Qantas: More choise, larger meals and improved service for millions of Economy customers

Qantas unveiled details of its new inflight dining offering, which is set to re-define the travel experience for international Economy customers when it rolls out across the network from 25 November.

Customers will enjoy a wider choice of meals, fifty per cent larger servings and faster service.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said the dining experience will set a new standard for the five million Economy customers travelling across the airline’s international network each year.

“We have worked closely with Australia’s leading producers and suppliers to deliver what we believe to be the best inflight economy dining experience offered by any international carrier,” said Mr Joyce.

“The new menu offers more generous meals and an increase from two to four meal options. We also have new meal categories, including a healthy option, comfort food and a meal inspired by the route itself, like Smoky Barbeque Beef on our US flights."

“We have extended our Select on Q Eat service to Economy passengers enabling them to pre-order their meal online with access to an exclusive dish as the fourth dish."

“Together with new serving plates, which remove the need for trays, our crew will be able to serve and clear meals up to 30 minutes faster giving them more time to interact and assist passengers,” added Mr Joyce.

Some of the new dishes on the menu include smoky barbecue beef with roasted sweet potato, broccoli and corn; honey roasted chicken farro salad and seasonal vegetables with pumpkin and sesame seeds; scrambled eggs with chicken sausage, tomato, hash brown and baked beans; and Ruby & Roy’s traditional Greek yoghurt with granola.

Pulled beef sliders with capsicum and tomato relish, Weis ice-cream bars, Maltesers and fresh fruit are among the self-serve grazing options. Shortly after take-off passengers will be served a welcome drink from Bickford’s signature range, featuring flavours exclusive to Qantas such as Lemon & Elderflower, and Pink Grapefruit.

A team of Qantas food and beverage experts spent 12 months researching and developing the new menu and service, speaking with customers, visiting local producers and suppliers and researching food and dining trends. Trials were run on a number of international flights and customer satisfaction on those flights almost doubled, hitting record highs.

“In delivering the new service Qantas continues to invest in Australian suppliers and showcasing the best of what we have to offer to people around the world,” said Mr Joyce.

“Qantas buys from more than 1500 Australian providers of foods, wines and beverages, helping many small Australian companies grow, develop and find new markets.”

Weis Frozen Foods Managing Director, Peter Weis, says their company was introduced to a retail customer in Korea via their partnership with Qantas.

“The manager of a major Korean supermarket chain was flying Qantas and really enjoyed our Mango and Cream bar. Following this introduction, we met with the chain, and they now stock our Weis bars in Korea - we are able to showcase Weis to the world on board with Qantas,” said Mr Weis.

The new Economy dining experience will be available on the following dates:
· 25th November 2014: Melbourne-Dubai-London
· 26th November 2014: Sydney-Dubai-London
· 28th November, 2014: Tasman
· 5th December, 2014: Perth-Auckland seasonal service
· 9th December, 2014: US services; Los Angeles, New York and Dallas/Fort Worth
· 3rd January 2015: Vancouver seasonal service
· 13th January, 2015: Singapore
· 10th February, 2015: Hong Kong
· 1st March, 2015: Santiago, Johannesburg, Honolulu, Bangkok, Shanghai, Narita, Manila, Jakarta and Noumea

sourced:traveldailynews.asia