New Business class service - from July 2018 - Experiences and Discussion
#151
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Looks like the new services are just same menu with cutting certain items from pre-landing breakfast. While I don't mind cutting yogurt etc since I never take them on the pre-landing meals, I feel the major let down is that there is basically no improvement from current JCL. Not a fan of the menu design neither.
#152
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: MPC-DM, Enrich-Plat
Posts: 1,310
How come, you get this experience, whereas I (and many others) do seem to have different experiences ?
Having less staff for the same number of passengers, immediately does have effects on the amount of "service", which can be provided. No need to blame this on an individual staff member.
Having less staff for the same number of passengers, immediately does have effects on the amount of "service", which can be provided. No need to blame this on an individual staff member.
#153
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: MPC-DM, Enrich-Plat
Posts: 1,310
The narrator, a 16 (?) years old teenager complains about the missing breakfast items and economy alike other items. Though, I would rate the current breakfast more to the level of the opposite of "more is better". With the restrictions, the master can be seen. It is low class to eat everything, just because you get it presented. It shows style, when you get a limited set in a not-overloaded presentation and can ask for additional (or other) items according your wishes.
I certainly would "suggest" CX to have cereals with yogurts available as a snack, some people are interested in these items, either as a mid-flight meal, or as a simple breakfast.
Menu options seem to be extended, the hamburger as a main option is very nice. Despite the menu newspaper style, I think, it's a nice item. Again different, different style, people need to get used of it, but a good alternative for the previous booklet style menu.
Complaints about all items placed on a tray can not to be solved, without a significant J class refurbishment, it simply requires a bigger table. Better have the tray, so items don't fall down, etc. So, the food department simply has to work with these limitations.
The same applies to the staff, just a limit, the food department has to live with (at least for the upcoming years).
#157
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
Finally had my own go on 806 with the new service. It's not as bad as previously suggested or thought! I found the food quality to be improved - although it's not trying to be fancy (or fancy-sounding) by any means. Still the taste is not bad at all. The new burger is a bit weird (if it ain't broke don't fix it!) and so is the brunch with dessert replacing the yogurts and cereals and lack of bakery items, but all in all not bad.
The pressing issue is manpower. On this flight the first meal wrapped up just short of three hours (apparently the 'benchmark' that CX ISD expects), largely smooth ~1.5 hours for the 2nd meal, but this was just because 9 crew in total helped out. Almost all 50 pax ate in both instances. It was lucky that we had a half load F class, a non-demanding cockpit, as well as midflight meal in Y so crew from both cabins could help. If all three of the above weren't the case then I don't know what it might be like.
And having done the trial last year I do miss the fancier items and wines, hopefully as the ISM said 'there will be some more fine tuning and improvements' we might see some more later. But knowing this is CX, can't keep my hopes too high up...
#158
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: MNL
Programs: CX MPO DM, Le Club Accor Platinum, World of Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 2,284
The pressing issue is manpower. On this flight the first meal wrapped up just short of three hours (apparently the 'benchmark' that CX ISD expects), largely smooth ~1.5 hours for the 2nd meal, but this was just because 9 crew in total helped out. Almost all 50 pax ate in both instances. It was lucky that we had a half load F class, a non-demanding cockpit, as well as midflight meal in Y so crew from both cabins could help. If all three of the above weren't the case then I don't know what it might be like.
#160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
For the breakfast, usually they will start breakfast 2 hours before landing - was that still the case here?
#161
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
Finally had my own go on 806 with the new service. It's not as bad as previously suggested or thought! I found the food quality to be improved - although it's not trying to be fancy (or fancy-sounding) by any means. Still the taste is not bad at all. The new burger is a bit weird (if it ain't broke don't fix it!) and so is the brunch with dessert replacing the yogurts and cereals and lack of bakery items, but all in all not bad.
The pressing issue is manpower. On this flight the first meal wrapped up just short of three hours (apparently the 'benchmark' that CX ISD expects), largely smooth ~1.5 hours for the 2nd meal, but this was just because 9 crew in total helped out. Almost all 50 pax ate in both instances. It was lucky that we had a half load F class, a non-demanding cockpit, as well as midflight meal in Y so crew from both cabins could help. If all three of the above weren't the case then I don't know what it might be like.
And having done the trial last year I do miss the fancier items and wines, hopefully as the ISM said 'there will be some more fine tuning and improvements' we might see some more later. But knowing this is CX, can't keep my hopes too high up...
The pressing issue is manpower. On this flight the first meal wrapped up just short of three hours (apparently the 'benchmark' that CX ISD expects), largely smooth ~1.5 hours for the 2nd meal, but this was just because 9 crew in total helped out. Almost all 50 pax ate in both instances. It was lucky that we had a half load F class, a non-demanding cockpit, as well as midflight meal in Y so crew from both cabins could help. If all three of the above weren't the case then I don't know what it might be like.
And having done the trial last year I do miss the fancier items and wines, hopefully as the ISM said 'there will be some more fine tuning and improvements' we might see some more later. But knowing this is CX, can't keep my hopes too high up...
But this one looks fantastic...
#162
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
Breakfast started at 2 hours sharp with me getting the first tray. But the SP came back and told me in the end that 26K didn't get their breakfast until almost an hour later. Forget about custom drinks/juices orders.
It was very good and runny, credit to the galley purser. To be honest, the food quality is actually a huge step up from the old service (except the Indian entree (sambal/curry etc) that appears on long hauls ex-HKG that I've grown to love)!
#163
#164
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: CX-Gold ; LH Miles & More
Posts: 41
new service from and to Frankfurt (CX288 and CX289) October 2018
Just had the flights from and to Frankfurt with the new service.
Overall it is a slight improvement but a challenge for the crew.
Now the menu, bottle of water and amenity kit are already placed next to the seat.
Right after the boarding (before take off) you already have to order the drink (served together with the warm nuts) and the whole first menu (choose in between 3 starters, 6 main courses and then the finishes (cheese / fruits / ice cream / dessert). They also offer a “express lunch” – 3 courses served together but you can not mix with other starters or main dished from the “regular menu”.
So there is not much time to study the menu and to choose the meals.
I do not know how CX handle "overbooked" items. Most likely they do not load each possible dish for everyone. The crew records each order written on a paper. After they got all orders they most liekely check back in the galley if they are able to all fulfill orders or if they have to go back to passengers and have to ask for a change.
After take off it took 40 minutes until they served the drink together with the warm nuts. I was in row 11 so I was the first one … maybe the last row got the drink 60 minutes after take off. Another 40 minutes later they served the starter …. again another 50 minutes later the main course with an apologize that it took so long … considering these times I was happy that I did not order some finish. So the whole lunch took longer than in the past and they are not flexible anymore.
Presentation of the food looks better than in the past. Taste was o.k. but my “warm” barley was cold.
Breakfast also has to be ordered in advance.
Choose in between Chinese breakfast, Western breakfast, Continental breakfast (starting around 2 hours before landing) or “express breakfast” (warm pastry selection) they bring 1 hour before landing).
Positiv:
taste was slightly better, presentation was also slightly better, some more choices for starters and mains (but yes, for the mains CX just shifted the already in the past available snacks (burger and soup) into the mains)
Negativ:
all takes longer, at least my main course was cold, no salad and no garlic bread (or other bread alternatives) and no dessert option (only one now) anymore.
I recommend that CX serve the first drink with the nuts in the old style with the trolley instead of bringing each drink and nuts individual. So the order process is at least a little bit easier and the crew would also have some more time for preparing and serving starters / mains.
And here are some pictures:
CX288 FRA to HKG
first drink with warm nuts after take off
starter (smoked salmon tartare)
starter (smoked salmon tartare) - taste was good
main course (warm barley with pumpkin, etc.) - mine was not warm but cold
express breakfast (warm pastry selection) - was o.k.
CX289 HKG to FRA
express supper (with mushroom soup and black forest trifle) - taste was good
Western breakfast with poached eggs
Western breakfast with poached eggs (they were perfect)
Overall it is a slight improvement but a challenge for the crew.
Now the menu, bottle of water and amenity kit are already placed next to the seat.
Right after the boarding (before take off) you already have to order the drink (served together with the warm nuts) and the whole first menu (choose in between 3 starters, 6 main courses and then the finishes (cheese / fruits / ice cream / dessert). They also offer a “express lunch” – 3 courses served together but you can not mix with other starters or main dished from the “regular menu”.
So there is not much time to study the menu and to choose the meals.
I do not know how CX handle "overbooked" items. Most likely they do not load each possible dish for everyone. The crew records each order written on a paper. After they got all orders they most liekely check back in the galley if they are able to all fulfill orders or if they have to go back to passengers and have to ask for a change.
After take off it took 40 minutes until they served the drink together with the warm nuts. I was in row 11 so I was the first one … maybe the last row got the drink 60 minutes after take off. Another 40 minutes later they served the starter …. again another 50 minutes later the main course with an apologize that it took so long … considering these times I was happy that I did not order some finish. So the whole lunch took longer than in the past and they are not flexible anymore.
Presentation of the food looks better than in the past. Taste was o.k. but my “warm” barley was cold.
Breakfast also has to be ordered in advance.
Choose in between Chinese breakfast, Western breakfast, Continental breakfast (starting around 2 hours before landing) or “express breakfast” (warm pastry selection) they bring 1 hour before landing).
Positiv:
taste was slightly better, presentation was also slightly better, some more choices for starters and mains (but yes, for the mains CX just shifted the already in the past available snacks (burger and soup) into the mains)
Negativ:
all takes longer, at least my main course was cold, no salad and no garlic bread (or other bread alternatives) and no dessert option (only one now) anymore.
I recommend that CX serve the first drink with the nuts in the old style with the trolley instead of bringing each drink and nuts individual. So the order process is at least a little bit easier and the crew would also have some more time for preparing and serving starters / mains.
And here are some pictures:
CX288 FRA to HKG
first drink with warm nuts after take off
starter (smoked salmon tartare)
starter (smoked salmon tartare) - taste was good
main course (warm barley with pumpkin, etc.) - mine was not warm but cold
express breakfast (warm pastry selection) - was o.k.
CX289 HKG to FRA
express supper (with mushroom soup and black forest trifle) - taste was good
Western breakfast with poached eggs
Western breakfast with poached eggs (they were perfect)
Last edited by Christian2011; Oct 21, 2018 at 12:59 am Reason: wording
#165
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: JFK 🇺🇸 (mostly); YVR 🇨🇦 (a bit less); HKG 🇭🇰 (even less)
Programs: Marco Polo GR 😂😂; HHonors Gold; Ritz Carlton Gold
Posts: 494