Seriously, who came up with this idea of the 'cafe breakfast' on the overnight SIN-Australia flights? It's a tiny pastry, a small yogurt and a poor juice. It is in fact so poor an offering that the breakfast tray on Cityflyer is a more appealing and substantial meal.
Please indulge my comparison. On QF 6 (SIN-SYD) this morning, I received a tiny and terribly dry cinnamon scroll, a sweet Meiji strawberry yogurt and a generic orange juice in a sealed-top cup.
The last time I got a Cityflyer tray breakfast, we got: one small muffin, one bowl of muesli, one bottle of milk, one cup of juice and the option to to take a fresh apple. Much better.
The international 'cafe breakfast' ex-SIN is nothing short of disgraceful. Sorry, but not sorry.
You know, comparing my Qantas experiences from late 2011, early 2012, mid 2013 and now early 2014, I must say that while the lounges have improved tremendously, the cabin experience in Economy has gone through the floor.
I've said it before but I'll say it again: the Asian network needs a rethink. A teacup-sized cinnamon scroll for breakfast in a cabin not updated for the last decade on a red-eye flight is just not on.
To be honest I prefer it - its a relatively short flight back from those destinations and I hated getting woken up 2-3hrs out just so they could serve breakfast at 3/4am SYD time.
I much prefer maximising my sleep as I am often working the day that I land.
Have also never found airline hot breakfasts to be particularly appetizing on any airline.
What I would like to see is a two-option service, much like the supper service after takeoff in SIN, where we can either opt for a 'hot breakfast' (probably a plastic omelette and plastic sausages), or an honestly-named 'continental breakfast' (or 'lighter option' or whatever).
Why? I'm paying for a full-service experience, albeit one in Economy. Still, if I'm allowed to choose either Chicken in Mushroom and Tomato Sauce or Seared Fish in Kung Po Sauce for supper, why am I not being offered a decent breakfast?
For me, the argument is that some people want a bigger breakfast, and some don't. I'm quite annoyed because I personally like having a good breakfast - in the end I didn't end up eating anything between the pitiful 'cafe breakfast' and my lunch in Sydney, so that left a few hours of irritation.
At the end of the day, there should be some decent food on offer. Hell, if you want to cut waste, extend the computing system to Economy and offer a request system to opt for a bigger breakfast (where if you don't request a big breakfast, you get the bloody cinnamon scroll).
As a final note, I shall point out I too was maximising my sleep - I skipped supper. (Of course, I'd been in the SIN lounge, so that's a first world problem.)
Bingo ... you got it in one. We want choice, allow us that. It is full service NOT budget. We pay enough to be up front. We are the ones keeping them in business. Give us the service we are entitled to.
I have to agree with you... I prefer it too. I have rarely had a decent breakfast on any airline and the thought of reheated eggs after not enough sleep on a short-ish flight is off putting. I have always found the cafe breakfasts perfectly suitable and taste fine.
See, this is my problem. I'm honestly not against an express continental breakfast, but the cinnamon scroll was half the size of a Marc Newson teacup. If I'm going to be woken up, it might as well be for something worthwhile.
Doesn't have to be eggs, but a decent croissant or muffin would be much appreciated.
Or offer two pastries on the tray or at least something else. I get what you mean... the idea is there but perhaps just needs to be a little more substantial.
Yes, that's exactly right! The core idea is right - an express continental breakfast. It's fast to serve, as it doesn't need to be heated. It's cheaper to cater, and in-flight much faster to serve (so it can be done as near to arrival as possible, maximising sleep time).
Perhaps the choice between a decent-sized muffin and a decent-sized danish would be good, or perhaps a savoury and sweet choice - e.g. a ham/cheese/tomato toastie vs a banana spelt muffin. Get a better yogurt - I'd love to see some nice, thick Aussie yogurt. Introduce a bag of apple slices - it's not like fruit is alien to Singapore. Insert a prepacked cereal and milk - these are also available!
Shake it up. Vary it. Just for the love of god make it more than a one-bite cinnamon scroll.
747 service an absolute disgrace.,given what they charge let the pax daside what constutes food service.I will deside if i want sleep or eat food .... not QF,
Hi unfortunately watson is only telling half the story. Agree this wouldn't be a great look if it was the only meal served. Which it is not. A dinner service would also have been served and on a flight that can be as short as 6 and half hours - how much food do you want to consume? And how much waste do you want to be carted off the plane? Cost pressures has meant that any airline will only serve catering that minimizes waste. This is just not Qantas.
Mate, for starters the flight is almost never less than 7:30 long. It has a block time of 7:55. My particular QF 6 last night/this morning was still late by a few minutes, so barring massive tailwinds (which are not unknown, but are not common either - my dad used to cop SQ221s of just 7:00 or so) the flight is long enough to justify a second meal service.
I ignored the 'supper' service - don't ask me why it's not called dinner! - simply because I didn't eat it, having been a very happy man in the SIN lounge all evening. However, while I concede that the first meal is adequate, the level of cost-cutting performed on the breakfast service has sunk to unacceptable.
Mate, I'm all for trimming the fat, but now we're hacking out the meat.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
[QFi] The 'cafe breakfast' is appalling.
Seriously, who came up with this idea of the 'cafe breakfast' on the overnight SIN-Australia flights? It's a tiny pastry, a small yogurt and a poor juice. It is in fact so poor an offering that the breakfast tray on Cityflyer is a more appealing and substantial meal.
Please indulge my comparison. On QF 6 (SIN-SYD) this morning, I received a tiny and terribly dry cinnamon scroll, a sweet Meiji strawberry yogurt and a generic orange juice in a sealed-top cup.
The last time I got a Cityflyer tray breakfast, we got: one small muffin, one bowl of muesli, one bottle of milk, one cup of juice and the option to to take a fresh apple. Much better.
The international 'cafe breakfast' ex-SIN is nothing short of disgraceful. Sorry, but not sorry.
11sjw
11sjw
Member since 11 Mar 2012
Total posts 160
Seems like the race to the bottom is on!
Ryan K
Ryan K
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 30 May 2013
Total posts 158
That is a disgraceful offering for a "full service" airline. I am hating seeing what is going on at QF, it's nothing short of appalling.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
You know, comparing my Qantas experiences from late 2011, early 2012, mid 2013 and now early 2014, I must say that while the lounges have improved tremendously, the cabin experience in Economy has gone through the floor.
I've said it before but I'll say it again: the Asian network needs a rethink. A teacup-sized cinnamon scroll for breakfast in a cabin not updated for the last decade on a red-eye flight is just not on.
MikeM
MikeM
qantas
Member since 18 Oct 2012
Total posts 71
Its a disgrace right - that why i don't eat on over night economy flights like QF 6.
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 835
To be honest I prefer it - its a relatively short flight back from those destinations and I hated getting woken up 2-3hrs out just so they could serve breakfast at 3/4am SYD time.
I much prefer maximising my sleep as I am often working the day that I land.
Have also never found airline hot breakfasts to be particularly appetizing on any airline.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
OK, I'll bite (no pun intended).
What I would like to see is a two-option service, much like the supper service after takeoff in SIN, where we can either opt for a 'hot breakfast' (probably a plastic omelette and plastic sausages), or an honestly-named 'continental breakfast' (or 'lighter option' or whatever).
Why? I'm paying for a full-service experience, albeit one in Economy. Still, if I'm allowed to choose either Chicken in Mushroom and Tomato Sauce or Seared Fish in Kung Po Sauce for supper, why am I not being offered a decent breakfast?
For me, the argument is that some people want a bigger breakfast, and some don't. I'm quite annoyed because I personally like having a good breakfast - in the end I didn't end up eating anything between the pitiful 'cafe breakfast' and my lunch in Sydney, so that left a few hours of irritation.
At the end of the day, there should be some decent food on offer. Hell, if you want to cut waste, extend the computing system to Economy and offer a request system to opt for a bigger breakfast (where if you don't request a big breakfast, you get the bloody cinnamon scroll).
As a final note, I shall point out I too was maximising my sleep - I skipped supper. (Of course, I'd been in the SIN lounge, so that's a first world problem.)
crosscourt
crosscourt
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge
Member since 01 Sep 2011
Total posts 96
Bingo ... you got it in one. We want choice, allow us that. It is full service NOT budget. We pay enough to be up front. We are the ones keeping them in business. Give us the service we are entitled to.
AusFlyer
AusFlyer
Member since 10 Mar 2011
Total posts 137
I have to agree with you... I prefer it too. I have rarely had a decent breakfast on any airline and the thought of reheated eggs after not enough sleep on a short-ish flight is off putting. I have always found the cafe breakfasts perfectly suitable and taste fine.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
See, this is my problem. I'm honestly not against an express continental breakfast, but the cinnamon scroll was half the size of a Marc Newson teacup. If I'm going to be woken up, it might as well be for something worthwhile.
Doesn't have to be eggs, but a decent croissant or muffin would be much appreciated.
AusFlyer
AusFlyer
Member since 10 Mar 2011
Total posts 137
Or offer two pastries on the tray or at least something else. I get what you mean... the idea is there but perhaps just needs to be a little more substantial.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
Yes, that's exactly right! The core idea is right - an express continental breakfast. It's fast to serve, as it doesn't need to be heated. It's cheaper to cater, and in-flight much faster to serve (so it can be done as near to arrival as possible, maximising sleep time).
Perhaps the choice between a decent-sized muffin and a decent-sized danish would be good, or perhaps a savoury and sweet choice - e.g. a ham/cheese/tomato toastie vs a banana spelt muffin. Get a better yogurt - I'd love to see some nice, thick Aussie yogurt. Introduce a bag of apple slices - it's not like fruit is alien to Singapore. Insert a prepacked cereal and milk - these are also available!
Shake it up. Vary it. Just for the love of god make it more than a one-bite cinnamon scroll.
reno
reno
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 20 Sep 2013
Total posts 317
Try QF 52 SIn/BNE,
747 service an absolute disgrace.,given what they charge let the pax daside what constutes food service.I will deside if i want sleep or eat food .... not QF,
whipper
whipper
Member since 17 Feb 2012
Total posts 50
Hi unfortunately watson is only telling half the story. Agree this wouldn't be a great look if it was the only meal served. Which it is not. A dinner service would also have been served and on a flight that can be as short as 6 and half hours - how much food do you want to consume? And how much waste do you want to be carted off the plane? Cost pressures has meant that any airline will only serve catering that minimizes waste. This is just not Qantas.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
Mate, for starters the flight is almost never less than 7:30 long. It has a block time of 7:55. My particular QF 6 last night/this morning was still late by a few minutes, so barring massive tailwinds (which are not unknown, but are not common either - my dad used to cop SQ221s of just 7:00 or so) the flight is long enough to justify a second meal service.
I ignored the 'supper' service - don't ask me why it's not called dinner! - simply because I didn't eat it, having been a very happy man in the SIN lounge all evening. However, while I concede that the first meal is adequate, the level of cost-cutting performed on the breakfast service has sunk to unacceptable.
Mate, I'm all for trimming the fat, but now we're hacking out the meat.