This month's Skywards newsletter linked to the new section on onboard meals on the EK website. The caption under one of the pictures is about on demand dining in Business Class.

Has anyone experienced this since the new meal service started? Is it actually offered, or a mistake on the website? I know this was offered for First Class previously, but didn't know J pax were given this flexibility.

Sure, I've been able to ask for dessert and cheese on demand an hour or two after my main meal, and the crew were happy to do this for me (and even went to the extent of setting up the table the second time). Think it could get pretty confusing on a 380 though.

Can you clarify where you're seeing this?

On the page linked to on the email I can only see "on demand" referred to under First. Even if I follow the link to "Learn more about Business Class dining" I still don't see any reference to "on demand".

On the page you're taken to by the newsletter link, click on the Business Class dining picture for more pictures. The one with the Asian lady drinking a glass of champagne (3 of 4) has the caption: "In Business Class you have the freedom to order meals anytime."

Ah, yes - found it. I hadn't looked at the pictures.

I last flew in J on 3rd/4th September and certainly wasn't aware of it. They took individual orders but never mentioned I could order/eat when I wanted. It was a night flight so maybe they want everyone fed and sleeping quickly.

EK does have dine anytime in J. Depending on how busy the crew are you can expect your meal at anytime during the flight.

I've just flown MAN to DXB on the 380 in J and in the lounge at the moment. It was a day time flight and less than half full. I was served by a very pleasant lady/hostess - just what is the correct term these days ?? There was no mention of the meal on demand. Maybe they prefer to just get things out of the way at the same time unless a passenger mentions this option.

^^^

^

Anytime dining is not offered for main meals in Business Class except for ULR flights whereby items from the 'lite bites' menu can be ordered at leisure.

If you can get them to come to your seat. I spent 30 minutes, repeatedly pushing the FA button waiting for someone to come to my seat before the first drink/appetizer service (about 1 hour into the flight, after the seat belt sign had been turned off), but no one came. I was near the front of the Business cabin and could see them setting up the carts etc., but they just didn't show up. This was on a recent SFO-DXB flight.

EK is going downhill. Even LH FA's respond better than this (in this respect).

Ah yes, but they're Germanic. They're programmed to do so.

If you want efficiency, fly LH...

Very well said^

Was on a flight to LHR in J yesterday afternoon. I had lunch in the lounge so asked them onboard to delay the meal service for 4 hours or so and not with everyone else. The FA was nice but said they can't do that as they have to heat all the food at once and mine will be cold later on.

I wasn't fussed and decided to then skip the meal. She came back 30 mins later and asked me what time I would like to eat so they can keep my choice aside to heat later. So I suppose anytime dining in J is based on the FA and how much u push.

On a side note, the service onboard was fantastic throughout.

Hi Mate,

This is strange

I think we should ask the mod (Mr 8B) to send an email to his contacts in EK & get a proper Airline Policy answer on this matter.

The meal service either should be on demand or it should not be on demand in J. It can not be upto the FA's to decide on this. I think this is not fair so the premium pax's have a right to know what exactly is the EK policy on this service.

I hope you agree with this on me??? Hows the English weather??

Paging the MOD pls??

Safe Flying

EGT

I think it's more a not-on-demand unless a pax specifically requests it policy. The rationale being that it is difficult enough for them to do a regular meal service on a 380 - so imagine the chaos serving 76 passengers individually. But if the odd pax requests to eat later, it may be up to discretion of the crew to try and fulfill this request.

For example, flying F, asked to be served the meal as late as possible. They were so good about it, at one point I thought they'd forgotten, but they literally served it so I could eat comfortably and when I was done it was time to buckle up.

Another example that I posted upthread, in J, asked to be served the dessert and cheese later, and crew were happy to do this on request. They can't do it for 42 pax, but it's not difficult if done for 3-4 pax.