass
Bands with a hot meal will have a 3rd option that will be cold
LHR menu cycle will now be every 2 weeks
Aug 22, 2018, 7:07 am
#2717
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Brighton UK
Programs: BAEC-Silver, AMEX-BA Prem' Plus & Standard, Accor Gold, HH-Silver, IHG,IBIS On Business
Posts: 955
This is all excellent news! As an LGW flier I look forward to trying the new/old/new/old/new menus circa 2026. Subject to future changes of course 
Aug 22, 2018, 7:48 am
#2718
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,525
What ive heard:
One tray service with wine glass and cutlery on tray
Back to bandings
Quarter bottles of wine all bands, full size champagne apart from bands 1+2
Ice on request, crew can serve all drinks in the wine glass
Bands with a hot meal will have a 3rd option that will be cold
LHR menu cycle will now be every 2 weeks
One tray service with wine glass and cutlery on tray
Back to bandings
Quarter bottles of wine all bands, full size champagne apart from bands 1+2
Ice on request, crew can serve all drinks in the wine glass
Bands with a hot meal will have a 3rd option that will be cold
LHR menu cycle will now be every 2 weeks
Aug 22, 2018, 10:24 am
#2719
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 2,068
Aug 22, 2018, 11:19 am
#2720
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,175
Aug 22, 2018, 11:36 am
#2721
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,175
Right - I have only confided in one person here so they will know that I had this from the top. I was flying from Spain (I am deliberately not saying where in case this gets read at Watership Down) and I was sitting next to someone who was clearly extremely senior. I knew pretty much what was going to happen, but I never let on as I was not going to get anyone into trouble. The new meals are supposed to have improved catering - really improved they said. I knew that the wines (and I thought the Champagne) were going into small bottles. The meal service was deemed too "fussy" - fine for Athens or Istanbul with more or less 4 hours flying time, but on something like an Alicante with sometimes 8 or 9 rows, the crews were complaining how long it took to deliver. That I can well understand even with two of you. I never (sorry) asked about the dreadful apology that is Afternoon Tea on Bands 1+2. I did say that there were complaints galore about the toasted sandwich and I gather (but we will see) that this was being addressed (as it is on Madrid). I flew on the 777 from Madrid the other day and the service was almost "Here, Catch" as the J cabin was packed ( I am so so so bored with all the criticism of Mixed Fleet, they did an excellent job).
I might add that I know the price of wine that BA is paying and the guestimates that I have read here are exactly that - all of them lower than what they are actually paying or planning to pay in all premium cabins.
I might add that I know the price of wine that BA is paying and the guestimates that I have read here are exactly that - all of them lower than what they are actually paying or planning to pay in all premium cabins.
Aug 22, 2018, 12:03 pm
#2722
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Buckinghamshire
Programs: BAEC Gold Guest List, Hilton Honours Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 2,303
What ive heard:
One tray service with wine glass and cutlery on tray
Back to bandings
Quarter bottles of wine all bands, full size champagne apart from bands 1+2
Ice on request, crew can serve all drinks in the wine glass
Bands with a hot meal will have a 3rd option that will be cold
LHR menu cycle will now be every 2 weeks
One tray service with wine glass and cutlery on tray
Back to bandings
Quarter bottles of wine all bands, full size champagne apart from bands 1+2
Ice on request, crew can serve all drinks in the wine glass
Bands with a hot meal will have a 3rd option that will be cold
LHR menu cycle will now be every 2 weeks
Aug 22, 2018, 1:00 pm
#2723
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,347
I ate the panini so I can tell you that while there are sliced tomatoes, it tastes like a chicken Caesar panini. You can see the sliced chicken and there is a Caesar spread.
Aug 22, 2018, 6:05 pm
#2724
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,595
I too have heard something similar. Including the words Do and Co. The budget apparently allowed for improved catering or new crockery but not both. It seems they went for improvements to catering Let's see if this actually materialises....
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Aug 23, 2018, 4:06 am
#2726
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,129
What will we complain about?
Aug 23, 2018, 4:24 am
#2727
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 447
Flying to PUY next week on the 1720 service. I imagine I'll get dinner - is it Medium or Long? I'm not a regular in CE but know enough to avoid panini at all costs.... What shall I expect? Or should I probably go for a special meal?
Aug 23, 2018, 4:33 am
#2729
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Blue, EI Silver, Honours Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,209
I seem to recall that the wineglass on the tray is something SWISS does, or used to do. It has been some years since I last flew with them. Sounds like the Panini's have been enhanced away. A tragedy. Maybe.
Aug 23, 2018, 4:39 am
#2730
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Buckinghamshire
Programs: BAEC Gold Guest List, Hilton Honours Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 2,303
Band 3 'longer' European routes
...I hope they maintain the current 'rest of the day' meal and not re-introduce 'afternoon tea' which never satisfied my appetite.