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
May 29, 2018, 3:17 pm
#2431
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,866
Only madrid has been promotedif you read back on this thread over the last week or so there has been speculation why
May 29, 2018, 3:28 pm
#2432
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,875
Now that’s a surprise, I didn’t know! When did that happen? It must have been after March, as back then I got the dreaded panini/salad options.
I’m still tempted to have the burger in the lounge instead. What would you do?
By the way, what other routes have been “promoted”?
I’m still tempted to have the burger in the lounge instead. What would you do?
By the way, what other routes have been “promoted”?
I have had a few long band meals and I have been pleased with them, they seem better than even the old band 4 meals. Personally I would stick to the normal meal, but I haven't tried the long band special meals so potentially there may be something worth requesting.
May 29, 2018, 11:33 pm
#2433
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Bonvoy Tit, Hilton Dia etc etc
Posts: 2,354
I agree with KARFA here, on LB I would only swap if, as sometimes happens, I end up doing four or six flights within a couple of weeks and just want to try something else. As luck would have it, I usually end up on Medium band anyway 
It's more often likely to be breakfast for me than dinner which I swap here (I do like a curry for breakfast) as the other meals have mostly been quite nice.
It's more often likely to be breakfast for me than dinner which I swap here (I do like a curry for breakfast) as the other meals have mostly been quite nice.
May 30, 2018, 5:42 am
#2434
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 844
I've only had Kosher meals in my life on BA. But the potions are by far the largest. I have noticed others here on FT who order Kosher as the portions are bigger and the meals are tasty. As you are flying out of LHR, you would get the kings of Kosher providing the meal Hermolis-so try Kosher out.
May 30, 2018, 10:24 am
#2435
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,345
Flying CE long band from LGW next month, is there a choice at breakfast like you get on the mains for lunch and dinner please? Any copies of the likely menu cards ? Thanks
May 30, 2018, 10:27 am
#2436
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,875
the choice would be vegetarian or non-vegetarian breakfast. there is a link to a photo of a long band vegetarian breakfast towards the bottom of the wiki.
May 30, 2018, 10:45 am
#2438
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
No, but they don't load as many veggie breakfasts and they can run out - e.g. last week on an LHR long flight, everyone in the first two rows asked for veggie, so tough luck for anyone sat further back. If you object to the standard English meat-based breakfast, then pre-order.
Jun 1, 2018, 4:31 am
#2439
Join Date: May 2012
Location: London & Penzance (UK)
Programs: BA Bronze, KrisFlyer Silver
Posts: 347
CE catering - BA542 (LHR-BLQ 1445)
I think that it had been pretty clearly concluded that it was only MAD that has been moved from Medium to Long recently - last Saturday’s flight confirmed that BLQ is still definitely Medium as we were ceremonially treated to three small sandwiches each.
In the interests of research I ordered a Muslim meal and MrsPZE went for ovo-lacto vegetarian. MiniPZE was on standard meal having had some bad experiences of kids’ meals in the past.
We were in row 5 (of 5). The trip started a bit eccentrically when the CSM brought my meal straight out of the galley immediately after the hot towels. I must have looked confused because he then said “actually, shall I put it to one side and bring it out with main service? I just wanted to make sure it didn’t accidentally get served to someone else.” - and then it disappeared again. Similar conversation with MrsPZE although without actually presenting the meal and then confiscating it.
Service was actually pretty fast, I think I was reunited with my special meal within 10 minutes.
Onto the food itself:
As usual (based on other reports), not enough ploughmanses were loaded. They ran out in 4F so only just missed them. They looked very nice and quite a respectable amount of food for the time of day.
Standard sandwiches were as previously reported: try not to breathe in when they arrive in case you inhale them by mistake.
Muslim meal was a bit of a surprise... two egg and chive sandwiches and something that looked like a ham sandwich.
It also smelt and tasted like a ham sandwich, only with a spicy tikka-style dressing. I still can’t work out what it was but best guess is some kind of turkey ham dyed pink (that or the Muslim meal supplier has gone badly wrong).
Vegetarian meal was three very pleasant sandwiches with some mixture of grilled Mediterranean vegetables, tomato and pesto in various combinations. They appeared to be vegan, slightly confusingly OLV meal was the only one with no egg sandwiches... it was the tastiest combination out of standard, Muslim and vegetarian by some way, so would probably opt for that in future.
A few observations in no particular order
I think that it had been pretty clearly concluded that it was only MAD that has been moved from Medium to Long recently - last Saturday’s flight confirmed that BLQ is still definitely Medium as we were ceremonially treated to three small sandwiches each.
In the interests of research I ordered a Muslim meal and MrsPZE went for ovo-lacto vegetarian. MiniPZE was on standard meal having had some bad experiences of kids’ meals in the past.
We were in row 5 (of 5). The trip started a bit eccentrically when the CSM brought my meal straight out of the galley immediately after the hot towels. I must have looked confused because he then said “actually, shall I put it to one side and bring it out with main service? I just wanted to make sure it didn’t accidentally get served to someone else.” - and then it disappeared again. Similar conversation with MrsPZE although without actually presenting the meal and then confiscating it.
Service was actually pretty fast, I think I was reunited with my special meal within 10 minutes.
Onto the food itself:
As usual (based on other reports), not enough ploughmanses were loaded. They ran out in 4F so only just missed them. They looked very nice and quite a respectable amount of food for the time of day.
Standard sandwiches were as previously reported: try not to breathe in when they arrive in case you inhale them by mistake.
Muslim meal was a bit of a surprise... two egg and chive sandwiches and something that looked like a ham sandwich.
It also smelt and tasted like a ham sandwich, only with a spicy tikka-style dressing. I still can’t work out what it was but best guess is some kind of turkey ham dyed pink (that or the Muslim meal supplier has gone badly wrong).
Vegetarian meal was three very pleasant sandwiches with some mixture of grilled Mediterranean vegetables, tomato and pesto in various combinations. They appeared to be vegan, slightly confusingly OLV meal was the only one with no egg sandwiches... it was the tastiest combination out of standard, Muslim and vegetarian by some way, so would probably opt for that in future.
A few observations in no particular order
- on a flight of this length at this time of day it seems fair enough to not serve a “proper” meal but the afternoon tea really lacks any sense of luxury. The cake was a perfectly nice piece of lemon, polenta and olive oil cake (possibly) but no better than I’ve recently had in Y on other European SH flights including BA Cityflyer. For free. Even bringing back scones would make it feel slightly special.
- I asked the crew what the special meals contained and they didn’t know, which is why the tikka-ham mystery remains unsolved. They said it was embarrassing that they could never get information on special meals and understandably people ask what they are eating. Not the crew’s fault but a bit of a service failing from a BA perspective.
- the Muslim meal was a major disappointment compared with the example given in post 813 although to be fair it was up to the (extremely low) standard of the other options.
- Given all the bashing the SH CE product receives, it was interesting that MrsPZE was really impressed with the overall flight experience - the combination of blocked middle seat and decent crew proactively offering drinks was of far more interest than the nature of the food and she felt it worth quite a premium over Y. Seems worth noting given how much mental anguish we all devote to the downgrading/upgrading/slight changing of catering that to someone who flies less frequently CE can seem pretty luxurious (of course this perception might change if the flight spanned a “proper” mealtime from an outstation with no lounge food and the onboard offering was half a prawn and three rocket leaves).
Last edited by PZE; Jun 1, 2018 at 6:19 am Reason: Adding photos
Jun 1, 2018, 6:53 am
#2440
Join Date: May 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 663
Jun 1, 2018, 12:53 pm
#2441
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Cambridgeshire
Programs: Varies
Posts: 1,290
Chose the Chicken Caeser panini over the mozzarella salad and wished we had not. There was no salad, just some weird mashed chicken and a slice of tomato and the panini was hard on the outside and soggy in the middle. Worst BA CE lunch in ages. Before and after photos.
Jun 1, 2018, 1:33 pm
#2442
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Bonvoy Tit, Hilton Dia etc etc
Posts: 2,354
You won't get any complaint on that, it's been poor for many a year and got worse with the catering changes. Hard to know how they will extend service to mediums, but I would be surprised if this included replacing the tea service. As it was before on these routes, it may well be a meal at lunch & dinner, tea and breakfast/brunch outside of those. Be nice if this could be validated on the MAD route.
Jun 1, 2018, 2:08 pm
#2443
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: ba exec club
Posts: 126
Early evening meal from EDI-LCY, prawn salad was very sizeable and nice dessert and fresh bread.
Jun 1, 2018, 3:11 pm
#2444
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,121
Jun 1, 2018, 3:19 pm
#2445
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,121
Breakfast, BA1414, LHR - BHD, 18 May
I hate the splashes on the side of the main plate.
Was nice enough.
I hate the splashes on the side of the main plate.
Was nice enough.
