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Old Sep 12, 2018, 5:55 am
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Last edit by: EJetter
Club Europe Catering Guide - September 2018 onwards

This thread outlines the new arrangements for Club Europe catering introduced on Wednesday 12 September 2018 based on 5 bands (Express, and Bands 1-4). 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 the menus for LGW routes rotate monthly, whereas LHR routes rotate bi-weekly

Please keep this thread clear for for reviews, menu descriptions, and photos. For chat about the new service arrangements there is a dedicated thread has now been set up for this Club Europe catering opinions and general discussion

Please do not quote photos in this thread.

The previous shorthaul catering guide for Sunday 26 March 2017 to Tuesday 11 September 2018 is now locked, but is to be found here.

Numbers relate to the post number. Vegetarian means the alternative option provided as standard rather than the special meals. The pre-ordered special meals are AVML (Asia-vegetarian), CHML(children meal), DBML (diabetic meal), GFML (gluten free), HNML (Hindu non-vegetarian meal), KSML (Kosher meal), LCML (low calorie meal), LFML (low fat meal), NLML (low-lactose meal), LSML (low salt meal), MOML (Muslim meal), VGML (vegan meal), and VLML (lacto-ovo vegetarian).

There are differences between the offering in/out of LHR, LGW, and BA CityFlyer routes operated from LCY, STN, BRS, BHX, MAN, EDI, and DUB. For BA CityFlyer flights please refer to this guide created by eJetter BA CityFlyer catering guide

Last update: post 1830
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Chef's Chat sheets for:

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Express (LBA, MAN, and JER only. Note JER is classes at express but gets band 1 service)

Breakfast: 176, 289 (KSML), 345 (VLML), 347 (JER), 375, 622, 705, 1063, 1359, 1390 (JER)
Brunch: 813, 987 (AVML), 1066
Lunch: 226, 326, 388 (KSML), 427 (AVML), 553 (KSML), 586, 678, 887, 1014 (JER), 1015, 1128, 1139, 1148 (KSML), 1276, 1351, 1396, 1452, 1456, 1789
Afternoon tea: 103, 176, 643 (LCML), 733, 1038
Dinner: 279, 332 (JER), 359 (AVML), 521, 588, 608, 647, 752, 914, 941, 950, 961, 1006 (KSML), 1014 (JER), 1016, 1026, 1050 (AVML), 1054 (KSML), 1095, 1142 (VLML), 1143 (NLML), 1186 (KSML), 1399 (JER), 1523, 1524 (KSML), 1598

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Band 1 (UK, France, Ireland, BeNeLux, Germany)

Breakfast: 9, 56, 105, 183, 203, 256, 304, 377, 420 (LGW), 445, 452 (VGML), 457 (VGML), 558, 641, 971 (LGW), 1071, 1417, 1424, 1584 (VGML), 1605, 1638, 1748,1758 (LGW), 1810
Brunch: 68, 121, 142, 197, 420, 458, 555, 559, 620 (LCML), 660, 662, 770, 923, 1077 (VGML), 1354, 1410, 1560, 1704, 1747 (LGW), 1755, 1819
Lunch: 16, 142, 147 (VLML), 170 (KSML), 230, 255, 344, 498, 510, 529, 535, 556, 560, 592, 612, 632, 640, 660, 707 (LGW), 713 (KSML), 723, 838, 981 (LGW) (VLML), 1008 (KSML), 1094, 1183 (VGML), 1196, 1222 (VGML), 1223, 1318, 1360, 1461 (VGML), 1475 (LGW), 1539 (LGW) (VLML), 1543, 1709 (LGW), 1778, 1794, 1820 (LGW)
Afternoon tea: 32, 36 (LGW), 71, 90, 104, 123 (LGW), 139 (LCML), 146, 167 (VLML), 207 (KSML), 252, 277, 285, 353 (KSML), 441, 527 (LGW), 557, 739, 783, 831, 907, 976, 1160, 1337 (LGW), 1340, 1343 (VGML), 1382, 1408 (LGW), 1642 (LGW), 1756, 1757, 1804, 1809, 1817
Dinner: 49, 130 (LGW), 142, 642185, 186 (LGW & VLML), 208 (KSML), 225, 225 (LGW), 237, 242, 268, 281, 298, 307 (KSML), 353 (KSML), 367, 436 (AVML), 441, 444, 498, 517 (AVML), 554, 648, 652, 653, 669, 690, 708, 758, 789, 822, 916 (LGW), 917 (LGW), 955 (VGML), 981 (LGW) , 1060, 1070, 1136, 1212 (VGML), 1217, 1218, 1275, 1308 (KSML), 1321, 1358, 1365, 1369, 1529, 1556 (LGW), 1568 (VGML), 1576, 1577, 1617 (LGW), 1638, 1682, 1690, 1703, 1769, 1771, 1778 (VGML), 1788 (VGML), 1812, 1813, 1820 (LGW)

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Band 2 (e.g. Barcelona, Nice, Venice, Prague, Copenhagen)

Breakfast: 8, 269, 309, 329, 400, 576 (KSML), 613, 650 (LGW), 679 (AVML), 914 (AVML), 955 (VGML), 1463, 1655 (LGW)
Brunch: 578, 610, 659, 910
Lunch: 18, 40, 107, 163 (AVML), 235, 421, 431, 504, 578, 614, 760, 894 (VGML), 1243, 1407, 1641 (LGW), 1656 (LGW), 1830
Afternoon tea: 278 (LGW), 306, 362 (KSML), 399, 496 (LGW), 499, 578, 749, 1150, 1191 (AVML), 1204, 1279 (KSML), 1730 (LGW)
Dinner: 155 (AVML), 227, 269, 287, 385, 496 (LGW), 578, 583, 591 (KSML), 593 (LGW), 596 (AVML), 596 (HNML), 794, 875, 910, 925, 937, 940, 982, 1204, 1221 (GFML), 1231 (KSML), 1237, 1238 (AVML), 1720 (LGW), 1774, 1777, 1806, 1830

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Band 3 (e.g. Madrid, Rome, Warsaw, Stockholm)

Breakfast: 57, 171, 418, 507, 631, 677, 762, 956, 1165 (VGML), 1425, 1430, 1443, 1464,1749, 1727, 1749
Rest of the day: 27, 44, 59, 87, 100, 165, 168, 199 (LGW), 200 (LGW), 216, 268, 282, 321 (LGW), 322, 335, 341 (LGW), 343, 350 (LGW), 351 (LGW), 387, 397 (KSML), 398, 400, 419, 429, 435 (AVML), 448 (VGML), 477, 484, 485, 500, 448 (KSML), 551 (LCML), 571 (KSML), 587, 599 (LGW), 619, 649 (KSML), 676, 743 (VLML), 753, 763, 778 (GFML), 780, 803, 806, 816, 854, 880, 882 (LGW), 895, 929, 944, 954, 957, 963, 984, 985, 998 (LFML), 1002, 1017 (LGW), 1035, 1037 (LGW), 1046 (LGW), 1067 (KSML), 1071, 1072, 1074, 1078, 1091, 1097, 1104, 1121, 1126 (LFML), 1127, 1132, 1135, 1145 (KSML), 1151, 1152, 1154 (KSML), 1205, 1220, 1227 (VGML), 1246, 1266, 1269 (LGW), 1272, 1273, 1274, 1323, 1426, 1465 (AVML), 1482, 1504, 1538, 1552, 1561, 1586 (LGW), 1610, 1612, 1620, 1621 (AVML), 1658 (LGW), 1673 (LGW), 1680, 1685, 1687, 1696, 1699 (LGW), 1706, 1718, , 1728, 1731, 1735 (LGW), 1736 (KSML), 1742 (LGW), 1770, 1772, 1773, 1790 (LGW), 1791, 1793, 1796 (LGW), 1805, 1828, 1829

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Band 4 (e.g. Malta, Sofia, Kiev, Istanbul)

Breakfast: 159, 223, 440, 483, 661, 795, 796, 878 (AVML), 898 (LGW), 919 (KSML), 1226
Rest of the day: 61 (LGW), 63 (LGW), 83, 122 (LGW), 129 (LGW), 191 (LGW), 233, 244, 255, 264, 342, 349, 618 (CHML) (LGW), 624, 661, 730 (LGW), 797, 798, 835 (LGW), 836 (LGW), 863 (LGW), 893, 896 (LGW), 897 (LGW), 911 (LGW), 942, 986, 1047, 1141 (CHML), 1149, 1226, 1250 (LGW), 1252 (LGW), 1263, 1277 (LGW), 1280, 1314 (LGW), 1366, 1371, 1450, 1469, 1474, 1484 (LGW), 1497, 1505, 1516, 1520, 1522, 1648, 1661 (LGW), 1662 (LGW), 1681 (LGW), 1722 (LGW) (VGML), 1746 (LGW) (VGML), 1786, 1787, 1811 (LGW)

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Old Sep 13, 2018, 7:00 am
  #76  
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Originally Posted by Seat_1F
Other than the addition of scones and better looking sandwiches, this is where we were before. Why improve almost every offering and not pay attention to afternoon flights?
Isn't that an improvement?

I'm glad they've left the Ploughmans alone, my favourite light offering in CE.
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 7:05 am
  #77  
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Originally Posted by FlightDetective
You would normally eat a meal larger than this between breakfast and lunch on a daily basis when not travelling?!
No, but when I travel the day is different to a regular day anyway. There is a number of reasons why I would want a substantial meal in the air.

Breakfast might be different because I might not have time or might have a connecting flight for example (and no lounge time). Or I might not have time for lunch after the flight due to reason X. Band 2 flights with Brunch and a 1055 departure could take up to 2h (LHR-CPH or so) and arrive at destination around 2pm-ish (+1h time difference).
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 7:11 am
  #78  
 
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Originally Posted by orbitmic
internetplumber, did you mention the hair to the crew? I hope you did!

With more and more meal reviews coming in, I really think that Band 1 now looks like a nicely improve quality. And I also really think that the problem of band 2 has not been resolved at all.
Yes, I am not at all hopeful about my next dinner flight LHRNCE. This used to be Band 3A, which became Medium, which is now Band 2. I will be very disappointed if there is no hot meal for dinner!

Steve
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 7:16 am
  #79  
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Originally Posted by Boyfrombiot
Yes, I am not at all hopeful about my next dinner flight LHRNCE. This used to be Band 3A, which became Medium, which is now Band 2. I will be very disappointed if there is no hot meal for dinner!

Steve
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but short of a catering mistake, there will not be a hot meal indeed. Just the choice of two salads with small starter and small dessert.

Originally Posted by FlightDetective
You would normally eat a meal larger than this between breakfast and lunch on a daily basis when not travelling?!


I can only speak for myself of course, but to be honest, if I am on a brunch-time flight, there is less than 5% that I will have any opportunity to have lunch or anything at all till dinner or supper.
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 7:17 am
  #80  
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Originally Posted by florens
Agreed it looks good but then I still find the portion too small.
It’s a little difficult for me to say - by this stage I’d already had Eggs Benedict in the lounge, followed by the breakfast, so I was pretty stuffed! I would say as a total offering it was more than adequate for the time of day though.
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 7:20 am
  #81  
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Originally Posted by internetplumber
This is from the EDI-LHR service at 15:20 on the 12th. The choice was Ploughman's Lunch (shown here) or Afternoon Tea.



Yes, that is a hair across the Scotch Egg, although I only noticed it later. The tea and coffee was served in mugs -- or so I saw from other people that opted for a hot beverage. There was a scone (which was hot enough that I needed to leave it cool for a couple of minutes) in addition to what is shown here, and a second drinks run with another bottle of Castelnau even though it was just 15 minutes before landing *hic*.
I spy the Rodda's.

Does than mean you can still have the scone even if you choose to have the Ploughman's?

Sounds like the best solution if they have enough scones for everyone in CE.
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 7:20 am
  #82  
 
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Originally Posted by T8191
BA2645, operated by Titan, 1130 departure, 12 Sep 18. Contrary to remarks up-thread, the new catering has also [at least here] rolled out to LGW as well. The CC were a bit surprised too, when they got the new menu cards. The hyperbole in BA's "Welcome on Board" commentary provided a nice giggle

To my surprise, we got a packet of Almonds with the [prompt] first drinks run. I'm not familiar with Band 4 flights, but this seemed a new addition.


On to the prime Topic ...

  • The Antipasti Starter was nice and refreshing. I decided to save some of it to accompany the Cheese.
  • The Massaman Beef Curry was tender and very tasty. Rice was perfect. The solitary manage tout laid on top was an odd idea, and it would have nice if it had been 'stringed' first!
  • The Orchard fruit crop was also delicious. A sort of cold stewed apple on a crumb base, with some other dark fruit in there as well Very refreshing and flavoursome.
  • The Cheese was good, although the Somerset Brie could have been a bit riper [personal preference]. The two lonely grapes justified my retention of some of the Antipasti! The Netherend Farm butter was fine, as were the crispbread biscuits.
A couple of passes of the usual mix of warmed rolls was also included, although the tiny tray left nowhere for them to go other than perched on top of something else! I shall abandon all thoughts of a bread plate!

The Mouton Cadet made a satisfactory accompaniment, and the 2nd bottle was as good as the first.

.
Seems like a mixed bag - I had the Massiman curry last week from LGW, pre changes, and i think it was pretty much the same. Starter seems like a serious downgrade compared to the smoked salmon we had on the way out, and is still a lot smaller than the starter we had on the way back, which contained very similar ingredients - just more of them.
Dessert, there's probably not much of a difference. The addition of a second cheese is a plus, although i quite liked the apple jelly thing that came with it before, so only half a plus point. The return of the small wine bottles is welcome, and must save the crew a bit of work now they don't have to do quite so many top-ups.

Overall, I'd say this a true BA 'enhancement' for the longer routes, with the starters now inferior and the main courses unchanged.

PS - the almonds were served previously, and are a bit tasteless for my liking

Last edited by cosmo74; Sep 13, 2018 at 7:21 am Reason: Edited to mention almonds were not new
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 7:20 am
  #83  
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Band 4 Rest of the day

LHR-IST BA676





As others have suggested upthread, I am not sure there is any difference between bands 3 and 4. It's a similar menu to band 3 though sending sausages to Turkey may be somewhat insensitive. After the magazine distribution, there was a full sized champagne bottle served around the cabin as an aperitif though I went with tea and my preferred fizz.



I went for the gnocchi today and that went down very well. There was a good tomato flavour to the dish, and the courgettes were done to the right level. Despite the sector of that length I would not have wanted any more food. Part of that may be the relatively substantial bread roll. There were plenty spare. I think I saw a SPML whizz past me, I didn't catch a good look at it but it definitely had the slaw and panna cotta on the tray, and it was a hot dish.



31 passengers in CE and only a few empty seats in either cabin. And great service from one of my favourite pursers.
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 7:22 am
  #84  
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Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave
Could you please tell me if the butter was salted? I see it is no longer President.
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 7:23 am
  #85  
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Originally Posted by LTN Phobia
Could you please tell me if the butter was salted? I see it is no longer President.
It is slightly salted
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 7:25 am
  #86  
 
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Originally Posted by LTN Phobia
I spy the Rodda's.

Does than mean you can still have the scone even if you choose to have the Ploughman's?
That was certainly what we had yesterday, although as they say 'the plural of anecdote is not data.' Someone further forward in the cabin asked a question about the catering and the cabin crew replied to say this was the first day of the new menu, whether that was about the scones or not I don't know. However, all trays had clotted cream and jam, and there was a bread basket full of scones brought down after the lunch/tea trays had been served and eaten.
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 8:42 am
  #87  
 
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Originally Posted by T8191
FEMW ... identical to mine ex-MLA, then, although you seem to have had more beef in your curry than I did. I shall demand some Avios in compensation

PS: we don't fly long CE sectors very often, so repetition is less likely to impact us than many here on FT.




Had the same menu today CAG-LGW. I had a caesar salad and my partner had raviolli. It tasted really nice. Crews did 2 drinks rounds before the meal and after clearing starter plates asked if we wanted something else to drink. The only thing missing was a bit of custard with orchard fruit crisp (basically apple&blackberry crumble).
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 8:50 am
  #88  
 
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Have to say my recent CE food experiences (since Nov 2017) are all positive in terms of the menu choice, food, quantity and quality, been on several Istanbul's Athens and Mykonos
Love the smoked salmon starter and the mains are all nice, tasty and edible.
The hot breakfast (English) out of the early IST-LHR was pretty good too, despite I assume loaded in IST where one may have thought it could be a bit off-piste as they say...

BUT foil butter portions (one!) plastic jam potions, and tear open paper sachets for salt n pepper - please no no no no! (That is downright cheap and nasty)
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 9:06 am
  #89  
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Originally Posted by LTN Phobia
I spy the Rodda's.

Does than mean you can still have the scone even if you choose to have the Ploughman's?

Sounds like the best solution if they have enough scones for everyone in CE.
I'll take the Ploughman's over the sandwiches but its a choice of one festival of carbs over another. If you eat the entire ploughman's meal that's three bread items plus a breaded item. Plus a bit of protein. One of the options should not be as carb heavy.
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Old Sep 13, 2018, 10:53 am
  #90  
 
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Band 1 afternoon tea - LHR-BRU BA 398 13/9/18

Was pleasantly surprised this afternoon! Had forgotten about the new catering and it was delicious. Scone was fresh, battenberg was yum and I’m a fussy baker and the sandwiches were really rather nice with proper emmenthal. Thumbs up, I say! Quite like the new mug although there isn’t quite space for everything on the tray.

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