In-flight Catering Drastically Pared Back
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
In-flight Catering Drastically Pared Back
Starting this Wednesday, KL pax on longhauls will be served only a single simplified hot meal and one snack. The only beverages served will be water and sodas. This is regardless of class of travel, all pax will get exactly the same meagre meals. KL is even encouraging pax to bring their own food.
The reason for this is ostensibly to minimize contact between pax and crew, but I strongly suspect that saving quite a bit of money is at least as strong an incentive for making this change.
I assume that J pax on shorthaul will get whatever those in coach will be served. That may be nothing, for all I know.
Johan
The reason for this is ostensibly to minimize contact between pax and crew, but I strongly suspect that saving quite a bit of money is at least as strong an incentive for making this change.
I assume that J pax on shorthaul will get whatever those in coach will be served. That may be nothing, for all I know.
Johan
Last edited by johan rebel; Mar 23, 20 at 10:54 am Reason: An "i" too many.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
For sure.
KL will continue to serve the following destinations (number of weekly flights in parenthesis):
Atlanta (3), New York JFK (7), Los Angeles (3), Chicago (2), Calgary (3), Toronto (3).
Curaao (2), Mexico City (3), Panama (2), Lima (3), Sao Paulo (2).
Abu Dhabi/Muscat (2), Dubai (3)
Nairobi (2), Johannesburg (3).
Bangkok (2), Delhi (2), Hongkong (3), Seoel (3), Osaka (2), Tokio (2), Beijing (3), Shanghai (3), Singapore (3), Taipei (3).
Some of these, e.g. DEL, TPE, DXB, LIM and NBO, will be freight only.
Johan
KL will continue to serve the following destinations (number of weekly flights in parenthesis):
Atlanta (3), New York JFK (7), Los Angeles (3), Chicago (2), Calgary (3), Toronto (3).
Curaao (2), Mexico City (3), Panama (2), Lima (3), Sao Paulo (2).
Abu Dhabi/Muscat (2), Dubai (3)
Nairobi (2), Johannesburg (3).
Bangkok (2), Delhi (2), Hongkong (3), Seoel (3), Osaka (2), Tokio (2), Beijing (3), Shanghai (3), Singapore (3), Taipei (3).
Some of these, e.g. DEL, TPE, DXB, LIM and NBO, will be freight only.
Johan
#7
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Berlin
Programs: BA Silver, LH FTL, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Club Carlson Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 55

This is how the food looks like (KL717 27.3.in J). The worst I ever had on a plane.

And the snack, a little better
We still received an Amenity kit and a house.
#8
#10
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Zanzibar
Programs: Flying Blue
Posts: 1,319
#12
China Airlines: Same level of service
Hi
On my flight with China Airlines (CI) from CGK-TPE (about 5 hours) the service level was also cut to a box of packed items. Besides this, and additional water run, ZERO other amenities onboard/service provided in J (no pillows, blankets, etc). Luckily on my TPE-AMS flight, although reduced service (no menu/options in J), there was still a hot dish, drink service (albeit reduced to very limited options) and the usual amenities.
Below is a photo of the CGK-TPE meal.
Cheers!

On my flight with China Airlines (CI) from CGK-TPE (about 5 hours) the service level was also cut to a box of packed items. Besides this, and additional water run, ZERO other amenities onboard/service provided in J (no pillows, blankets, etc). Luckily on my TPE-AMS flight, although reduced service (no menu/options in J), there was still a hot dish, drink service (albeit reduced to very limited options) and the usual amenities.
Below is a photo of the CGK-TPE meal.
Cheers!


#13
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: amsterdam/nl
Programs: FB PLATINUM IHG ACCOR
Posts: 327
Food in economy and C class is currently the same. The idea is to have less contact moments between cabin crew and passengers. Only non alcoholic beverages on offer ; passengers drinking or asking -more alcohol, is asking for more trouble must be the logic idea behind this
KLM decided to still offer 1 hot meal, all vega on long haul flights as they consider it a no go to offer only a bag with sandwiches on longer flights Most carriers don't fly at all anymore or have a similar product with pre packed items.
Disappointed passengers due to lack of catering is one thing, flying back home happy passengers who have been waiting to get on a flight is another thing.
Don't forget some flights are very full - limiting the interaction with crew seems to me a very good choice for your and the crews health. Safe travels in case you have to that is off course # stay home
KLM decided to still offer 1 hot meal, all vega on long haul flights as they consider it a no go to offer only a bag with sandwiches on longer flights Most carriers don't fly at all anymore or have a similar product with pre packed items.
Disappointed passengers due to lack of catering is one thing, flying back home happy passengers who have been waiting to get on a flight is another thing.
Don't forget some flights are very full - limiting the interaction with crew seems to me a very good choice for your and the crews health. Safe travels in case you have to that is off course # stay home
#14
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Somewhere between BHX and HUY
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Eurobonus Silver, ALL Gold
Posts: 1,482
Aye, it's a sensible measure, and anyone travelling now will not be doing it for leasure but to get somewhere urgently.
+ I'm sure you'll get the usual 8000 miles if you complain politely
+ I'm sure you'll get the usual 8000 miles if you complain politely
