Originally Posted by Always Flyin (Post 24159650)

Large companies can negotiate up to a 40% discount.

Originally Posted by Bookexp (Post 24151813)

All airlines food are "precooked".

Originally Posted by Bear96 (Post 24159799)

I think your are not remembering correctly, at least if you are referring to any US-based carrier (and probably others, but I am not sure about all non-US airlines).

For at least the last 20-25 years (and probably longer, but my first-hand knowledge only goes back that far), "cooking" only occurs on the ground in the flight kitchens. The ovens on the aircraft are designed to only reheat things to make them warm enough to serve.

Originally Posted by DiscHandler (Post 24161997)

And where did you pull that $12 number out of? What is the dollar value for a bottle that should be assigned to a pour in global first (in your mind)?

Originally Posted by BearX220 (Post 24162537)

Air Canada first class dining, 1960s:


Pan Am first class dining, 1960s:


United first class dining, 2015:

Originally Posted by mikelcf (Post 24159987)

Every person's situation is different, but for me it is the network. If you travel frequently to both Asia and the U.S., I don't think there is a carrier out there with a better network (at least to where I need to go). That is a large part of what keeps me at UA, and choosing to sit in GF, despite the many issues.

In exchange for a lower quality international product in GF and Business, my domestic travel is significantly improved because of GS. Almost 100% domestic upgrades and excellent IRROPS. Yes GF on the 747's is obviously inferior to many of UA's competitors - no question (and with UA getting rid of the GFL at LAX the value has gotten even worse for me). But the trade-off for better domestic is worthwhile, for now.

For someone with GS, a slightly worse GF product is well worth it because of the other benefits. Last month, my flight landed late at SFO, leaving 7 minutes before my connection time to CDG. The GS team got me to my connecting plane via Mercedes in time to catch my flight, which was waiting for us (they were clearly holding the plane as they shut the door right behind me). No way I could have made it on foot from the domestic or int'l terminals and I would not have even tried. I have also received calls at my home in the morning from GS reps to apprise me of a likely delay later that day, and several options.

Originally Posted by tyroner (Post 24162057)

Not always. In BF into Dublin they don't even give you a hot breakfast.

Originally Posted by gengar (Post 24162605)

2) Reheating still "cooks" food, hence if FAs care enough, they can make individual adjustments by request.

Originally Posted by Bear96 (Post 24164412)

I guess, if you think "warming" = "cooking."

Originally Posted by gengar (Post 24162605)

Just to add on to this - I looked into an individual PassPlus account back in 2009, and even that pricing was close to a 40% discount off full F... so I'd have to imagine that big companies would probably get even higher discounts.



Absolutely untrue.



Well, you alluded to two important points yourself:
1) Many non-USA airlines fully cook at least some foods in-flight;
2) Reheating still "cooks" food, hence if FAs care enough, they can make individual adjustments by request.

BTW, I read a fantastic article - I forget what publication and what airline, but I think it was Emirates - where it was mentioned that a key focus of the meal design was the precise point to which foods were pre-cooked so as to minimize risk of overcooking during reheating onboard.



In the PMUA days, there was a time I was flying ORD-LHR in F regularly where many of the offerings were ~$8 retail bottles, and I don't think any broke $15. I doubt things have changed much since then. And the real travesty is that they weren't even good $8 bottles of wine...

Meanwhile EVA served Dom and now offers La Grande Dame in business class...

... and I have to admit, there is some truth to porciuscato's comments, as I can't remember the last time I reclined my seat fully in BA F, as I'm usually too busy drinking well more than my fair share of LPGS on my day flights home.

Originally Posted by elitetraveler (Post 24164436)

CX and others have electric skillets in the F galley to cook eggs to order.

Originally Posted by elitetraveler (Post 24164436)

CX and others have electric skillets in the F galley to cook eggs to order.

Originally Posted by gengar (Post 24162605)

In the PMUA days, there was a time I was flying ORD-LHR in F regularly where many of the offerings were ~$8 retail bottles, and I don't think any broke $15. I doubt things have changed much since then. And the real travesty is that they weren't even good $8 bottles of wine...

Originally Posted by DiscHandler (Post 24166223)

My point is I just quoted the prices of the 4 bottles that I had glasses of on my last international trip and they were all $20 and above (mainly based on the K&L website here in SF) and directly off the current UA winelist on-line. I would like your data points. Saying that "I doubt things have changed much" is why I roll my eyes at the anecdotal hyperbole around here.

Originally Posted by kevinsac (Post 24151816)

With numerous options from Asian carriers, your trip was tainted from the moment you (or the client) selected UA. Unfortunately, that's the reality of GF.

Originally Posted by BearX220 (Post 24162537)

Air Canada first class dining, 1960s:
Pan Am first class dining, 1960s:

Originally Posted by Bear96 (Post 24164412)

I guess, if you think "warming" = "cooking."

Originally Posted by DiscHandler (Post 24166223)

My point is I just quoted the prices of the 4 bottles that I had glasses of on my last international trip and they were all $20 and above (mainly based on the K&L website here in SF) and directly off the current UA winelist on-line. I would like your data points. Saying that "I doubt things have changed much" is why I roll my eyes at the anecdotal hyperbole around here.

Originally Posted by rankourabu (Post 24167214)

ahhh... look at those flat bed seats/suites...

....oh waaaaait ....