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 24, 2017, 4:38 pm
#106
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: London
Programs: DL FO, BA Bronze, Avis Preferred
Posts: 851
As I've just booked CE flights to AGP for May, even though both were going to be Afternoon Tea, I was pleasantly surprised to see I'll be getting full meals!
I look forward to seeing the menus.
I look forward to seeing the menus.
Mar 24, 2017, 8:50 pm
#107
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
I know we used to get canapes, and then we got breadsticks instead, and then it became 'cheese OR pudding', then we got salad instead of the breadsticks, and then the salad got scrapped (from memory) but cheese AND pudding were restored.
If we are getting a starter, cheese AND pudding (as well as the hot main), that would be a proper improvement or at least restoration of the old band 4 pattern of getting 'something' before the main (although the canapes/breadsticks were never on the meal tray, it came with the first drink from memory), I think?
Or have I missed something lately?
Mar 24, 2017, 10:08 pm
#108
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LHR
Programs: BA GGL/GfL, A3 Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 320
Does anybody know if the CE coffee is supposed to be improving as part of these changes? Or will it be the same semi-opaque rusty water?
Mar 24, 2017, 10:59 pm
#109
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: 30,546
Mar 25, 2017, 2:49 am
#110
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,229
Is there still a full bar service available on all flights?
Thank you by the way to Prospero and whoever the source at BA is for the info on this! It'll be interesting to see.
Those CE cups were nice, but at least a mug will give a proper amount of a drink.
Thank you by the way to Prospero and whoever the source at BA is for the info on this! It'll be interesting to see.
Those CE cups were nice, but at least a mug will give a proper amount of a drink.
Mar 25, 2017, 3:08 am
#111
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL, A3 Gold, M&M SEN, FlyingBlue Gold, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Amb
Posts: 902
Mar 25, 2017, 3:11 am
#112
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: 63,857
For Heathrow Do&Co have been the supplier for 2 years now, though DHL handle the logistics. You can tell if you look under the puddings, there is often a Do&Co label there. LGW have a different supplier. The rise in "this CE meal was surprisingly tasty" comments here on FT struck me as starting when Do&Co took over the contract.
Mar 25, 2017, 3:21 am
#113
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Tokyo
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 194
I would have thought they may have made MAD long given its significance with the IB connecting market.
Whatever changes they make, I hope they keep the pork belly. I loved that dish.
Mar 25, 2017, 4:41 am
#114
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,180
I fly NCE a lot and the crew go like the clappers most times as the CE load can go a long way back. If there it is a bit bumpy over the Alps during the climb then it can slow down ever further.
Mar 25, 2017, 5:50 am
#115
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK/France
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, EY Plat, etc
Posts: 351
Don't be silly, this is BA. In an effort to reduce costs and hit a middle management bonus target they've ended up with two entirely separate outsourced supply chains that provide identical offerings either side of a piece of blue fabric hanging from an aircraft ceiling.
Mar 25, 2017, 6:08 am
#116
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Tokyo
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 194
Alex Cruz's statement about always cutting cost can be achieved through efficiencies and not just product reduction so I cannot imagine he would have signed off on something that potentially increases logistical complexity and increases cost.
Mar 25, 2017, 6:36 am
#117
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,644
I've only just seen this thread. I'm doing a new "long" route next week, so looking forward to trying the new product. Is the champagne still Castelnau?
Oh dear, I hope this isn't the case.
Another anomaly of the medium/long split is that IBZ is long, whilst neighbouring PMI/MAH are medium. The difference in flight times can't be more than 5 minutes. Clearly the bandings were created with a ruler only, and no sense of logic.
Another anomaly of the medium/long split is that IBZ is long, whilst neighbouring PMI/MAH are medium. The difference in flight times can't be more than 5 minutes. Clearly the bandings were created with a ruler only, and no sense of logic.
Mar 25, 2017, 7:20 am
#118
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,041
Are you sure about that? PMI is medium and VLC is a shorter distance.
Mar 25, 2017, 7:23 am
#119
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: glasgow, scotland
Programs: BA Executive Club Gold
Posts: 224
I haven't seen it mentioned but I heard from a crew friend that the 'long' bands are further differentiated into two groups.
The product will be largely the same - menu - meal order taken - drinks service - tray with starter - then delivery of the hot meal.
The difference is in the delivery; on the shorter 'long' flights the starter plate is cleared as the hot meal is delivered from the trolley at the same time, where as on the longer 'long' flights the starter is cleared in and then the mains are delivered two at a time from the galley, as happens in Club World.
Is it just me that thinks this service is going to pose a serious time issue given that even an FCO or IBZ is a 'long' flight? Especially as they are apparently making a pass of the cabin to take meal orders, a separate delivery of a starter THEN main AND going back and forth pouring from full size wine bottles?
The product will be largely the same - menu - meal order taken - drinks service - tray with starter - then delivery of the hot meal.
The difference is in the delivery; on the shorter 'long' flights the starter plate is cleared as the hot meal is delivered from the trolley at the same time, where as on the longer 'long' flights the starter is cleared in and then the mains are delivered two at a time from the galley, as happens in Club World.
Is it just me that thinks this service is going to pose a serious time issue given that even an FCO or IBZ is a 'long' flight? Especially as they are apparently making a pass of the cabin to take meal orders, a separate delivery of a starter THEN main AND going back and forth pouring from full size wine bottles?
Mar 25, 2017, 7:51 am
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,593
Haha... So the hot meal is a cheese toastie? Have I understood that correctly. How amusing. So much excitement over nothing in fact the real insiders are actually saying its a downgrade from current short and medium offering. Fascinating. I think working class rights-warrior Ms Miller should spin for BA.
Let's hazard a guess that the toastie is actually smaller than the bacon (or "seasonal") hot sarnie for sale down the back.
Let's hazard a guess that the toastie is actually smaller than the bacon (or "seasonal") hot sarnie for sale down the back.