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 28, 2017, 8:27 am
#391
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: 63,804
Tea can't brew in a puddle, let alone keep its temperature. I'm now trying to work out how they kept those previous stupidly designed mugs for so long. Proper black mugs for all, I say.
Mar 28, 2017, 8:31 am
#392
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
Oh, I'm more of a coffee person and I much preferred the old design. But that's progress for you...everything's getting simplified.
Mar 28, 2017, 8:56 am
#393
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: BA Silver, SAS Silver, Oman Air Silver, Hilton Silver, Amex Gold
Posts: 19
Is there any news on what a special meal is like with the new CE offerings?
I have a few AMS and DUB flights coming up, which were booked in mind of the nice enough meals I've had before (salmon skewers and couscous was always perfectly fine). In comparison, the panini looks like a bit of a joke that I'd like to avoid... I'm mainly holding out hope that there is some way to avoid the enhancement of a 'premium' cheese and tomato sandwich.
Ho-hum, at least I have one flight coming up where I can have the tasty-looking ploughmans...
I have a few AMS and DUB flights coming up, which were booked in mind of the nice enough meals I've had before (salmon skewers and couscous was always perfectly fine). In comparison, the panini looks like a bit of a joke that I'd like to avoid... I'm mainly holding out hope that there is some way to avoid the enhancement of a 'premium' cheese and tomato sandwich.
Ho-hum, at least I have one flight coming up where I can have the tasty-looking ploughmans...
Mar 28, 2017, 10:37 am
#394
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: 30,528
If anyone has tried any of those (or other) I'd be very interested. If not I'll report next week when I have my first chance to be on one of those routes in ce.
Mar 28, 2017, 11:49 am
#395
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SYD, GOT
Programs: BA GGL; SK EBG; QF LTG; Hilton Diamond, A-Club Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,723
Wow....so am I correct in the interpretation that the 19.20 LHR/GOT flight which used to be a great end to the day with a small cabin, and a nice hot meal (chicken or fish - but either option was good), has now been replaced by a choice or small salad or a hot panini? (I know I crave toasted sandwiches but not in the air please....)
There goes any business case for taking CE on EU travel....
There goes any business case for taking CE on EU travel....
Mar 28, 2017, 1:16 pm
#396
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,741
To be honest C-W-S, there isn't much in the 'improvements' that you've listed that would really impress me. As someone who likes to eat a balanced meal I'd be much more concerned about the loss of fruit.
But I have to ask.....what is it about the new mug that makes such a difference??
But I have to ask.....what is it about the new mug that makes such a difference??
But, to be honest, I can't say I feel incentivised to try it and find out.
I think my days of flying CE, except for the longest flights, are now over.
Mar 28, 2017, 1:17 pm
#397
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,130
Well rather than May, I will get to try Club Europe next week. To Belfast of all places!
Mar 28, 2017, 1:40 pm
#398
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
It seems to me that the most significant impact is on the old band 3 routes. There seems to be a genuine, meaningful improvement for the longer ones (mostly leisure destinations) that now fall in "long." OTOH, there is a very substantial downgrading for the ex-band 3s that now fall in "medium".
Mar 28, 2017, 1:57 pm
#399
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
On the before & after breakfast photos : the loss of the fruit plate means that the only vaguely healthy part of the overall 'package' has now gone.
Don't feel either version is particularly premium (although adequate for a short sector) ; but on balance, would be happier to retain the old breakfast than switch to the new.
Don't feel either version is particularly premium (although adequate for a short sector) ; but on balance, would be happier to retain the old breakfast than switch to the new.
Mar 28, 2017, 2:13 pm
#400
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dublin/UK/SPAIN
Programs: BA Gold. EI GoldCircle
Posts: 784
In all fairness, I had the panini on the MAD - LHR yesterday and it was rather tasty. Better than the "salad" on offer that consisted of one prawn, a smattering of lettuce leaves and something else I had no idea of - I'm sure it's upthread somewhere but TL/DR...
I was more concerned with the fact there was no IFE on the 777 and I couldn't even charge my phone! I assume that's how it is on the short hop but it's still pretty stingy especially when Iberia turn theirs on when the A340 is rostered on the same route. Shame.
I was more concerned with the fact there was no IFE on the 777 and I couldn't even charge my phone! I assume that's how it is on the short hop but it's still pretty stingy especially when Iberia turn theirs on when the A340 is rostered on the same route. Shame.
Mar 28, 2017, 2:18 pm
#401
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dublin/UK/SPAIN
Programs: BA Gold. EI GoldCircle
Posts: 784
From my JER photos upthread, I realise that I'm able to do a clear "before" and "after" for the Short band flights at least for breakfast and brunch.
What's more, for the breakfast - by coincidence - the aircraft, route and the CSM were the same! So same oven, same timings, same chef. The brunch photo "before" is a LHR version (you can tell by the
butter colour, which perhaps means I've been flying too much) but it is identical to LGW other than the fruit component on LHR was very variable, something LGW didn't suffer from.
So "Before" for Short Breakfast LGW-JER:
The "After":
Improvements:
- Overall presentation
- Served hotter
- Tomato taste improvement, less stewed, more grilled flavour
- Firmer omelette
- New bread items
- Better quality butter (see below)
- New mug makes such a difference
- Bread plate (for me a non issue, but never mind)
- Croissant looked plumper and larger than before. Don't read anything into the fact that the Before had a croissant, that was just me being greedy).
- Moma muesli pot
Diminishments:
- Fruit plate replaced by muesli
Overall: a big improvement on these set of routes
And "Before" Brunch (LHR):
The "After" Brunch (LGW):
Improvements:
- Overall presentation
- Better cheese
- Better balance of items
- New bread items
- More egg (and presumably free-range from the colour)
- Better quality butter
- New mug
- Croissant improvement
Diminishments:
- fruit plate
- slightly reduced food quantity
Overall: an improvement, but I suspect few passengers would notice.
For my "after" breakfast, the red stain above the mushrooms was due to the tomato slightly sticking to the cover foil, and I wiped the excess on to that edge of the plate. Incidentally I did see a fruit plate going back JER-LGW, someone's special meal but I wasn't in a position to find out more.
Butter: as a farmer I know I'm supposed to bang the drum for the UK dairy industry, which has suffered terribly over the last two decades, partly due to increased foreign competition. But the two previous varieties were pretty awful, and both Président (LHR) and Elle et Vire (LGW) are much better quality products than the previous items, so it's difficult to know where to start there. Maybe it's just something the French do better.
I'm in a longhaul and AA loop for a few more weeks so though I've got plenty of "before" photos on my Cloud, I can't really make any more comparisons until mid April. But my general impression from what I've seen (but not experienced) is noticeable improvement to Short and Long, with particular note of those routes move to Long; however a downgrade on Mediums for lunch / evening meals.
What's more, for the breakfast - by coincidence - the aircraft, route and the CSM were the same! So same oven, same timings, same chef. The brunch photo "before" is a LHR version (you can tell by the
butter colour, which perhaps means I've been flying too much) but it is identical to LGW other than the fruit component on LHR was very variable, something LGW didn't suffer from.
So "Before" for Short Breakfast LGW-JER:
The "After":
Improvements:
- Overall presentation
- Served hotter
- Tomato taste improvement, less stewed, more grilled flavour
- Firmer omelette
- New bread items
- Better quality butter (see below)
- New mug makes such a difference
- Bread plate (for me a non issue, but never mind)
- Croissant looked plumper and larger than before. Don't read anything into the fact that the Before had a croissant, that was just me being greedy).
- Moma muesli pot
Diminishments:
- Fruit plate replaced by muesli
Overall: a big improvement on these set of routes
And "Before" Brunch (LHR):
The "After" Brunch (LGW):
Improvements:
- Overall presentation
- Better cheese
- Better balance of items
- New bread items
- More egg (and presumably free-range from the colour)
- Better quality butter
- New mug
- Croissant improvement
Diminishments:
- fruit plate
- slightly reduced food quantity
Overall: an improvement, but I suspect few passengers would notice.
For my "after" breakfast, the red stain above the mushrooms was due to the tomato slightly sticking to the cover foil, and I wiped the excess on to that edge of the plate. Incidentally I did see a fruit plate going back JER-LGW, someone's special meal but I wasn't in a position to find out more.
Butter: as a farmer I know I'm supposed to bang the drum for the UK dairy industry, which has suffered terribly over the last two decades, partly due to increased foreign competition. But the two previous varieties were pretty awful, and both Président (LHR) and Elle et Vire (LGW) are much better quality products than the previous items, so it's difficult to know where to start there. Maybe it's just something the French do better.
I'm in a longhaul and AA loop for a few more weeks so though I've got plenty of "before" photos on my Cloud, I can't really make any more comparisons until mid April. But my general impression from what I've seen (but not experienced) is noticeable improvement to Short and Long, with particular note of those routes move to Long; however a downgrade on Mediums for lunch / evening meals.
Some good photos and enjoy the bit about the butter!! As I'm Irish you just can't beat kerrygold. It has to be yellow butter not that white stuff. I think AA use it on some routes.
Any my ideas if this is the same breakfast that will be on the long routes? If so seems a bit of a let down given the increased offerings at other times of the day compared to the medium and short meals.
Mar 28, 2017, 2:21 pm
#402
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: 30,528
I am not sure I would put these on an equal footing, though. The improvements at both end of the spectrum (short and long) look marginal but the downgrade in the middle is very substantial.
It seems to me that the most significant impact is on the old band 3 routes. There seems to be a genuine, meaningful improvement for the longer ones (mostly leisure destinations) that now fall in "long." OTOH, there is a very substantial downgrading for the ex-band 3s that now fall in "medium".
It seems to me that the most significant impact is on the old band 3 routes. There seems to be a genuine, meaningful improvement for the longer ones (mostly leisure destinations) that now fall in "long." OTOH, there is a very substantial downgrading for the ex-band 3s that now fall in "medium".
To be honest, I'm not even sure that I think of short as improved (either substantively or marginally) as the former main course salad for lunch/dinner was much larger than the new 'amuse bouche' version, the brunch plate has reduced in size, and the afternoon tea has lost its scones (not something I'll personally miss but I know many will) so it seems to me that many short route flyers will consider themselves worse rather than better off.
Like NickB, apart from domestic, I'd say that the most significant impact by very, very far, and the only significant change is for former band 3. It's as though some BA router was dispatching band 3 flights to heaven or hell with his/her magic wand, with the former 3B being much improved particularly for former brunch and tea time flights, and the former 3A being very much worse off, particularly for lunch and dinner time flights.
Mar 29, 2017, 12:15 am
#403
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
Sorry... replying to childs meal conversation few pages back...
We travelled CDG-LHR yesterday afternoon, and the child's meal was the same Mozzarella/tomato plate, but being a shorter flight and afternoon tea time, the kids meal lacked the bread / mousse, and gained a slightly different (from the adult) mini-sponge cake.
Needless to say, I ate well on the flight while the little one just carried on with his sticker book (having told me "that's not real cheese").
Crew were surprised, and (proactively) gave me a feedback form which I filled in for feedback.
We travelled CDG-LHR yesterday afternoon, and the child's meal was the same Mozzarella/tomato plate, but being a shorter flight and afternoon tea time, the kids meal lacked the bread / mousse, and gained a slightly different (from the adult) mini-sponge cake.
Needless to say, I ate well on the flight while the little one just carried on with his sticker book (having told me "that's not real cheese").
Crew were surprised, and (proactively) gave me a feedback form which I filled in for feedback.
Mar 29, 2017, 12:36 am
#404
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: Honors Lifetime Diamond, BAEC Gold
Posts: 67
Short veggie afternoon tea
Is there any news on what a special meal is like with the new CE offerings?
I have a few AMS and DUB flights coming up, which were booked in mind of the nice enough meals I've had before (salmon skewers and couscous was always perfectly fine). In comparison, the panini looks like a bit of a joke that I'd like to avoid... I'm mainly holding out hope that there is some way to avoid the enhancement of a 'premium' cheese and tomato sandwich.
Ho-hum, at least I have one flight coming up where I can have the tasty-looking ploughmans...
I have a few AMS and DUB flights coming up, which were booked in mind of the nice enough meals I've had before (salmon skewers and couscous was always perfectly fine). In comparison, the panini looks like a bit of a joke that I'd like to avoid... I'm mainly holding out hope that there is some way to avoid the enhancement of a 'premium' cheese and tomato sandwich.
Ho-hum, at least I have one flight coming up where I can have the tasty-looking ploughmans...
The veggie brunch short/medium afternoon tea.
As was before,minus the scone.
Last edited by dave10; Mar 29, 2017 at 1:17 am
Mar 29, 2017, 12:41 am
#405
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: 30,528
+1. In fact, espresso machine and matching cups is one improvement I would have certainly welcomed! I don't like/use mugs but I guess that's a cultural thing.