OK I know there’s a lot going on in the world just now, however I’ve noticed an old Aussie friend has gone missing on the flying ‘roo recently with the disappearance of Bundaberg ginger beer from flights and lounges.
It’s my go-to inflight soft drink and I loved that Qantas was supporting this Aussie iconic beverage.
It could actually be a decision by Bundaberg Brewed Drinks given the global demand for their products.
If they shifted supply away from Qantas due to the pandemic and other channels are now consuming that supply capacity then its hard to make ginger beer "appear" now that Qantas is ramping up flights...
They committed $150m to expand their capacity in Bundy mid last year which isn't due to kick in until late this year (from memory).
Despite Bundy GB being available in a number of supermarkets in the UK, the first sip of one on a QF flight out of LHR gave me the feeling of being on my way home.
There is less choice of beverages all round and the main reason is because Qantas has reduced cabin crew by one flight attendant on all B737 and A330 aircraft and therefore has amended services to take this into account
Along with the ginger beer, no apple or tomato juice, no spirits, generally only one variety of beer, red wine and white wine.
Those readers in retail and hospitality industry might know but maybe Bundaberg ginger beer cannot maintain their previous pricing due to high local ginger wholesale prices and as a result QF decided not to offer Bundie in their service.
I wonder if the lounges still have dry ginger ale on offer (schwepps might import ginger syrup/concentrate as they are not so constrained in their source as Bundaberg?)
Just purely speculating without any shred of evidence of course
Those readers in retail and hospitality industry might know but maybe Bundaberg ginger beer cannot maintain their previous pricing due to high local ginger wholesale prices and as a result QF decided not to offer Bundie in their service.
I wonder if the lounges still have dry ginger ale on offer (schwepps might import ginger syrup/concentrate as they are not so constrained in their source as Bundaberg?)
Just purely speculating without any shred of evidence of course
Australia ginger prices have remained high since the start of the COVID pandemic. Prices are currently sitting at $4-600 per 10kg box depending on if its new or old season. Australian farmers have also put a block on imported ginger from the likes of Fiji etc which keeps prices high.
A bit off topic from the normal exectraveller, but a small insight to why some of us travel & the industries were in.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
Bring back the Bundaberg ginger beer!
flyme2themoon
flyme2themoon
Member since 23 Apr 2015
Total posts 23
OK I know there’s a lot going on in the world just now, however I’ve noticed an old Aussie friend has gone missing on the flying ‘roo recently with the disappearance of Bundaberg ginger beer from flights and lounges.
It’s my go-to inflight soft drink and I loved that Qantas was supporting this Aussie iconic beverage.
Is it just me that’s missing it?
Travellz
Travellz
Member since 26 Mar 2020
Total posts 55
I think due to Covid-19 risks associated with providing Bundaberg Ginger Beer inflight has caused it too temporarily be suspended (joking).
All Jokes aside - yes I second that - BRING BACK THE GINGER BEER QANTAS!!!!
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 456
It could actually be a decision by Bundaberg Brewed Drinks given the global demand for their products.
If they shifted supply away from Qantas due to the pandemic and other channels are now consuming that supply capacity then its hard to make ginger beer "appear" now that Qantas is ramping up flights...
They committed $150m to expand their capacity in Bundy mid last year which isn't due to kick in until late this year (from memory).
Morgan22
Morgan22
Member since 07 May 2021
Total posts 1
I agree - bring it back
Rezzadogs
Rezzadogs
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 12 Jan 2017
Total posts 8
Despite Bundy GB being available in a number of supermarkets in the UK, the first sip of one on a QF flight out of LHR gave me the feeling of being on my way home.
Plus one for getting it back onto flights.
mg391
mg391
Member since 08 Jul 2014
Total posts 2
There is less choice of beverages all round and the main reason is because Qantas has reduced cabin crew by one flight attendant on all B737 and A330 aircraft and therefore has amended services to take this into account
Along with the ginger beer, no apple or tomato juice, no spirits, generally only one variety of beer, red wine and white wine.
XWu
XWu
Member since 09 May 2020
Total posts 197
Okay this might be a long bow to draw but I wonder if it’s to do with ginger prices?
abc.net.au/news/rural/2021-02-07/covid-19-ginger-shortage-drives-prices-to-record-highs/13124794
Those readers in retail and hospitality industry might know but maybe Bundaberg ginger beer cannot maintain their previous pricing due to high local ginger wholesale prices and as a result QF decided not to offer Bundie in their service.
I wonder if the lounges still have dry ginger ale on offer (schwepps might import ginger syrup/concentrate as they are not so constrained in their source as Bundaberg?)
Just purely speculating without any shred of evidence of course
Lmc
Lmc
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 Nov 2018
Total posts 48
Originally Posted by XWu
Okay this might be a long bow to draw but I wonder if it’s to do with ginger prices?
abc.net.au/news/rural/2021-02-07/covid-19-ginger-shortage-drives-prices-to-record-highs/13124794
Those readers in retail and hospitality industry might know but maybe Bundaberg ginger beer cannot maintain their previous pricing due to high local ginger wholesale prices and as a result QF decided not to offer Bundie in their service.
I wonder if the lounges still have dry ginger ale on offer (schwepps might import ginger syrup/concentrate as they are not so constrained in their source as Bundaberg?)
Just purely speculating without any shred of evidence of course
Australian farmers have also put a block on imported ginger from the likes of Fiji etc which keeps prices high.
A bit off topic from the normal exectraveller, but a small insight to why some of us travel & the industries were in.