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
Mar 27, 2017, 1:10 pm
#346
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,937
seeing that Prospero I am looking forward to my upcoming KRK-LHR-KRK later this week
Mar 27, 2017, 1:15 pm
#347
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: South Bend, IN
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM; Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 18,562
The crew on BA 847 today (WAW-LHR) struggled with the new service. Drinks did not come out until we were over Berlin. Trays came out near Hanover. Main courses did not appear until Amsterdam.
Food itself was fine.
No menu.
Nuts were served with drinks. Full bottle champagne (but not terribly cold).
Noticeably smaller tray had appetizer (one cold shrimp on a bed of peppered melon and a few dollops of a pink sauce), cheese (one piece of blue with oat crackers and a jam/chutney, most likely fig) and dessert (chocolate cake with a hazelnut cream). Rolls were served (I declined).
Main course was choice of chicken supreme (cream sauce) and gnocchi or a cod dish). Had the chicken. A frenched breast with skin on. Cream sauce on the gnocchi. Not bad, not great. Chicken overcooked.
People we still eating as we completed two holding circuits before landing.
Assume service will speed up once the crews get used to it.
Food itself was fine.
No menu.
Nuts were served with drinks. Full bottle champagne (but not terribly cold).
Noticeably smaller tray had appetizer (one cold shrimp on a bed of peppered melon and a few dollops of a pink sauce), cheese (one piece of blue with oat crackers and a jam/chutney, most likely fig) and dessert (chocolate cake with a hazelnut cream). Rolls were served (I declined).
Main course was choice of chicken supreme (cream sauce) and gnocchi or a cod dish). Had the chicken. A frenched breast with skin on. Cream sauce on the gnocchi. Not bad, not great. Chicken overcooked.
People we still eating as we completed two holding circuits before landing.
Assume service will speed up once the crews get used to it.
Mar 27, 2017, 1:15 pm
#348
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SYD
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH D, QFF, EB
Posts: 404
I had the code with was a bit mash last year on BA799 and I found it one of the best CE meals I have had and better than many CW meals for flavour.
Mar 27, 2017, 1:21 pm
#349
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LON, MAD
Programs: KE MC Premium, BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, AZ FA+, Melia Gold
Posts: 305
Mar 27, 2017, 1:27 pm
#350
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: Honors Lifetime Diamond, BAEC Gold
Posts: 67
Breakfast remains the same folks, but it's quite funny how afternoon tea (whether we liked it or not) is now minus scone! Very British :-) it's honestly a good result for medium range locations (like Rome, Budapest, Dubrovnik or Ibiza), but bad for those previous band 3s. Interestingly the previous band 3s which have been downgraded tend to be from gatters...... so maybe that's the market there; despite a positive new F lounge. Time to reduce expectations onboard.
Mar 27, 2017, 1:40 pm
#351
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Lewes
Programs: HiltonH. Gold Starwood Gold BA BLUES! Mucci.
Posts: 4,833
Quite like the look of the ploughman's and cake....
Mar 27, 2017, 1:50 pm
#352
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: 30,544
BA is really dividing Europe into two bands: good and rubbish. It's pretty much as simple as that.
Those who who had good and still have good don't care, those who had average and now have good are happy, those who had nothing and now have rubbish are happy too, but those who had average and now have rubbish are furious just like those who had minimal and now have rubbish
Those who who had good and still have good don't care, those who had average and now have good are happy, those who had nothing and now have rubbish are happy too, but those who had average and now have rubbish are furious just like those who had minimal and now have rubbish
Mar 27, 2017, 1:51 pm
#353
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dublin/UK/SPAIN
Programs: BA Gold. EI GoldCircle
Posts: 784
From my point of view the longer routes all look like the have improved however the shorter ones look poor, certainly one for the grab and go culture.
I like the CE salad on the Dub-LHR run so the new menu of panini is a poor improvement
i have a MAN-AGP CE flight coming up shortly. Departure is at 05:35, which I think is my earliest flight of the morning (I classify the 02:00 Middle East departures as night time) so will hope the the traditional breakfast will be upgraded to something better. Or otherwise it will be the fruit meal and some cereal in the lounge, probably will be home by 10am
On a aside is the MAN-AGP 80 or 40TPs route?
I like the CE salad on the Dub-LHR run so the new menu of panini is a poor improvement
i have a MAN-AGP CE flight coming up shortly. Departure is at 05:35, which I think is my earliest flight of the morning (I classify the 02:00 Middle East departures as night time) so will hope the the traditional breakfast will be upgraded to something better. Or otherwise it will be the fruit meal and some cereal in the lounge, probably will be home by 10am
On a aside is the MAN-AGP 80 or 40TPs route?
Mar 27, 2017, 1:57 pm
#354
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,263
I've likely now gone from ordering special meals only for afternoon tea to instead brunch being the only time slot I won't be ordering a special meal for now.
Mar 27, 2017, 1:57 pm
#355
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 197
Looks like they want CE customers to start topping up with some bob.
Mar 27, 2017, 2:02 pm
#356
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,229
Apologies; you're quite correct. Trn, and GOA, were band 3 so received the hot lunch and dinner. Now downgraded to short ..... so never a hot meal unless you count the panini as a hot meal. Granted there is little competition on the trn route (only Ryanair year round) and easyJet in the winter, but the club cabin is often packed and even business destinations like Milan are now medium (same service, bar the champagne being poured out of a large bottle.... and I'd rather have a small one to myself).
Breakfast remains the same folks, but it's quite funny how afternoon tea (whether we liked it or not) is now minus scone! Very British :-) it's honestly a good result for medium range locations (like Rome, Budapest, Dubrovnik or Ibiza), but bad for those previous band 3s. Interestingly the previous band 3s which have been downgraded tend to be from gatters...... so maybe that's the market there; despite a positive new F lounge. Time to reduce expectations onboard.
Breakfast remains the same folks, but it's quite funny how afternoon tea (whether we liked it or not) is now minus scone! Very British :-) it's honestly a good result for medium range locations (like Rome, Budapest, Dubrovnik or Ibiza), but bad for those previous band 3s. Interestingly the previous band 3s which have been downgraded tend to be from gatters...... so maybe that's the market there; despite a positive new F lounge. Time to reduce expectations onboard.
To to get a hot meal (rather than a toastie) outside of meal times you need to be on a LONG flight like BUD or HEL.
so Bands 1-3A have either stayed roughly the same or been downgraded, whilst 3B and 4 have got better. Particular winners are those former Band 3 destinations which are now 'long'.
Hopefully I got that right.
Mar 27, 2017, 2:06 pm
#357
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Edinburgh UK
Programs: BA Silver, HHonours Gold, Mucci of Pucci, Oyster Card, Nectar Card, Father's Day Card
Posts: 9,372
When CE starts on UK Domestic - the breakfast service will effectively the same as Economy got before Christmas but served on a plate.
The panini and the half chicken nugget salad are smaller than the Salads we used to get on UK Dom 8 years or so ago - remember when we used to call those MINI Club Europe Salads - they'd look positively giant compared to this new joke offering.
Apart from the obvious cost - maybe they should have divided all areas into breakfast and rest of the day and just served everyone a hot dish (they can manage a breakfast why not a enonomy meal on a plate)? Ditch the sweet and save the space on the plate. At least it would feel substantial rather than the two bites and it's gone salad thingy.
The panini and the half chicken nugget salad are smaller than the Salads we used to get on UK Dom 8 years or so ago - remember when we used to call those MINI Club Europe Salads - they'd look positively giant compared to this new joke offering.
Apart from the obvious cost - maybe they should have divided all areas into breakfast and rest of the day and just served everyone a hot dish (they can manage a breakfast why not a enonomy meal on a plate)? Ditch the sweet and save the space on the plate. At least it would feel substantial rather than the two bites and it's gone salad thingy.
Mar 27, 2017, 2:12 pm
#358
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,213
Actually, TRN is now in the Short category, as counter intuitive as that seems. Of the Italian destinations, two are Short (GOA and TRN), six are Medium (BLQ, LIN, MXP, PSA, VCE, and VRN), and six are Long (BRI, CAG, CTA, FCO, OLB, and NAP)
Mar 27, 2017, 2:21 pm
#359
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC, AA, Emirates, Hilton, Hyatt, Taj Hotels
Posts: 2,345
Agreed. Looks like a winning option over the sandwich fingers. I think the salami is a bit odd - would rather see a wedge of good English cheddar or a small pork pie to get some 'authenticity' on the plate.
Actually the Ploughman's Lunch was an invention of something like the Cheese Marketing Board to get Brits to eat more cheese in the 50's or 60's. It was basically cheese, pickled onion, branston pickle, crusty bread and apple. Ideally washed down with cider/scrumpy or beer/ale. Nothing wrong with adding some good ham/pork pie/scotch egg. A packet of crisps often helps round things off!!
Before the arrival of the gastropub, or indeed the advent of any meaningful food in British Pubs beyond peanuts, the Ploughman's Lunch was about as good as it got in the old days
Actually the Ploughman's Lunch was an invention of something like the Cheese Marketing Board to get Brits to eat more cheese in the 50's or 60's. It was basically cheese, pickled onion, branston pickle, crusty bread and apple. Ideally washed down with cider/scrumpy or beer/ale. Nothing wrong with adding some good ham/pork pie/scotch egg. A packet of crisps often helps round things off!!
Before the arrival of the gastropub, or indeed the advent of any meaningful food in British Pubs beyond peanuts, the Ploughman's Lunch was about as good as it got in the old days
Mar 27, 2017, 3:06 pm
#360
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,356
I don't know why BA have bothered separating Short and Medium - they appear to get identical food. The only difference appears to be wine/champagne in full size bottles on Medium, plus a pre-meal bar service at lunch and dinner. They may as well just have cut the bar service and stuck with the smaller bottles and be done with it.
Dreadful.
Dreadful.