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Club Europe catering | menus, reviews and photos

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Please do not quote photos in this thread.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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Club Europe catering | menus, reviews and photos

Old Sep 24, 2018, 1:23 am
  #211  
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Originally Posted by PUCCI GALORE
Nevertheless, I do find it strange that they have seeming homogenised Bands 3 and 4. By definition they could do the pre September change service as there is sufficient time even with a large Club load. Strange.
From what I can see, though we entered this thread on the basis of 5 bands, in simplistic terms we have actually ended up with just two, Long and Short, with MAD, FCO, BUD, ARN being just over that border for hot food all day long. Within that LBA and MAN have a restricted breakfast but probably only FTers would notice. The actual difference is that the range of items potentially served is greater(and subjectively better quality) plus at least the vegetarian SPML also has more variety.

Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Sep 24, 2018 at 1:52 am
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Old Sep 24, 2018, 1:49 am
  #212  
 
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Substantial improvement in catering this weekend - both presentation and quality of food. Crew I spoke to said feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and no-one is missing the panini on the shorter flights.

I did EDI-LHR with afternoon tea and LHR-LIS with sausage and mash on Friday, I only picked at the later as has eaten in the CX lounge. The return last night was a remoulade starter followed by a very good Thai Red Curry, chocolate mouse and cheese with Peters Yard crackers. Not such a big improvement in this mornings cooked breakfast on the way back up to EDI. Its a while since I have had breakfast on my flight but I think the small fruit salad may be new and the croissant was good.

The LIS sectors had the Do&Co logo chocolate on the dessert. Wines were probably around the same quality as before in my view.

Overall, a big well done to BA on this and long may it continue.
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Old Sep 24, 2018, 4:34 am
  #213  
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Originally Posted by Tobias-UK


With the exception of breakfast, the Express service appears exactly the same as Band 1. Im still trying to work out what choices there are - Ive had a choice of 3 dishes on lunch service, but only 2 on dinner service. There is a choice at brunch and afternoon tea - Ive not done a breakfast flight yet.
3 choices is actually one more than on bands 1 and 2, and again, there are also multiple divergent reports above on the details. E.g. consistently with the "leaked" descriptions, most band 1/2 lunch dinners have a choice between a veg and a protein salad but some got two meat ones instead, some people have reported being offered the ploughman for brunch whilst it is supposed to be for Afternoon tea according to the descriptions leaked, etc.

Now there are two possibilities. Either the descriptions are inaccurate and offerings a lot more fluid than planned or - more likely in my view - many crews and even caterers are still confused about the new service and this is about not being clear what should be served for what meal as multiple rotations are loaded at the same time (obviously, notes are provided but if caterers are confused that won't help!)
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Old Sep 24, 2018, 5:04 am
  #214  
 
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Originally Posted by orbitmic
3 choices is actually one more than on bands 1 and 2, and again, there are also multiple divergent reports above on the details. E.g. consistently with the "leaked" descriptions, most band 1/2 lunch dinners have a choice between a veg and a protein salad but some got two meat ones instead, some people have reported being offered the ploughman for brunch whilst it is supposed to be for Afternoon tea according to the descriptions leaked, etc.

Now there are two possibilities. Either the descriptions are inaccurate and offerings a lot more fluid than planned or - more likely in my view - many crews and even caterers are still confused about the new service and this is about not being clear what should be served for what meal as multiple rotations are loaded at the same time (obviously, notes are provided but if caterers are confused that won't help!)
I can only speak for the flights I have been on, but I can confirm there have been some instances where at least some of the meals/trays loaded have corresponded to the wrong sector (outbound vs inbound); in addition to this, last minute meals loaded (for last minute increases in CE loads) may not match the rest of the meals already loaded for that flight. This means some customers may be offered 3 choices rather than two...
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Old Sep 24, 2018, 5:22 am
  #215  
 
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After flying CE monthly since March ex-LGW im now on a break until November ( BA flight wise) & VERY glad to see from more than one person that LGW did actually get the new catering in a timely fashion this time around ( is it possible somebody at BA actually listened to FF's complaints of never seeing the previous incarnation, surely not?!).

Appreciating this isn't the discussion thread i'll simply add my sincere thanks to those who've taken part providing some great images and details, to @Prospero who spent the time creating the thread and the wiki & honest thanks to whomever at BA decided us LGW's actually deserved to see the new food this time around. I look forward to sampling my Band 4 LGW-RAK early November.
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Old Sep 24, 2018, 6:48 am
  #216  
 
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BA777 ARN-LHR - 11:40







Rest of day menu from Stockholm: nothing new in terms of menu options or images (although I may win a prize for the blurriest menu photo to date!).

I'm really posting this as a data point as I actually had a VLML meal on order but was given the vegetarian dish from the main menu on a tray containing the normal coleslaw starter, chocolate dessert and cheese bowl. The SCCM (who otherwise seemed very experienced) left the plastic lids on all three little bowls when he handed me the tray, and interestingly these all had "VLML" stickers on them. So I don't know if this was just a fluke or if it could mean that VLMLs will be served from the standard menu where possible moving forward...

I'd be quite happy if that were the case!
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Old Sep 24, 2018, 1:46 pm
  #217  
 
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It was a SPML,although the trolley was identical.
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Old Sep 24, 2018, 2:08 pm
  #218  
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Originally Posted by JustTheOne
BA777 ARN-LHR - 11:40
I'm really posting this as a data point as I actually had a VLML meal on order but was given the vegetarian dish from the main menu on a tray containing the normal coleslaw starter, chocolate dessert and cheese bowl. The SCCM (who otherwise seemed very experienced) left the plastic lids on all three little bowls when he handed me the tray, and interestingly these all had "VLML" stickers on them. So I don't know if this was just a fluke or if it could mean that VLMLs will be served from the standard menu where possible moving forward...
The dark blue labels on the lid indeed indicate it is SPML to prevent the crew handing out the tray to someone in error. In this situation it worked out fine since the starter was vegetarian anyway, but if you pad through the other salad options, the starter could have been (e.g.) the prawn salad or the salmon bowl - so SPML would have got you the celeriac instead. On other SPMLs you may get more items than the non SPML version (e.g.. tofu on the courgette lentil salad).
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Old Sep 24, 2018, 3:17 pm
  #219  
 
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Any comments re low lactose meals in the new menu era?
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Old Sep 24, 2018, 4:58 pm
  #220  
 
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So if the LHR menus are on a 2 week rotation we should be about to see a new range of menus on all routes? Or perhaps only some of the dishes will change. I wonder how many menu rotations there will be? It used to be 3 per direction.
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Old Sep 25, 2018, 3:43 am
  #221  
 
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Did a Madrid return from home base in Newcastle over the weekend, Ill not post the pictures as theyre all in the thread somewhere and by now we know what stuff looks like,

NCL-LHR, 1025 departure so choice of Continental breakfast or Veggie Quiche for brunch, I had the continental which was ok, but brunch is probably my least favourite meal band. What I would really like to see here is a bacon sandwich for the main, like the express band. I think that would go down well especially on the domestic routes.

LHR-MAD, 1320 departure on the 777. Usual band 3 rest of day and opted for the sausage and mash which was delicious, nice hearty meal and the starter salad was very nice too. Passion Fruit desert was also very very nice. Only complaint is an observation I have in general with mixed fleet crew and I had to pester them for a drink after the initial bar run meaning my glass remained empty during and well after the meal.

MAD-LHR, 1055 on the 767. Packed out front cabin on the 767. Excellent CSD, young guy but very much old school BA and the only one who removed the plastic covers and stood the glasses upright before serving. Being only 11am in the UK I didnt fancy the curry or pasta option and went with the coronation chicken which they had ran out of in the first couple of rows annoyingly. Had the pasta instead which was also nice if not the sauce being too runny. Other parts were ok too but not as nice as the LHR-MAD. Eurofleet crew though so drinks more free flowing.

And finally LHR-NCL, 1425 wheels up out of London so afternoon tea. To be honest I wish I went for the ploughmans seeing as you seem to be able to get scones with that too? Someone please correct me if Im wrong. In all honesty I was quite full from the previous flight so just picked eating the cake and of course the scone.
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Old Sep 25, 2018, 3:46 am
  #222  
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Originally Posted by Speedbird92A
What I would really like to see here is a bacon sandwich for the main, like the express band. I think that would go down well especially on the domestic routes.
Bad news is that express has lost the bacon sandwich now. We have a rather less satisfactory cheese & ham croissant https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30231151-post176.html
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Old Sep 25, 2018, 5:52 am
  #223  
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Band 4 breakfast - vegetarian (but not perordered SPML)
LHR-TLL BA876 departing 08:15hrs

I don't think we have had many Band 4 breakfasts yet, though being Band 4 doesn't add anything particular. So the menu card would have been the same as this post 159 (but the SCCM couldn't find the menu cards....) with the options as Traditional English, omelette and Loch Fyne smoked salmon (photo in link). Below is my photo of the "handmade free-range omelette with spinach and ricotta", which is slightly different from the other omelette option with asparagus. I didn't pre-order this as the vegetarian SPML.

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Old Sep 25, 2018, 5:57 am
  #224  
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Originally Posted by Speedbird92A
To be honest I wish I went for the ploughmans seeing as you seem to be able to get scones with that too? Someone please correct me if Im wrong.
Photos are upthread, but yes, Ploughman's also gets jam and cream on the tray, and access to the scones and tea bread. A lot of food for a domestic.
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Old Sep 25, 2018, 9:05 am
  #225  
 
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PrivatAir GLA-LGW 24 SEP Dinner
Starter was smoked salmon, dill and mustard potatoes.
Main course was herbed chickem with, er, mustard potatoes.
Pudding was a mixed berry tart, er, thing.

Very tasty but a few too many spuds!

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