A chilly experience: frozen solid Haagen Dazs!
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
The solution to the ice cream " problem" is easily rectified by CX FAs just delaying your service by a few minutes and letting it thaw when it's pulled from the freezer. For whatever reason, those freezers are just too cold for a good ice cream consistency. It needs to warn up slightly. Or, instructing passengers to let it sit for 5 mins before opening. But my bet is its best to just delay the service so pax dont ever see the hard ice cream. Problem solved.
If a business class passenger can't deal with a solid ice-cream, how to they deal with business negotiations?
#47
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 7_0_2 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/537.51.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.0 Mobile/11A501 Safari/9537.53)
The solution to the ice cream " problem" is easily rectified by CX FAs just delaying your service by a few minutes and letting it thaw when it's pulled from the freezer. For whatever reason, those freezers are just too cold for a good ice cream consistency. It needs to warn up slightly. Or, instructing passengers to let it sit for 5 mins before opening. But my bet is its best to just delay the service so pax dont ever see the hard ice cream. Problem solved.
Yes - but there's an issue with galley space... where are the crew supposed to lay out 50 tubs of ice-cream to sufficiently thaw? 50 rock-solid frozen tubs in close proximity to each other (even on the bench top) probably isn't conducive to thawing.
If a business class passenger can't deal with a solid ice-cream, how to they deal with business negotiations?
Ure indeed correct as a sensibility point of view, but i see it as better service if food is served the way its intended to be eaten.
Serve icecream when its kinda soft...
Originally Posted by LHR/MEL/Europe FF
The solution to the ice cream " problem" is easily rectified by CX FAs just delaying your service by a few minutes and letting it thaw when it's pulled from the freezer. For whatever reason, those freezers are just too cold for a good ice cream consistency. It needs to warn up slightly. Or, instructing passengers to let it sit for 5 mins before opening. But my bet is its best to just delay the service so pax dont ever see the hard ice cream. Problem solved.
If a business class passenger can't deal with a solid ice-cream, how to they deal with business negotiations?
Serve icecream when its kinda soft...
#48
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 284
I flew HKG-FCO and HKG-NGO in J few weeks ago and didn't really appreciate their J food neither. To me, it was like Y food in a better presentation and larger portion. They were running a French wine promotion but none of the ones I requested was available due to rotation, as they claimed. Breakfast and coffee, though seemed not bad for me.
As for the ice-cream, I noticed that on some flights, the crew will let them thaw before serving. They also had the sense to wipe off the frost on the container before passing them out. So I guess it depends on the crew's routine. But even if they serve them rock hard, you can solve the problem by letting it sit for a couple of minutes. There's no need to make a big fuss out of it.
As for the ice-cream, I noticed that on some flights, the crew will let them thaw before serving. They also had the sense to wipe off the frost on the container before passing them out. So I guess it depends on the crew's routine. But even if they serve them rock hard, you can solve the problem by letting it sit for a couple of minutes. There's no need to make a big fuss out of it.
#49
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: CX Green | UA Silver | Marriott Lifetime Platinum | Hyatt Globalist | Hilton Gold | AA EXP
Posts: 813
Since we're focusing on ice cream, I wonder ...
... do you think CX will do it if I call the DM line ahead of time - say a week or so before my flight - and tell them that I would like - say rum raisin - instead of the usual vanilla or strawberry cheesecake they have onboard? Kinda like book-the-ice cream (instead of book-the-cook).
On QR or AA this is problematic/unreasonable since they serve ice cream 'properly' but CX serves häagen-dazs paper cups so surely it shouldn't be too difficult for CX to do it?
... do you think CX will do it if I call the DM line ahead of time - say a week or so before my flight - and tell them that I would like - say rum raisin - instead of the usual vanilla or strawberry cheesecake they have onboard? Kinda like book-the-ice cream (instead of book-the-cook).
On QR or AA this is problematic/unreasonable since they serve ice cream 'properly' but CX serves häagen-dazs paper cups so surely it shouldn't be too difficult for CX to do it?
#50
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: CXAM BAEC
Posts: 242
Yes - but there's an issue with galley space... where are the crew supposed to lay out 50 tubs of ice-cream to sufficiently thaw? 50 rock-solid frozen tubs in close proximity to each other (even on the bench top) probably isn't conducive to thawing.
If a business class passenger can't deal with a solid ice-cream, how to they deal with business negotiations?
If a business class passenger can't deal with a solid ice-cream, how to they deal with business negotiations?
#51
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Beijing, Paris, Edinburgh
Programs: Marco Polo Diamond, Flying Blue Platinum for Life, GHA Black, IHG Platinum
Posts: 450
On one recent flight, probably early July, KA were offering a very nice Hong Kong milk tea flavoured Haagen Dasz icecream, which I have only come across on that one flight. Pity, as it was really good.
#52
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Yes - but there's an issue with galley space... where are the crew supposed to lay out 50 tubs of ice-cream to sufficiently thaw? 50 rock-solid frozen tubs in close proximity to each other (even on the bench top) probably isn't conducive to thawing.
If a business class passenger can't deal with a solid ice-cream, how to they deal with business negotiations?
If a business class passenger can't deal with a solid ice-cream, how to they deal with business negotiations?
His behavior, however, was utterly baffling. Totally normal looking frequent flier...absolutely loses it over ice cream for a brief minute or two. Like I said, not the craziest thing I've seen (on-board brawl on KA years ago takes the cake, and an unfortunate medical emergency another time), but him smashing at, and splintering his ice cream around his seat and then demanding it be microwaved - despite the FA insisting that can't happen due to the risk of fire - was the most inexplicable. Absolute contrast to both how he was dressed and his status (OW Emerald). FA handled it very, very well. Sometimes people really lose sense of "normal" behavior when they get into an airplane. It is strange but definitely a phenomenon, like road rage. Normal people can go whack.
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
Ha, to be fair the passenger requested it during snack time mid-flight, so it would've been easy for the FA to defrost it first. I agree during the meal service it's impossible.
His behavior, however, was utterly baffling. Totally normal looking frequent flier...absolutely loses it over ice cream for a brief minute or two. Like I said, not the craziest thing I've seen (on-board brawl on KA years ago takes the cake, and an unfortunate medical emergency another time), but him smashing at, and splintering his ice cream around his seat and then demanding it be microwaved - despite the FA insisting that can't happen due to the risk of fire - was the most inexplicable. Absolute contrast to both how he was dressed and his status (OW Emerald). FA handled it very, very well. Sometimes people really lose sense of "normal" behavior when they get into an airplane. It is strange but definitely a phenomenon, like road rage. Normal people can go whack.
His behavior, however, was utterly baffling. Totally normal looking frequent flier...absolutely loses it over ice cream for a brief minute or two. Like I said, not the craziest thing I've seen (on-board brawl on KA years ago takes the cake, and an unfortunate medical emergency another time), but him smashing at, and splintering his ice cream around his seat and then demanding it be microwaved - despite the FA insisting that can't happen due to the risk of fire - was the most inexplicable. Absolute contrast to both how he was dressed and his status (OW Emerald). FA handled it very, very well. Sometimes people really lose sense of "normal" behavior when they get into an airplane. It is strange but definitely a phenomenon, like road rage. Normal people can go whack.
If the FA took a few minutes to defrost it first, I bet you the passenger would have complained it took so long to bring them the ice cream.
#54
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: HKG
Programs: CX Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 418
As for the ice-cream, I noticed that on some flights, the crew will let them thaw before serving. They also had the sense to wipe off the frost on the container before passing them out. So I guess it depends on the crew's routine. But even if they serve them rock hard, you can solve the problem by letting it sit for a couple of minutes. There's no need to make a big fuss out of it.
Same for the vegetable in the J noodle snack. Sometimes it is yellow and obviously overcooked when served and sometimes it's still green and crunchy...
#55
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: OW Emerald
Posts: 247
Those of you whinging about "too chilly" ice cream need to get a grip. This is the absolute definition of a non problem. Wait ten minutes. Watch a movie. Have a drink. Then eat your ice cream. Be thankful for the small mercies - it's not like you're flying United is it?!
#56
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
Those of you whinging about "too chilly" ice cream need to get a grip. This is the absolute definition of a non problem. Wait ten minutes. Watch a movie. Have a drink. Then eat your ice cream. Be thankful for the small mercies - it's not like you're flying United is it?!
#57
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K 2MM / Marriott LTP
Posts: 5,071
This is really one of those firstworldproblem issues. I just took CX earlier this week and the Haagen Dazs is one of the snack items. Yes the ice cream was hard, but if anyone has ever looked at the packaging, I believe it says on the plastic cover under the lid that it should be thawed for 5-10 minutes before consuming.
From the Haagen Dazs website.
http://www.haagendazs.us/Learn/FAQ/
SQ serves the same exact Haagen Dazs ice cream in the Silver Kris Lounge in HKG and it is rock hard out of the freezer.
If the hardness of the ice cream is an issue, try getting ice cream on a United transpac in Business First / Global First about 7 hours after the flight has departed.
From the Haagen Dazs website.
http://www.haagendazs.us/Learn/FAQ/
how should I serve my Häagen-Dazs products?
To deliver the best flavor and texture, allow your Häagen-Dazs products to soften at room temperature for approximately 10 minutes, depending on the actual room temperature and the temperature of your freezer.
To deliver the best flavor and texture, allow your Häagen-Dazs products to soften at room temperature for approximately 10 minutes, depending on the actual room temperature and the temperature of your freezer.
If the hardness of the ice cream is an issue, try getting ice cream on a United transpac in Business First / Global First about 7 hours after the flight has departed.
#58
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: HKG
Programs: CX Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 418
Most issues in F/J classes are non-problems / first-world-problems are they?
Attention to detail is key in premium service. In the past, we expected premium class dining to be more comparable to high-end restaurant dining experience. Perhaps some of us have happily accepted the fast food / assembly line dining concept in CX J nowadays.
Then I suggest CX to skip warming nuts in J - they would still be edible.
Attention to detail is key in premium service. In the past, we expected premium class dining to be more comparable to high-end restaurant dining experience. Perhaps some of us have happily accepted the fast food / assembly line dining concept in CX J nowadays.
Then I suggest CX to skip warming nuts in J - they would still be edible.
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
Most issues in F/J classes are non-problems / first-world-problems are they?
Attention to detail is key in premium service. In the past, we expected premium class dining to be more comparable to high-end restaurant dining experience. Perhaps some of us have happily accepted the fast food / assembly line dining concept in CX J nowadays.
Then I suggest CX to skip warming nuts in J - they would still be edible.
Attention to detail is key in premium service. In the past, we expected premium class dining to be more comparable to high-end restaurant dining experience. Perhaps some of us have happily accepted the fast food / assembly line dining concept in CX J nowadays.
Then I suggest CX to skip warming nuts in J - they would still be edible.
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
Most issues in F/J classes are non-problems / first-world-problems are they?
Attention to detail is key in premium service. In the past, we expected premium class dining to be more comparable to high-end restaurant dining experience. Perhaps some of us have happily accepted the fast food / assembly line dining concept in CX J nowadays.
Then I suggest CX to skip warming nuts in J - they would still be edible.
Attention to detail is key in premium service. In the past, we expected premium class dining to be more comparable to high-end restaurant dining experience. Perhaps some of us have happily accepted the fast food / assembly line dining concept in CX J nowadays.
Then I suggest CX to skip warming nuts in J - they would still be edible.
The passenger can however, infinitely tailor the softness (or otherwise) of the ice-cream to their exact liking. Some would see that as a service failure, others would see that as giving the passenger a choice.