Long haul plane food
Discussion
TUI Premium from Florida 4th June.
Breakfast tray was disgusting. Even the fresh fruit was so bad I spat the first piece out.
Bread roll... oh, it's a croissant! No butter, pot of jam. Inedible.
Bacon, french toast, scrambled "one piece" egg - all revolting.
Even the pot of yoghurt was hard going.
Tea undrinkable.
Meal outbound was OK (curry) as was meal inbound (curry) but that breakfast... yeuuuck!
Breakfast tray was disgusting. Even the fresh fruit was so bad I spat the first piece out.
Bread roll... oh, it's a croissant! No butter, pot of jam. Inedible.
Bacon, french toast, scrambled "one piece" egg - all revolting.
Even the pot of yoghurt was hard going.
Tea undrinkable.
Meal outbound was OK (curry) as was meal inbound (curry) but that breakfast... yeuuuck!
Zumbruk said:
Petrus1983 said:
Sorry about your father.
Thanks.Petrus1983 said:
The Executive Club rankings do start to make a real difference though - more so than just a free upgrade IMO. I’m silver - I get to pick which seat I’m in when I book, business class check in, have the lounge access including the lounges of the partner airlines, priority boarding (I don’t use it - why be on the plane longer than needed!). But the cumulative is quite a nice flying experience.
Yes, they do. I'm Silver, too, although I think that expires at the end of this year; I haven't been able to make enough flights to keep it up. 
t hits the fan is just what you need (cancelled flight home for 2 days on Xmas Eve springs to mind). I’ve managed to keep Gold for the last 10 years some years they’ve comped it. I just hope I can get to Lifetime Gold before work packs in!I was Qantas Platinum for 3 or 4 years whilst living in Sydney and the seat blocking was the best part of all (the magnificent Sydney first lounge excepted), as I'm only allowed economy when working ... used to make those flights up to Asia much easier if I knew I wouldn't be squeezed so tight. It followed me home to the UK for two years but then I gradually slipped back to BA bronze, where I proudly remain.
On the other hand, I never want to have flyer status ever again, so now travel no more frequently than every few months rather than most weeks, if I can help it. Sick to the back teeth of it all
On the other hand, I never want to have flyer status ever again, so now travel no more frequently than every few months rather than most weeks, if I can help it. Sick to the back teeth of it all
Zumbruk said:
I never saw why people think of business travel as somehow exciting.
It’s because it can be TBH, I’ve seen many wonderful places I wouldn’t otherwise have, stayed in style and eaten great food … all on expenses. Never been one to turn up, spend 16 hours in an office, 8 sleeping then leave - it’s an opportunity to explore strange places and see them through local eyes as opposed to tourist eyes But everything breeds contempt after a while. I’m older now and can’t be bothered, but the odd trip is still nice
nebpor said:
It’s because it can be TBH, I’ve seen many wonderful places I wouldn’t otherwise have, stayed in style and eaten great food … all on expenses. Never been one to turn up, spend 16 hours in an office, 8 sleeping then leave - it’s an opportunity to explore strange places and see them through local eyes as opposed to tourist eyes
But everything breeds contempt after a while. I’m older now and can’t be bothered, but the odd trip is still nice
I fear that one's 17th trip to an industrial estate in Aulnay-sous-Bois is lacking in joie de vivre. But yes, it can be OK.But everything breeds contempt after a while. I’m older now and can’t be bothered, but the odd trip is still nice
Zumbruk said:
I fear that one's 17th trip to an industrial estate in Aulnay-sous-Bois is lacking in joie de vivre. But yes, it can be OK.
Funnily enough one of my favourite trips from Sydney was to the arse end of an industrial estate outside Kuala Lumpur, but I do know what you mean - doing a pen test at ICI in Runcorn in the early noughties springs to mind My experience is that it’s pretty random
Frog Swiss air to nyc in business and the food was so bad I letmy stomach rumble the entire time.
On the way back still on swissair business, I ate at their port and almost waived the menu away, but thought I’d take a peak, fillet steak!! So I said yes loaded manmathing the calories intake against the light in,best inflight meal ever, even the silly little knife they gave you cut into it no issues and the jus was actually testable!
3days ago I flew economy from nyc to kazakstshn via Qatar airlines,food was microwaved chicken curry/ beef stew / chicken rice( it’s a long journey with a change over) and tasted great , packed with meat and flavour.
So for me I find it random., and ensure I buy a decent sweet and salty trail mix with me to offset for any bad experiences, but it’s n general, it’s usually ok and edible enough, which sometimes surprises in a good way, sometimes surprises in a bad way!
Frog Swiss air to nyc in business and the food was so bad I letmy stomach rumble the entire time.
On the way back still on swissair business, I ate at their port and almost waived the menu away, but thought I’d take a peak, fillet steak!! So I said yes loaded manmathing the calories intake against the light in,best inflight meal ever, even the silly little knife they gave you cut into it no issues and the jus was actually testable!
3days ago I flew economy from nyc to kazakstshn via Qatar airlines,food was microwaved chicken curry/ beef stew / chicken rice( it’s a long journey with a change over) and tasted great , packed with meat and flavour.
So for me I find it random., and ensure I buy a decent sweet and salty trail mix with me to offset for any bad experiences, but it’s n general, it’s usually ok and edible enough, which sometimes surprises in a good way, sometimes surprises in a bad way!
UTH said:
I got back from 5 days in Vegas on Wednesday, we went Virgin Atlantic (1 stop both ways but majority of the flight on a Virgin plane)
We bid for an “upgrade” to Economy Delight - never even knew that was a thing
The meal was utter utter garbage. Is this just the new norm in these trying times?
Last time I went to Vegas I actually looked forward to the meal - not expecting 5* quality of course, but my god this was tripe.
Crap hot thing, bread roll and butter. No salt and pepper. No cheese block and biscuit. Not even the old school orange juice with the foil lid.
Hoping this was a one off but I’m guessing not.
I think the worst food i have ever been served in flight has been coming or going to Vegas, BA, Vigin, Delta makes no odds. We bid for an “upgrade” to Economy Delight - never even knew that was a thing
The meal was utter utter garbage. Is this just the new norm in these trying times?
Last time I went to Vegas I actually looked forward to the meal - not expecting 5* quality of course, but my god this was tripe.
Crap hot thing, bread roll and butter. No salt and pepper. No cheese block and biscuit. Not even the old school orange juice with the foil lid.
Hoping this was a one off but I’m guessing not.
One time flying back direct to LGW with BA, they started breakfast service as we passed Glasgow, literally thrown a "wrap" Spinach and Mushroom err I am intolerant of mushrooms, its not a bad allergy, but I will vomit. Tough that's all we have left. So after serving a dinner with mushrooms in both options and a breakfast with mushrooms in, I ate a side salad. Fortunately I never tend to be under fed leaving LV- the Aria Brunch Buffet made sure of that.
Compared to Emirates, Ethiad, Thai, Air Vietnam the Atlantic carriers are crap.
Having worked for a flight catering company (we made desserts) the difference between economy and business and first is vast, both ingredients and the staff preparing the food. Concorde and Emirates first class stuff were works of art with nothing spared on the quality.
Many of the Patissiers had worked in very good London hotels.
Many of the Patissiers had worked in very good London hotels.
nikaiyo2 said:
UTH said:
I got back from 5 days in Vegas on Wednesday, we went Virgin Atlantic (1 stop both ways but majority of the flight on a Virgin plane)
We bid for an “upgrade” to Economy Delight - never even knew that was a thing
The meal was utter utter garbage. Is this just the new norm in these trying times?
Last time I went to Vegas I actually looked forward to the meal - not expecting 5* quality of course, but my god this was tripe.
Crap hot thing, bread roll and butter. No salt and pepper. No cheese block and biscuit. Not even the old school orange juice with the foil lid.
Hoping this was a one off but I’m guessing not.
I think the worst food i have ever been served in flight has been coming or going to Vegas, BA, Vigin, Delta makes no odds. We bid for an “upgrade” to Economy Delight - never even knew that was a thing
The meal was utter utter garbage. Is this just the new norm in these trying times?
Last time I went to Vegas I actually looked forward to the meal - not expecting 5* quality of course, but my god this was tripe.
Crap hot thing, bread roll and butter. No salt and pepper. No cheese block and biscuit. Not even the old school orange juice with the foil lid.
Hoping this was a one off but I’m guessing not.
One time flying back direct to LGW with BA, they started breakfast service as we passed Glasgow, literally thrown a "wrap" Spinach and Mushroom err I am intolerant of mushrooms, its not a bad allergy, but I will vomit. Tough that's all we have left. So after serving a dinner with mushrooms in both options and a breakfast with mushrooms in, I ate a side salad. Fortunately I never tend to be under fed leaving LV- the Aria Brunch Buffet made sure of that.
Compared to Emirates, Ethiad, Thai, Air Vietnam the Atlantic carriers are crap.
Flew out again at the start of June and paid the £100 upgrade to Euro Business Class and I wasn't expecting much but I got pretty nice meal, a pasta salary thing, quiche and fruit, chocolate dessert and something else I can't quite remember. Euro Business Class is a bit of misnomer because all it gets you is priority boarding and the middle seat blocked off (and of course being on the better side of that flimsy little curtain they put up
) but I'll give them credit, the meal and service was above standard given it was a basic 737 flight.My standard rule with inflight stuff is: economy/economy plus, stop at pret and grab a sandwich or two for the flight (particularly since they dont tend to give any breakfast). Business/First I'll be ok with almost everyone, except virgin where everything is horrible (though I always nick the salt and pepper pots)
I'm about to lose gold with BA in december (thank goodness for the soft landing), I also tend to eat in the lounge, but then like a greedy bloater I'll eat on the plane too.
I cant remember what the meals cost the airline, but its very very little, I think even the first class meals are about £15 each.
I'm about to lose gold with BA in december (thank goodness for the soft landing), I also tend to eat in the lounge, but then like a greedy bloater I'll eat on the plane too.
I cant remember what the meals cost the airline, but its very very little, I think even the first class meals are about £15 each.
Im with the "thank God Ive lost status" crowd, it means Ive stopped spending my life in airports, tin cans and away from home.
Who on earth is shocked that flying with TUI will mean crap food though? Of course it will be crap, you know it will be crap before you even board the plan, you are flying with TUI ffs! The same goes for flying anywhere with anyone in economy, short haul or long. Any sustenance you will be given will be naff.
When I do fly now, on short haul, if the Biz upgrade is less than £100, Ill almost always take it. The cost of the flight is client chargeable, so the upgrade is on me, but its a tax write off anyway. It just makes life more bearable.
Who on earth is shocked that flying with TUI will mean crap food though? Of course it will be crap, you know it will be crap before you even board the plan, you are flying with TUI ffs! The same goes for flying anywhere with anyone in economy, short haul or long. Any sustenance you will be given will be naff.
When I do fly now, on short haul, if the Biz upgrade is less than £100, Ill almost always take it. The cost of the flight is client chargeable, so the upgrade is on me, but its a tax write off anyway. It just makes life more bearable.
iphonedyou said:
chandrew said:
Unless in first (when you might get a chef cooking you what you want)
On what airline?
Googling it it looks like they dropped this in autumn 2020.
HotJambalaya said:
I cant remember what the meals cost the airline, but its very very little, I think even the first class meals are about £15 each.
I used to work for an airline in the catering office £15.00 is nowhere even close for 1st class. Probably double at least.Of course US, UK / Europe main airports are cheaper than smaller airports. Anything from the Caribbean and Africa is $$$$.as most of the food is imported. Any airport that has a single monopoly catering company is normally poor quality and expensive!
As food is heated in a blast oven (not a microwave) some dishes get overcooked
r159 said:
Having worked for a flight catering company (we made desserts) the difference between economy and business and first is vast, both ingredients and the staff preparing the food. Concorde and Emirates first class stuff were works of art with nothing spared on the quality.
Many of the Patissiers had worked in very good London hotels.
I had a friend who worked at the catering place at Heathrow doing Asian food. They had machines that made the rice blocks for sushi for economy and business, however, First Class had the Head Chef making the rice blocks by hand - so they were slightly curved, and ...er...er...just better.Many of the Patissiers had worked in very good London hotels.
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