First Class Menus and Experiences From Bygone Years
Aug 12, 2023 | 7:58 am
#707
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 3,259
Why would you assume that? It should be obvious that Seat 2A has a large collection of menus and that he spent the time writing an intro for each post. If all he did was post the menu, this thread would be pretty boring.
If you don't like the storytelling at the beginning of each post, feel free to unsubscribe!
If you don't like the storytelling at the beginning of each post, feel free to unsubscribe!
Aug 13, 2023 | 2:16 am
#709
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 13,664
Thanks for all the reports. The narrative on the one quoted right below from 1971 says it’s the first time in first class and recalls having to save money for that, but you have multiple reports in first from the ‘60s. What am I missing? Are these the recollections of different people or are parts of these narratives fiction to get the readers into some mood? Or maybe this is explained somewhere. I assumed these are all your trips and non-fictional accounts.
). That said, for anyone out there who might be left in anything less than a felicitous mood (or at least a bit hungry) after slogging through some a these narratives, I would whole heartedly recommend checking out some of the many other superb trip reports here - most all of them far better written by people of considerably higher intellects than one as unrepentantly middling as I will likely ever possess.And of course, the other trip reports are based upon true events rather than fiction!
Last edited by Seat 2A; Aug 14, 2023 at 11:14 am
Aug 13, 2023 | 2:31 am
#710
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 13,664
Your loss is my gain! I've rarely met an inflight appetizer I didn't like, so I'd start with whatever they were offering as an appetizer (Maybe two of them since you skipped yours!) followed by the Spinach Salad (hold the olives, please) and then a nice thick slab of the Roast Rib of Beef Au Jus (preferably medium rare) with an extra dollop of horseradish sauce - the hotter, the better. As for dessert, I wish the US carriers could come up with something more creative than simple ice cream. I remember a wonderful carrot cake once served to me aboard Western Airlines. Delicious! Continental once proffered a magnificent Black Forest Cake on a EWR-DEN flight. TWA once served us lucky few a fabulous Tiramisu on a short ORD-DEN flight. I like ice cream but come on - First Class deserves better than a simple scoop topped with whatever...
Last edited by Seat 2A; Aug 13, 2023 at 3:07 am
Aug 13, 2023 | 2:37 am
#711
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: PERTH
Programs: QF P1 LTG SQ PPS IHG Diamond Elite Avis PC
Posts: 307
SEAT 2A
Thank you for your considerable effort and creativity
For those of us who have a genuine passion and love of flying, your details mean a lot
As a "Pan AM child" I benefited from my Dad's employee travel perks in F until their demise and still have F menus from the 70's
Your prose is spot on
May it long continue
Ian
Thank you for your considerable effort and creativity
For those of us who have a genuine passion and love of flying, your details mean a lot
As a "Pan AM child" I benefited from my Dad's employee travel perks in F until their demise and still have F menus from the 70's
Your prose is spot on
May it long continue
Ian
Aug 14, 2023 | 1:27 am
#712
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: BA Silver / Aegean
Posts: 306
seat 2A - keep bloody posting m8!
your stories and these collection of Menus from other voyagers make me dream also of my youth and a bygone age.
I'm afraid now in today's age Air France and Qatar might be the Food Carriers of the World where we can enjoy decent food en flight.
But I need to reminisce with the Group and offer my own Experiences that blew me away and got me on this Journey with you all!....
1. Swissair Economy. - March 1979. London-Geneva DC9. Window Seat.
Christ that Snack...... was good!
Cold Ham, warm Bread, nice fresh Salad, Swiss Cheeses, Chocolate Mousse........ I was 20 then and enjoyed a beer and some Swiss Wine.. The approach into GVA was over the Lake - what a way to fly. Swissair hooked me and the further meal into Karachi wasn't bad on those big DC10's - these were in the days of 8 abreast so proper room in Economy!
2. BOAC Economy. - Lets face it I was a boarding school teenager. all the way from Singapore back to London. Stops in Colombo, Mumbai, Dubai & Beirut.
Engine Swap at Beirut so overnight in the big swimming pool by the bay. It tragically got bombed later...
Food was brilliant compared to Home with cold Canapes I seem to remember and the Hostess kept me fed. - this was in the age of the Junior Jet Club. And I looked older so was sneaking beers then as you do! VC10 tenderness! We all smuggled cigarettes back to school to sell for tuck money - I have never smoked but guess I was a drug dealer back then!
3. AF Airbus A300 CDG to London - Economy
I had to get a Visa for a remote African republic where my father worked. Again circa 1977. AbbaDays in Music Land. simple flShort ight home but got upgraded in my second hand Afghan coat - remember those days. So Champagne and Petit Fours and polite Sandwiches for the short flight back to London. I think the Afghan Coat helped with getting drinks as the Crew must have thought I was older LOL! Knocked back the Ciders subsequently at the School Disco and had a memorable night!
Younger Days......
thanks for the Memories and the Posts everyone!
Cheers
SteveG
I'm afraid now in today's age Air France and Qatar might be the Food Carriers of the World where we can enjoy decent food en flight.
But I need to reminisce with the Group and offer my own Experiences that blew me away and got me on this Journey with you all!....
1. Swissair Economy. - March 1979. London-Geneva DC9. Window Seat.
Christ that Snack...... was good!
Cold Ham, warm Bread, nice fresh Salad, Swiss Cheeses, Chocolate Mousse........ I was 20 then and enjoyed a beer and some Swiss Wine.. The approach into GVA was over the Lake - what a way to fly. Swissair hooked me and the further meal into Karachi wasn't bad on those big DC10's - these were in the days of 8 abreast so proper room in Economy!
2. BOAC Economy. - Lets face it I was a boarding school teenager. all the way from Singapore back to London. Stops in Colombo, Mumbai, Dubai & Beirut.
Engine Swap at Beirut so overnight in the big swimming pool by the bay. It tragically got bombed later...
Food was brilliant compared to Home with cold Canapes I seem to remember and the Hostess kept me fed. - this was in the age of the Junior Jet Club. And I looked older so was sneaking beers then as you do! VC10 tenderness! We all smuggled cigarettes back to school to sell for tuck money - I have never smoked but guess I was a drug dealer back then!
3. AF Airbus A300 CDG to London - Economy
I had to get a Visa for a remote African republic where my father worked. Again circa 1977. AbbaDays in Music Land. simple flShort ight home but got upgraded in my second hand Afghan coat - remember those days. So Champagne and Petit Fours and polite Sandwiches for the short flight back to London. I think the Afghan Coat helped with getting drinks as the Crew must have thought I was older LOL! Knocked back the Ciders subsequently at the School Disco and had a memorable night!
Younger Days......
thanks for the Memories and the Posts everyone!
Cheers
SteveG
Aug 19, 2023 | 12:33 pm
#713
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 2,689
I still remember a cold dinner I was served on DL from ORF-ATL in roughly 1988...in coach...it was a casserole dish with a scoop of potato, a scoop of tuna and a scoop of egg salad served with a couple packages of sesame crackers and a chocolate candy. Likewise, a snack on YX (Midwest Express) same time frame at about 5 in the afternoon between DTW and MKE was apple chips served with a cinnamon cream cheese dip...impressive and perfect for the flight time.
Aug 23, 2023 | 7:30 pm
#714
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: BA Silver / Aegean
Posts: 306
Another great carrier back when I used to fly in the Middle East was MEA Air Liban thru Beirut.
Good Food always provided and the Fruit Basket was such a great idea coming from the Saudi. Fresh Cold Apples.....
That changed once the war started in 75 but I always remember Hamra Street for the great Cinemas and the Phoenicia Hotel by the Pigeon Rock.
Alia Royal Jordanian was another alternative and I remember the scream from those Boeing 720's as they used to roar overhead by the ARAMCO complex in Dhahran. I actually learnt to play Golf with me Dad there on the Slicks ! Handicap still awful now...
Memories.....
Good Food always provided and the Fruit Basket was such a great idea coming from the Saudi. Fresh Cold Apples.....
That changed once the war started in 75 but I always remember Hamra Street for the great Cinemas and the Phoenicia Hotel by the Pigeon Rock.
Alia Royal Jordanian was another alternative and I remember the scream from those Boeing 720's as they used to roar overhead by the ARAMCO complex in Dhahran. I actually learnt to play Golf with me Dad there on the Slicks ! Handicap still awful now...
Memories.....
Aug 23, 2023 | 8:20 pm
#715
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: BA Silver / Aegean
Posts: 306
Other Dodgy Carriers back in the day. - CSA Czech. /. Iran Air. /. Gulf Air
We were 3 kids going back to UK Boarding School so cheapest flights usually beckoned! It's made me a traveller and used to alternatives. These were the disaster flights....
1. CSA Czech. I think IL-18 prop jobs then. Not total disaster as we had to get to Beirut ( pre 75 War ) on MEA. but Engine Collapse in Prague so overnight. Wedding Party in Hotel! Introduced to Czech Beer. My brother indulged too heavily lol..... I now make up for lost time! Long change with MEA in Beirut was the snag, Sandwiches were nice though on CSA Czech. Communist era.....
2, Iran Air - Pathetic those B727's....... Fog at Kuwait and 1 day on an airport floor in Tehran. No booze on plane. never again. Period. Learnt how to swear in Fahrzi at Tehran airport it was that bad!
3. Gulf Air. - days of VC10 tenderness with a stop in BEY. no food from Beirut as food contaminated. long way back to Heathrow with no nosh. non stop Tristar's introduced after I passed School Exams and flying..... these were pre Emirates days...... Dubai airport has changed a little bit or 2 since then!
we were 3 kids going to/from school in UK and memories and stories do not cease now.
Enjoy
We were 3 kids going back to UK Boarding School so cheapest flights usually beckoned! It's made me a traveller and used to alternatives. These were the disaster flights....
1. CSA Czech. I think IL-18 prop jobs then. Not total disaster as we had to get to Beirut ( pre 75 War ) on MEA. but Engine Collapse in Prague so overnight. Wedding Party in Hotel! Introduced to Czech Beer. My brother indulged too heavily lol..... I now make up for lost time! Long change with MEA in Beirut was the snag, Sandwiches were nice though on CSA Czech. Communist era.....
2, Iran Air - Pathetic those B727's....... Fog at Kuwait and 1 day on an airport floor in Tehran. No booze on plane. never again. Period. Learnt how to swear in Fahrzi at Tehran airport it was that bad!
3. Gulf Air. - days of VC10 tenderness with a stop in BEY. no food from Beirut as food contaminated. long way back to Heathrow with no nosh. non stop Tristar's introduced after I passed School Exams and flying..... these were pre Emirates days...... Dubai airport has changed a little bit or 2 since then!
we were 3 kids going to/from school in UK and memories and stories do not cease now.
Enjoy
Sep 5, 2023 | 11:13 am
#716
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 13,664
Thanks for all of the great memories, everyone! They are every bit as enjoyable and entertaining as these menus and, should any of you readers out there care to post more, I'm sure they'll be well received!
Sep 5, 2023 | 4:11 pm
#717
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Charlottesville, Va. USA
Posts: 1,803
Sorry for the confusion. This isn't me travelling here. These are just menus from the collection. As to the narratives, I just make them up as I go. Being as I generally have no more writing ability than a drunk third grader (on my best daze), I can't possibly imagine what kind of mood these narratives might leave the readers in (and it's probably for the best if I don't try ). That said, for anyone out there who might be left in anything less than a felicitous mood (or at least a bit hungry) after slogging through some a these narratives, I would whole heartedly recommend checking out some of the many other superb trip reports here - most all of them far better written by people of considerably higher intellects than one as unrepentantly middling as I will likely ever possess.
And of course, the other trip reports are based upon true events rather than fiction!
). That said, for anyone out there who might be left in anything less than a felicitous mood (or at least a bit hungry) after slogging through some a these narratives, I would whole heartedly recommend checking out some of the many other superb trip reports here - most all of them far better written by people of considerably higher intellects than one as unrepentantly middling as I will likely ever possess.And of course, the other trip reports are based upon true events rather than fiction!
JMJ9905
Sep 19, 2023 | 1:34 am
#719
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 13,664
But I need to reminisce with the Group and offer my own Experiences that blew me away and got me on this Journey with you all!....
1. Swissair Economy. - March 1979. London-Geneva DC9. Window Seat.
Christ that Snack...... was good! Cold Ham, warm Bread, nice fresh Salad, Swiss Cheeses, Chocolate Mousse........ I was 20 then and enjoyed a beer and some Swiss Wine.. The approach into GVA was over the Lake - what a way to fly. Swissair hooked me and the further meal into Karachi wasn't bad on those big DC10's - these were in the days of 8 abreast so proper room in Economy!
2. BOAC Economy. - Singapore to London via Colombo, Mumbai, Dubai & Beirut.
Engine Swap at Beirut so overnight in the big swimming pool by the bay. It tragically got bombed later...Food was brilliant compared to Home with cold Canapes I seem to remember and the Hostess kept me fed. - this was in the age of the Junior Jet Club. And I looked older so was sneaking beers then as you do! VC10 tenderness! We all smuggled cigarettes back to school to sell for tuck money - I have never smoked but guess I was a drug dealer back then!
3. AF Airbus A300 CDG to London - Economy
I had to get a Visa for a remote African republic where my father worked. Again circa 1977. AbbaDays in Music Land. simple flShort ight home but got upgraded in my second hand Afghan coat - remember those days. So Champagne and Petit Fours and polite Sandwiches for the short flight back to London. I think the Afghan Coat helped with getting drinks as the Crew must have thought I was older LOL! Knocked back the Ciders subsequently at the School Disco and had a memorable night!
Younger Days...... thanks for the Memories and the Posts everyone! Cheers
SteveG
1. Swissair Economy. - March 1979. London-Geneva DC9. Window Seat.
Christ that Snack...... was good! Cold Ham, warm Bread, nice fresh Salad, Swiss Cheeses, Chocolate Mousse........ I was 20 then and enjoyed a beer and some Swiss Wine.. The approach into GVA was over the Lake - what a way to fly. Swissair hooked me and the further meal into Karachi wasn't bad on those big DC10's - these were in the days of 8 abreast so proper room in Economy!
2. BOAC Economy. - Singapore to London via Colombo, Mumbai, Dubai & Beirut.
Engine Swap at Beirut so overnight in the big swimming pool by the bay. It tragically got bombed later...Food was brilliant compared to Home with cold Canapes I seem to remember and the Hostess kept me fed. - this was in the age of the Junior Jet Club. And I looked older so was sneaking beers then as you do! VC10 tenderness! We all smuggled cigarettes back to school to sell for tuck money - I have never smoked but guess I was a drug dealer back then!
3. AF Airbus A300 CDG to London - Economy
I had to get a Visa for a remote African republic where my father worked. Again circa 1977. AbbaDays in Music Land. simple flShort ight home but got upgraded in my second hand Afghan coat - remember those days. So Champagne and Petit Fours and polite Sandwiches for the short flight back to London. I think the Afghan Coat helped with getting drinks as the Crew must have thought I was older LOL! Knocked back the Ciders subsequently at the School Disco and had a memorable night!
Younger Days...... thanks for the Memories and the Posts everyone! Cheers
SteveG
These were great fun to read, along with the other well told memories you submitted. Such was the essence of flying back in the day and I'm sure I'm not the only one who envies your international travels back in what I consider the heydey of great inflight service - the seventies - with new widebodies and still plenty of not yet old though plenty fuel inefficient VC10s, 990s and the like.
On the topic of memories, it's been some years since I posted these so I don't know if any you caught a couple of trip reports I posted about some flights I experienced back in the late 1970s. They would seem to fit well with some of these recent postings though, and so below are a couple of links -
Denver to Honolulu via Canada in 1976 (On a trip that was supposed to go to Mexico!)
DENVER TO ALASKA ROUNDTRIP via SO, TI, DL, AA, AS, WC, CP, PW and UA
This last trip report sprung up from an effort to recreate (per flights in the 1969 International OAG) the routing followed between London and Sydney by the Imperial Airways flying boats of the late 1930s. I came up with a routing and then had a little fun fictionalizing it into a trip report...
Strolling down memory lane between London and Sydney in 1969
Sep 19, 2023 | 8:12 pm
#720
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 13,664
One of the most exciting parts of flying First Class is arriving at the departure gate and gazing out upon your beautiful flying machine. Warm light glows through the forward windows and it's a wonderful feeling to know that you'll soon be comfortably ensconced up there. On this warm October night in 1983, you'll be flying aboard LAN Chile's highly regarded First Class from Miami down to Santiago. The gate lounge is sheer bedlam - noisy and crowded, babies screaming... - and so it is with considerable relief that boarding for First Class passengers is announced and you can make your way down the jetway to your waiting DC-10-30.
Ah... Jetway to heaven! Two raven haired flight attendants - nicely attired in LAN's attractive dark blue uniforms - welcome you onboard and show you to your seat. LAN's DC-10 First Class sleepers are wide and deep - exceptionally well padded and very comfortable indeed. Soon you've a nicely chilled Pisco Sour in hand, savoring its tangy goodness while opening the large, colorful menu to peruse the menu options. Tonight's flight stops in Lima. Given the late night departure and the short 4 hour flight time to Lima, a Light Dinner will be served on the first leg with breakfast on the second. Taking another sip from your Pisco Sour, you're pleased to see the inclusion of caviar on tonight's hors d'oeuvres listings...
LAN . CHILE
First Class Service
LIGHT DINNER
Miami to Lima
Cocktails and Canapes
Mixed Nuts
Hors D'Oeuvres
Caviar Malossol from the Caspian Sea
Shrimps Roi Neptune
Fois Gras with Truffles
Hawaiian Ham
Soup
Cream of Vegetable with croutons
ENTREE SELECTIONS
Tenderloin Filet Cafe de Paris
or
Filet of Sole du Roi
Basque Rice
Irish Potatoes
Garden Vegetables
DESSERT
Snow Ball
Made with Neufchatel cheese, milk, vanilla instant pudding, whipped topping and marshmallows
Cheese Board
Selection of fine International cheeses
Fresh Fruit Basket
Coffee - Tea - Herbal Tea
x x x < * > x x x
BREAKFAST
Lima to Santiago
Starters
Fruit Juices
Cereal
Yogurt
Appetizer
Fresh strawberries with Chantilly Cream
Apple Pancakes
or
Eggs Cooked to Order
Bacon
Canadian Bacon
Smoked Sausages
From the Bakery
Toast
Croissants
Brioches
Butter, Jam or Honey
Coffee - Tea - Milk
Ah... Jetway to heaven! Two raven haired flight attendants - nicely attired in LAN's attractive dark blue uniforms - welcome you onboard and show you to your seat. LAN's DC-10 First Class sleepers are wide and deep - exceptionally well padded and very comfortable indeed. Soon you've a nicely chilled Pisco Sour in hand, savoring its tangy goodness while opening the large, colorful menu to peruse the menu options. Tonight's flight stops in Lima. Given the late night departure and the short 4 hour flight time to Lima, a Light Dinner will be served on the first leg with breakfast on the second. Taking another sip from your Pisco Sour, you're pleased to see the inclusion of caviar on tonight's hors d'oeuvres listings...
LAN . CHILE
First Class Service
LIGHT DINNER
Miami to Lima
Cocktails and Canapes
Mixed Nuts
Hors D'Oeuvres
Caviar Malossol from the Caspian Sea
Shrimps Roi Neptune
Fois Gras with Truffles
Hawaiian Ham
Soup
Cream of Vegetable with croutons
ENTREE SELECTIONS
Tenderloin Filet Cafe de Paris
or
Filet of Sole du Roi
Basque Rice
Irish Potatoes
Garden Vegetables
DESSERT
Snow Ball
Made with Neufchatel cheese, milk, vanilla instant pudding, whipped topping and marshmallows
Cheese Board
Selection of fine International cheeses
Fresh Fruit Basket
Coffee - Tea - Herbal Tea
x x x < * > x x x
BREAKFAST
Lima to Santiago
Starters
Fruit Juices
Cereal
Yogurt
Appetizer
Fresh strawberries with Chantilly Cream
Apple Pancakes
or
Eggs Cooked to Order
Bacon
Canadian Bacon
Smoked Sausages
From the Bakery
Toast
Croissants
Brioches
Butter, Jam or Honey
Coffee - Tea - Milk