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 26, 2017, 9:40 am
#211
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 2,068
However, it is very hot, soft and tasty, which I guess is the whole point.
Agree with those who think the salad is a bit on the light side. One thing to point out. If you're hungry and willing to take a chance, the "salad" is a perfect starter. You can always ask the crew to give you the sandwich also after everyone has been served... but there is the chance you take in case there isn't one left.
Mar 26, 2017, 9:44 am
#212
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,922
The small bottles have been replaced to save money.
The hot meals have been replaced to save money.
The portions have been cut-back to save money (like the egg slither and missing fruit!).
Say it how it is! How anyone can say this is an improvement is quite comical in my opinion. And yes, my opinion counts too!
I still have a stack of Avios, and if BA had really improved the offering then I might have booked some CE flights, but this is a joke.
The hot meals have been replaced to save money.
The portions have been cut-back to save money (like the egg slither and missing fruit!).
Say it how it is! How anyone can say this is an improvement is quite comical in my opinion. And yes, my opinion counts too!
I still have a stack of Avios, and if BA had really improved the offering then I might have booked some CE flights, but this is a joke.
Had the poster paid a little more attention to the photographs he might have noticed that the egg in question appears to have been reduced by half, he would also have noticed that the portion size of the cold plate appears also to have received a significant downsizing from what would have been served yesterday. In my view that aspect of the brunch service has certainly been downgraded. However, the introduction of the hot sandwich is a welcome addition in my view.
What looks 'horrid' about the meals?
Mar 26, 2017, 10:01 am
#213
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
Programs: Star Alliance Gold (A3 Gold), Oneworld Emerald (BA Gold), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,338
I was referring to the 'improvement' generally - hence no small bottles on Medium and Long banded flights...and we all know why.
An addition to what exactly? You won't be getting your hot meal or your 'salad' and then have the hot sandwich too, unless of course you ask (or plead!) for something else to eat! This is it folks, the new improved Club Europe. 
If these are the meals that they'll be dishing out on routes like VIE, PMI, OSL then it certainly looks pitiful to me.
If these are the meals that they'll be dishing out on routes like VIE, PMI, OSL then it certainly looks pitiful to me.
Mar 26, 2017, 10:02 am
#214
Join Date: May 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 663
This is the VLML: in my experience, special meal portions are usually smaller anyway - apparently us lentil huggers don't need as much food as normal people....! But yes, definitely not a feast. It never occurred to me to ask for a sandwich as well (assuming there had been any left), but I think I might try if faced with this particular plate again (assuming the sandwich was non-meaty).
Mar 26, 2017, 10:13 am
#215
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
I was referring to the 'improvement' generally - hence no small bottles on Medium and Long banded flights...and we all know why.
An addition to what exactly? You won't be getting your hot meal or your 'salad' and then have the hot sandwich too, unless of course you ask (or plead!) for something else to eat! This is it folks, the new improved Club Europe.
If these are the meals that they'll be dishing out on routes like VIE, PMI, OSL then it certainly looks pitiful to me.
An addition to what exactly? You won't be getting your hot meal or your 'salad' and then have the hot sandwich too, unless of course you ask (or plead!) for something else to eat! This is it folks, the new improved Club Europe.
If these are the meals that they'll be dishing out on routes like VIE, PMI, OSL then it certainly looks pitiful to me.
You have to chuckle when you think some people really were expecting an improvement.
The hot sandwich looks delightful - a veritable doughfest.
Mar 26, 2017, 10:16 am
#216
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
Programs: Star Alliance Gold (A3 Gold), Oneworld Emerald (BA Gold), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,338
Mar 26, 2017, 10:24 am
#217
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,078
Again, the sandwich seems good, but the alternative main plate... is it recommended from weight watchers?
Is it dedicated to people connecting to/from long hauls, where the meals are (still?) bigger, so the feeder flight offer doesn't need to fill the stomach?
Mar 26, 2017, 10:36 am
#218
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,922
I was referring to the 'improvement' generally - hence no small bottles on Medium and Long banded flights...and we all know why.
An addition to what exactly? You won't be getting your hot meal or your 'salad' and then have the hot sandwich too, unless of course you ask (or plead!) for something else to eat! This is it folks, the new improved Club Europe.
If these are the meals that they'll be dishing out on routes like VIE, PMI, OSL then it certainly looks pitiful to me.
An addition to what exactly? You won't be getting your hot meal or your 'salad' and then have the hot sandwich too, unless of course you ask (or plead!) for something else to eat! This is it folks, the new improved Club Europe.
If these are the meals that they'll be dishing out on routes like VIE, PMI, OSL then it certainly looks pitiful to me.
The welcome addition is the sandwich on Brunch flights - it's nice to have an option: a light plate or something a little more substantial.
Mar 26, 2017, 10:39 am
#219
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Tonbridge
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 2,034
Mar 26, 2017, 10:48 am
#220
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Says a bit when a sandwich fills the role of something more substantial.
Mar 26, 2017, 10:51 am
#221
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
Programs: Star Alliance Gold (A3 Gold), Oneworld Emerald (BA Gold), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,338
I've nothing against full-sized bottles per se, if they're going to hand out big bottles to everyone who wants one, that's great!
Nice choice of words! Great, I hope you enjoy it.
Mar 26, 2017, 10:56 am
#222
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,227
Well I can't WAIT for the Club World enhancements!
Mar 26, 2017, 11:01 am
#223
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Buckinghamshire
Programs: BAEC Gold Guest List, Hilton Honours Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 2,303
I wonder if a vegetarian option will be offered as standard on all meal services from now on? I'm tired of ordering VLML and then getting: a) no choice and potentially something I'm not keen on, b) As I'm a p/t pescatarian seeing that being offered as one of the two main dinner options and not being able to have it.
Mar 26, 2017, 11:05 am
#224
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,427
Mar 26, 2017, 11:05 am
#225
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,922
As for the rest, I'm reserving judgment until I've actually experienced it. I'd rather not moan just yet, no matter how fashionable that maybe here at the moment.