Cathay Dragon catering
Apr 12, 2018 | 11:11 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 111
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
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
Apr 13, 2018 | 8:37 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold/OW emerald, QR
Posts: 17,082
Apr 13, 2018 | 2:07 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 3,087
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)
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)
Apr 13, 2018 | 10:47 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Bangkok/Singapore
Programs: Frantic Hilton/Marriott runs
Posts: 1,090
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?
Can't they come up with better options than ice-cream?