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
Sep 4, 2018, 4:09 pm
#2926
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,819
If it is the above, then it solves what is the difference with band 4, namely they go back to having either breakfast or rest of the day (from the last box) whereas band 3 has the timed slots. There is a difference on Express between the models, in that LBA, MAN only are on Express (currently just LBA and MAN) whereas NCL was (and is) on the same as AMS etc. And that they dare not cut back JER despite being the quickest flight of the lot!
It's a lot more complex than the existing model, particularly if there is a 2 week rotation, but one big problem with the current set up is seeing the same food regularly, AA style. It's going to take some effort to get this written up in an easy to understand fashion on FT!
Other points, Breakfast now goes on 30 minutes to 10 am (hurray!), brunch is quite a small band, many routes won't see it. Afternoon tea stays in the current 2 hour block
It's a lot more complex than the existing model, particularly if there is a 2 week rotation, but one big problem with the current set up is seeing the same food regularly, AA style. It's going to take some effort to get this written up in an easy to understand fashion on FT!
Other points, Breakfast now goes on 30 minutes to 10 am (hurray!), brunch is quite a small band, many routes won't see it. Afternoon tea stays in the current 2 hour block
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Sep 4, 2018 at 4:29 pm Reason: Jersey is band 1!
Sep 4, 2018, 4:20 pm
#2927
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 698
It looks like Afternoon Tea is going on from 1400 to 1659, so expect disappointed passengers on flights departing at 1655.
The times given are AST which presumably means Actual Service Time.
Not sure why they bother with brunch.
It's interesting that dinner will offered on 0455 departures
The times given are AST which presumably means Actual Service Time.
Not sure why they bother with brunch.
It's interesting that dinner will offered on 0455 departures
Sep 4, 2018, 9:32 pm
#2930
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,927
Sep 4, 2018, 11:53 pm
#2931
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: 30,536
I’m still clueless about what it means in terms of which band is supposed to get one or am I missing something obvious? To me the most likely at this stage seems to be ‘back to before but just worse’; 4 back to 4, 3B back to free (hello infamous ‘brunch’ and afternoon tea on 3 hours flights!) but most 3A now declassified to 2 (hot meals lost for good?), most band 2 now declassified to 1 (enjoy the quiche) and most band 1 declassified to express (“business class in name only”? ) but maybe I’m wrong 1 is the new 2, 2 the new 3 etc.
Sep 5, 2018, 12:34 am
#2932
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,228
I’m still clueless about what it means in terms of which band is supposed to get one or am I missing something obvious? To me the most likely at this stage seems to be ‘back to before but just worse’; 4 back to 4, 3B back to free (hello infamous ‘brunch’ and afternoon tea on 3 hours flights!) but most 3A now declassified to 2 (hot meals lost for good?), most band 2 now declassified to 1 (enjoy the quiche) and most band 1 declassified to express (“business class in name only”? ) but maybe I’m wrong 1 is the new 2, 2 the new 3 etc.
I agree that Band 1 is expanded - Berlin used to be Band 2 I believe. I think though cold salad (choice of 2) or brunch / afternoon tea, so it’s better than before. We’ll see if the size of salad has gone back to how it used to be (it shrunk when they introduced new catering).
Band 4 is slightly different as it used to offer canapes before the meal, then it went to a larger savoury snack in addition to the hot meal. This way may now mean CE doesn’t need to be limited to 7 rows on these flights?
I will reserve judgment on what a ‘refined’ bar service means.
They definitely needed to sort out the hot meal service on shorter ‘long’ flights as it wasn’t deliverable.
Sep 5, 2018, 2:35 am
#2933
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 389
What's "signature warm breads" ? Is it PR guff for a warm roll that the CC are "proud" to serve?
Sep 5, 2018, 2:35 am
#2934
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Spitalfields, London
Programs: BA Gold, KFC 'The Colonel's Club' Palladium tier, Mucci des Visions Célestes du Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Posts: 2,327
Brunch and afternoon tea - do these apply to bands 3 & 4? Looking at the chart, they do?
Sep 5, 2018, 2:58 am
#2935
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: 30,536
Ps: just surprised Pula is band 2 as well, it’s quite a long flight isn’t it? Even Zagreb is I believe longer than MAD?
Sep 5, 2018, 8:40 am
#2936
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 2,068
It looks like Afternoon Tea is going on from 1400 to 1659, so expect disappointed passengers on flights departing at 1655.
The times given are AST which presumably means Actual Service Time.
Not sure why they bother with brunch.
It's interesting that dinner will offered on 0455 departures
The times given are AST which presumably means Actual Service Time.
Not sure why they bother with brunch.
It's interesting that dinner will offered on 0455 departures
Actual Service Time must be the flight time less the 10 minutes before landing and presumably the 10 minutes after take-off.
Brunch is probably there to cater less food on all of the first turns of the day going back to the UK, I'll gather. It probably saves money giving all those flights less food too. It does say on the web site - "On shorter mid-morning flights, you'll enjoy a selection of continental cold meats and cheese, or a delicious hot savoury snack." <--- that's brunch I am guessing.
I'd be happy with an 04:55 dinner! After flying AA first class from Chicago to Denver (2.5 hours) after 8pm and being given a cookie, I'm just happy BA serve a full meal on all flight departures, regardless of time. That in itself makes Club Europe a fantastic proposition in my eyes (that plus real Champagne and not whatever rot gut amberish coloured fizzy liquid is cheapest like on AA and a surprising number of other airlines for short haul).
Sep 5, 2018, 9:16 am
#2937
Suspended
Join Date: May 2017
Location: In the Swiss amoeba's head
Programs: Lowest level possible
Posts: 2,829
Damn, I have a 10:35 flight LHR-ARN (band 3) booked, which currently means hot food ("long" route). Now it looks to become a "brunch" flight (?), and no hot food (?).
If only there was a flight leaving an hour later... I don't see myself waiting until the 13:25 flight just to get hot food.
If only there was a flight leaving an hour later... I don't see myself waiting until the 13:25 flight just to get hot food.
Sep 5, 2018, 10:37 am
#2938
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,345
Damn, I have a 10:35 flight LHR-ARN (band 3) booked, which currently means hot food ("long" route). Now it looks to become a "brunch" flight (?), and no hot food (?).
If only there was a flight leaving an hour later... I don't see myself waiting until the 13:25 flight just to get hot food.
If only there was a flight leaving an hour later... I don't see myself waiting until the 13:25 flight just to get hot food.
Sep 5, 2018, 11:07 am
#2939
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: WAW ✈ LHR ✈ GLA
Programs: BA GfL/GGL/CCR, HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,501
This is really poor... my 16:25 flight to Warsaw will now get an afternoon tea... instead of a hot meal. Actual arrival time in Warsaw is 19:50.
Sep 5, 2018, 11:23 am
#2940
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 847
Damn, I have a 10:35 flight LHR-ARN (band 3) booked, which currently means hot food ("long" route). Now it looks to become a "brunch" flight (?), and no hot food (?).
If only there was a flight leaving an hour later... I don't see myself waiting until the 13:25 flight just to get hot food.
If only there was a flight leaving an hour later... I don't see myself waiting until the 13:25 flight just to get hot food.