QF22 NRT-SYD J catering downgrade - permanent? (vs JQ)
#1
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
QF22 NRT-SYD J catering downgrade - permanent? (vs JQ)
It appears that Qantas has stopped serving dinner on QF22 from NRT to SYD.
The flight is at dinner time (1950 departure), and other operators on similar routes and time serve a full dinner, so why have Qantas decided that a very small bowl of soup noodles with not much else is enough in J? (It's not even a hearty bowl of noodles - it was more like a pretty plain soup with token amount of noodles.)
What baffles me in particular is that JQ "Business" catering is now far, far superior from NRT than on QF. You get a proper dinner, including an option for a steak etc.
I suppose QF won't be cannibalised by JQ in J due to lack of beds on JQ "Business", as I myself have avoided overnight JQ flights. But the difference in catering is stark. Despite not flying JQ overnight, I know the JQ catering as the return flight menu is printed on the same menu for the day flight to Tokyo, which I sometimes use.
JL used to do a mildly irritating thing called the "bistro menu" in J on this route where they served a relatively basic dinner with the entree and the main delivered on a tray at the same time, meaning by the time you have your main course it's no longer hot. However, they have had a big turnaround in catering on the route and they now do a "full dinner" (including a pretty fancy Japanese food), so to speak.
Although I have some issues with JL such as hot cabin at times, it is tempting me more towards flying JL than QF because I do not really feel like paying through the nose only to be given a small of bowl of noodles, and both beds are as uncomfortable as the other (sadly).
I'm sorry Qantas, I'm not on a diet, and I do not want to be forced onto a calorie-restricted diet. I would like an option to have a proper dinner on board if I am flying at a proper dinner time. Not a tiny little snack. Even European short haul carriers serve a hot meal on a longer flight in the evening. This is a long haul flight for which Qantas charge pretty handsomely.
It's one thing if they then served a hearty breakfast but it was just a very light "continental" type of breakfast.
Anyway, is Qantas running a trial with reduced catering on this route, or is is permanent?
The flight is at dinner time (1950 departure), and other operators on similar routes and time serve a full dinner, so why have Qantas decided that a very small bowl of soup noodles with not much else is enough in J? (It's not even a hearty bowl of noodles - it was more like a pretty plain soup with token amount of noodles.)
What baffles me in particular is that JQ "Business" catering is now far, far superior from NRT than on QF. You get a proper dinner, including an option for a steak etc.
I suppose QF won't be cannibalised by JQ in J due to lack of beds on JQ "Business", as I myself have avoided overnight JQ flights. But the difference in catering is stark. Despite not flying JQ overnight, I know the JQ catering as the return flight menu is printed on the same menu for the day flight to Tokyo, which I sometimes use.
JL used to do a mildly irritating thing called the "bistro menu" in J on this route where they served a relatively basic dinner with the entree and the main delivered on a tray at the same time, meaning by the time you have your main course it's no longer hot. However, they have had a big turnaround in catering on the route and they now do a "full dinner" (including a pretty fancy Japanese food), so to speak.
Although I have some issues with JL such as hot cabin at times, it is tempting me more towards flying JL than QF because I do not really feel like paying through the nose only to be given a small of bowl of noodles, and both beds are as uncomfortable as the other (sadly).
I'm sorry Qantas, I'm not on a diet, and I do not want to be forced onto a calorie-restricted diet. I would like an option to have a proper dinner on board if I am flying at a proper dinner time. Not a tiny little snack. Even European short haul carriers serve a hot meal on a longer flight in the evening. This is a long haul flight for which Qantas charge pretty handsomely.
It's one thing if they then served a hearty breakfast but it was just a very light "continental" type of breakfast.
Anyway, is Qantas running a trial with reduced catering on this route, or is is permanent?
#2
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Melbourne
Programs: Velocity Gold
Posts: 1,069
Crazy stuff. I flew a red eye out Tokyo on SQ last week in business and they managed to serve a very hearty full meal and have it cleared within the hour of take off still allowing plenty of sleep time. Same on TG out of MEL the other day on the 11:30pm departure.
Oh they also offer a full breakfast if you wish but I turned down to continue sleeping, much better than any 'cafe' breakfast/
Oh they also offer a full breakfast if you wish but I turned down to continue sleeping, much better than any 'cafe' breakfast/
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QF Gold LTG (ow Saph), HHon Silver, Marriot Gold
Posts: 2,927
Do you have the actual menu.
Even on the much later departing SIN services (eg QF6 which departs at 2300) there are usually some more substantive options offered in the Snack section.
While myself (and I suspect most) would eat at the airport/ in the lounge (noting that 8.30pm at NRT is 9.30pm in SYD) and then sleep most of the flight,
QF certainly do need to provide for those who are operating in different time zones or say transiting to South America and may want to stay awake and eat.
Even on the much later departing SIN services (eg QF6 which departs at 2300) there are usually some more substantive options offered in the Snack section.
While myself (and I suspect most) would eat at the airport/ in the lounge (noting that 8.30pm at NRT is 9.30pm in SYD) and then sleep most of the flight,
QF certainly do need to provide for those who are operating in different time zones or say transiting to South America and may want to stay awake and eat.
#7
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
I forgot to bring the menu back so I cannot post the precise details, but it certainly was a rather nasty surprise.
I remember thinking they were starters and they were "AND" gate rather than "OR" gate (common on Asia routes to get multiple small dishes on various carriers) because they seemed so surprisingly like a snack.
By the way, I am not sure if the menu had been downgraded SYD-NRT or if it is just NRT-SYD.
I sincerely hope it was a temporary thing, but since the menu was properly printed rather than being temporary looking, I fear it might be permanent.
#9
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: BA Silver, Velocity Gold
Posts: 329
Part of AJ's Jetstar master plan... J travellers will stay away from QF due to the "enhancements", AJ will say the route isn't fit for QFi as a full service carrier due to lack of premium customers, and they'll switch the remaining flight over to Jetstar
#10
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LON
Programs: QF Plat & LTG, VA Plat
Posts: 1,435
Hey LTN Phobia, was there any other choices on the menu? Surely the noodles wasn't the only big plate available?
serfty - I find the FAs push back when I try to get more than one plate, saying "there isn't enough to go around", or "I'll see what's leftover at the end" and then never seeing them again. I don't know if the catering is lightly loaded or if they'd prefer to keep some meals for themselves.
serfty - I find the FAs push back when I try to get more than one plate, saying "there isn't enough to go around", or "I'll see what's leftover at the end" and then never seeing them again. I don't know if the catering is lightly loaded or if they'd prefer to keep some meals for themselves.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
....I find the FAs push back when I try to get more than one plate, saying "there isn't enough to go around", or "I'll see what's leftover at the end" and then never seeing them again. I don't know if the catering is lightly loaded or if they'd prefer to keep some meals for themselves.
#12
#14
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
My seat neighbour ordered something else and it was equally small and plain, although I cannot remember what it was. Basically, all selections were just small snacks. That is what surprised me - there was basically nothing substantial to eat. Those who had not had dinner (since the flight departed at 1950, you would expect to be served dinner) will have had a nasty surprise. Luckily I had a bit to eat at the JL lounge, so I was not left very hungry, mainly just intrigued.
Last edited by LTN Phobia; May 5, 2014 at 11:15 am