Cathay Dragon catering
 

Question on CX vs. KA catering.

Was recently on the HKG - DPS route, where a good number of the flights on offer are KA. Had CX there, and KA on return (all the CX options were booked). Since CX only does regional business class on this route, the only real differentiator between CX & KA is catering.

This was only my 2nd KA flight ever (I've switched all my long-haul flights to QR, and no longer care about status so don't fly CX all that often anymore even though I'm based in HK), and I was surprised by the difference in catering. None of it was all that important on its own, but given that CX catering is already pretty rubbish, and they charge the same price for CX vs. KA flights, I was wondering if this is normal?

Specific examples:
- No cheese course (this was my biggest gripe, as the cheese is typically the only course that is guaranteed to be somewhat palatable)
- Instead of full size wine glasses, used the smaller glasses typically used only for champagne before take off
- Butter served in plastic, to-go containers vs. the ceramic little bowl
- Lower quality bread, salad, and apps

Sorry - which is better, CX or KA? I can't work it out from your post.

Hard to say from the post.
But my own J experience is that KA catering is now as bad as CX; and given how bad CX food/wine quality is ....

Quality is one issue, range of offerings is another. IIRC, KA J never had the 'cheese and fruit' course that we are all so familiar with on CX - always ice cream and just ice cream

It's actually one reason I try to avoid KA whenever I can, although on the PEK route, KA does a 'full' meal service (appetizer on tray, collection, entree, collection, dessert) while CX only does a 'one-tray' service (similar to BKK/SGN etc - appetizer is preset in the bowl on top left corner and entree follows shortly, no cheese and fruit and just ice cream as well)

I like the soft product on KA on the PEK-HKG route more than CX but yes the food is the same these days. And Taittinger is a nice touch.

Can't they come up with better options than ice-cream?