Qantas upgrades business class breakfast on flights from Asia

By David Flynn, May 20 2019
Qantas upgrades business class breakfast on flights from Asia

Qantas is upgrading its business class breakfast on overnight flights from Asia, although the changes are less about adding a raft of new dishes and more about how breakfast is served, in order to maximise rest for red-eye travellers.

Here's a rundown of the Qantas' revised and revamped business class breakfast proposition, which is now offered on overnight flights from Hong Kong, Jakarta and Denpasar to Sydney and which the airline says will be rolled out to other overnight services from Asia to Australia "over the coming months."

Upon boarding their overnight Qantas flight from Asia to Australia, business class passengers will once again be given a breakfast menu card to fill out.

This is along the same lines as the cards issued for longer-distance international flights – the current breakfast card for the Hong Kong-Sydney QF118 is included in the sidebar.

Breakfast is served.... The revised breakfast menu on QF118 (HKG-SYD) is part of Qantas' breakfast overhaul for flights from Asia to Australia

Breakfast is served...

The revised breakfast menu on QF118 (HKG-SYD) is part of Qantas' breakfast overhaul for flights from Asia to Australia

The full breakfast is admittedly not as exhaustive as some passengers may wish for – it's basically the original 'cafe breakfast' with a more substantial item such as a bacon and egg brioche – and is served around 90 minutes before landing.

The express option covers just one breakfast item and one drink, and is served 60 minutes before landing.

No more trolley meal service

Those breakfasts will now be served directly from the galley to each passenger rather than from a cart.

This is intended to not only reduce noise but also means the cabin lights don't all need to be turned on, so that there's less likelyhood of waking passengers who would prefer to skip breakfast and maximise their sleep (or just choose the lighter express breakfast option).

Meals on overnight flights from Asia to Australia have generally posted a challenge for Qantas, especially on relatively short trips to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from Singapore (around seven hours) and Hong Kong (nine hours).

The airline has long encouraged passengers to take their dinner in the airport lounge rather than on the flight, so that they can go to sleep as soon as possible.

However, breakfast is either something to be skipped in the name of maximum snooze time, or partaken at the expense of 1-2 hours' kip.

What's your current take on Qantas' business class breakfast on overnight flights from Asia to Australia, and how could it be improved?

David

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

20 Sep 2017

Total posts 9

Hi David I am not sure but you may have the wrong flight number for the Hong Kong Sydney Flight . Is it QF 118 not 117.

When you're competing against the Asian carriers, and charging more, QF needs to seriously up its game. This is an economy meal dressed up on plates rather than a flimsy box. I know people who'd prefer to fly SQ, TG etc with a stopover and a 10% difference in fare than fly QF.

10% try 25- 30%!!

I travelled in Business on QF yesterday and it was supper in a box. McDonalds presents better

20 May 2019

Total posts 1

I was on the overnighter ex Beijing? or HK , and scored this new breakfast..Brioche...It made Maccas egg and bacon Mcmuffin look and taste 3*Michelin. Service was perfunctory. the Brioche was COLD and handed full menu for flight only to be told that it was not available on that leg. Flew Emirates ex Singers two weeks ago, Service impeccable! Qantas needs to lift its game A LOT. You can't trade on safety and loyalty. They need a real time app that allows complaints to be made immediately. I made a complaint after the flight, after that, then having my Sydney -Hobart leg cancelled. then moved to Jetstar in the other terminal then moved back to Qantas. NO FUN when you've only had 4 hours to rest.

02 Jun 2016

Total posts 8

I had similar with HK/ Syd Dinner advertised Chinese Roast Duck - what came out looked and tasted like something they dragged out from bottom of deep fryer somewhere!! Took stewards suggestions of Fish instead - came out smelling of Ammonia!! Really one wonders how Neil Perry got this Gig still!!??!!

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

01 Mar 2012

Total posts 177

I think that breakfast looks really well put together. after sleeping all night in an aircraft it looks nice and fresh to get you going.

20 Jan 2017

Total posts 45

This is business class?


Not going to lie, I'd be pretty disappointed getting this in J after a 8-9 hour flight. Not to mention if i had a full day of work ahead of me would prefer something a little bit more hearty.

Would be expecting something like this in economy.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

24 Aug 2011

Total posts 785

I wonder what would happen if you ticked all five breakfast options.

19 Jun 2012

Total posts 30

Doesn't everyone do that?

...well, not all five options, but certainly the fruit, the muesli and something else is the way I go.

Usually get everything I put on the card.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Apr 2012

Total posts 317

I’m personally not a big breakfast person so this suits me quite well. Slept through the breakfast service last time and when I awoke, the Cabin crew noticed and still had time to offer me a brioche and breakfast drink, which went down very well. Really don’t enjoy being waken just to have a table set up, then wait for a while until the trolley comes down past...

Lmc
Lmc

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Nov 2018

Total posts 104

Im the same, id rather sleep on the 5-6 hour red eye from Jakarta than eat. Very happy with some dinner in the lounge / airport then some cheese and whiskey on the plane...sleep and a coffee 40 mins out... that being said everyone is different!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Sep 2018

Total posts 16

I like the return of the menu card. On my recent return from Singapore, I had dinner in the lounge, juice and yogurt for breakfast onboard, and then into the domestic business lounge on arrival to freshen up and finish my breakfast.

16 Jan 2018

Total posts 6

I think flights from PVG and PEK always had the breakfast menu card?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

26 Oct 2013

Total posts 32

Yes, I was in Business from PVG 6 weeks ago and not only was there a card but a full cooked berakfast

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Jan 2017

Total posts 40

I think someone in QF HQ who making these decisions need to spend some time flying on Qatar. QR offer such an impeccable service which includes ‘dine on demand’ so there’s no need to be filling BF cards.

ACM
ACM

05 Sep 2017

Total posts 11

Returned on QF38 in Business on Sunday morning. The brioche mentioned in the article was tasteless and cold in the middle and the fruit salad far from fresh. As others have noted it is a sad and non-competitive offering on overnight Business Class flights from Asia.

14 Dec 2015

Total posts 17

Meals on overnight flights from Asia to Australia have generally posted a challenge for Qantas, especially on relatively short trips to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane..................."

What's the 'challenge '

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Apr 2012

Total posts 317

I think the issue is offering both a "supper" service and then a "breakfast service". Passengers expect both but it's a juggling act between the business traveller who may want to optimise rest and minimise disruption on board, while the leisure traveller may want to have the full service.

22 Aug 2015

Total posts 9

Meanwhile, on Virgin Australia's Hong Kong-Sydney service, there's a much more substantial breakfast option (pictures from a review I saw on a different website).


VA might have their shortcomings compared to QF, but they do get the inflight service right.


For those flights what they are doing is ideal and allows the busy business traveller to get max shut eye and a quick meal


Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

20 May 2019

Total posts 8

For what you pay for BC it really is a disappointment to be served the QF BF. The entire menu's should be overhauled and a decent offering be provided. Most travelers know well in advance when they're flying so why not give an option. I know there's limitations but surely something fresher and more healthy can be offered.

bsb
bsb

21 Jul 2011

Total posts 90

I flew from CGK a few weeks ago and got some sort for menu card which I ordered from and it was less than average so I left it. I can’t even remember what it was other than inedible. I’m all about getting onboard, changing into PJs and sleeping as long as possible, I’d rather have nothing onboard and have a decent arrivals lounge, but as I transferred to Mel I ended up eating in the domestic J lounge but if I ended in SYD I’d be pretty grumpy. That said (and since they cannot help themselves and wake you up) they need to up their game and feed us something decent which anyone who has flown on QR will tell you is quite possible. Oh and dine on demand for every meal, QF is just lazy in that respect.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

01 Nov 2016

Total posts 129

An opportunity presents itself for Qantas to get this right. Agree with many that sleep is the best. A coffee and a light side just is my choice to keep the hunger intact.

01 Apr 2017

Total posts 8

Sadly First class is no better than this sub standard offering. No vegemite is Un Australian. Qantas is embarrassing.

Joe
Joe

03 May 2013

Total posts 670

Qantas does food pathetically. If they spent more on the quantity and quality for what is charged, namely in the premium cabins, and stop the BS about rockpool, healthy eating, sydney uni pissweak studies etc etc they might comes close to a premium service. Just give people what they pay for Qantas! Qantas spends sooo much time and resource on how to use spin and dribble on a reduced service it's laughable and I don't think anyone is that gullible. AJ needs to book a business class ticket on Qatar ASAP!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Jan 2015

Total posts 71

The Qantas breakfast on Asia and even Honolulu flights in Business is very disappointing. That Virgin menu works for me. Im not a fan of Bircher muesli or strange odd cold pressed juices. Cornflakes, toast/pastry coffee and I'm happy. Self confessed lover of the AIR NZ smoothies on offer at breakfast.


The cafe breakfast by any other name...

This really is embarrassing. Have moved to SQ long ago.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Jul 2011

Total posts 1378

For me I'm generally quite happy with breakfast offered. Give me a decent cafe breakfast and coffee once I'm home and showered, and more sleep on the plane anyday.


That said not everyone is looking to sleep on that flight (eg. Coming from Europe and in a different timezone) or may have not have had a chance to eat in the lounge due to a short connection, or are going straight to an early meeting, so I do think Qantas needs to be able to cater to these people where required.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

16 Mar 2016

Total posts 4

Everyone is raving about the Qatar breakfast. Why?

I flew back last week and it was OK but not memorable.

Has anyone tried BA lately. I flew LHR-Syd in Club and all the meals including breakfast were better than any I have had on any airline in years including a recent 1st in Qatar. Seats/bed still the worst but when they get the need beds to match the food offering then Qantas will be at the bottom

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge

01 Sep 2011

Total posts 414

QF really needs to do done thing about the breakfast on the Asia overnight flight. It is very sub standard. For what you pay, its shocking.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 May 2019

Total posts 1

I tried the new breakfast menu on QF118 a couple of weeks ago. Nice to be given a choice of an express option. The brioche bacon roll and fruit salad and yogurt were acceptable, easy to eat within a short time, but nothing special. Like most other commenters I’ve found the overall food quality and plating/presentation of QF business class to be getting worse over the last few years.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

20 Dec 2016

Total posts 15

Want a better breakfast and superior service fly Virgin, The Qantas menu looks sad by comparison.

12 Jul 2012

Total posts 3

I dont pay for QF Asia flights, why would you when everyone else have better everything and are cheaper!


Spy
Spy

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

13 Aug 2016

Total posts 15

You guys in Sydney are worried about the breakfast? At least you get direct flights. Asia flights from Melbourne are few and far between, and in the case of Bangkok, non-existent unless you want to fly Jetstar. Thai have a great food service.

Spy
Spy

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

13 Aug 2016

Total posts 15

I was referring to Qantas flights of course

28 Jan 2019

Total posts 6

Qantas needs to lift their game in all aspects not just breakfast especially when you compete with the top 2 airlines in the world in that sector - Singapore Air and Cathay Pacific . Flew with Qantas business class 4 times in the last 2 years all ended up with disappointment . First flight SYD -SIN I was told by a rude flight attendant that I was not allowed to to have fruit & cheese with my ice cream desert unless there was some left over . On the flight back from Hong Kong to SYD , I was told that the Asian option for breakfast was ran out despite sitting in the second row of the business class cabin .I was told by an apologetic flight attendant that they only allowed to carry 4 Asian breakfasts for 28 business class passenger Flying from an Asian port this decision was either plain stupid or ignorant by the Cabin manager . We flew Singapore Air last summer and love it so we will fly Singapore Air again this summer to Asia. Qantas please take note that you have lost another premium paying customer

12 Apr 2017

Total posts 12

I would much rather sleep. Why can't people eat in the lounge first? The constant clanging of cutlery while people are trying to sleep is so annoying. Ear plugs just don't block it out enough

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Dec 2016

Total posts 22

Qantas needs to up its game in the breakfast dept I find if I eat in the lounge sleep then wake up 2hr or so from touchdown I'm hungry especialy as I have a 3 hr trip to get home For the cost of a J ticket I want a bit more than a tepid egg and bacon roll!!!

02 Mar 2018

Total posts 6

I stopped flying Qantas J from Asia a few yrs ago now when they stopped serving the full breakfast like the other airlines do. I think QF were just being cheap & lazy , especially encouraging eating meals in the lounge instead of onboard under the guise of maximizing your rest.

Ma
Ma

24 Mar 2016

Total posts 5

Over 50% of the comments posted in the last two days was negative! May I ask how many people actually paid their tickets out of their own pocket? I think this may change the comments! I think the breakfast served on QF128 HK to Syd has always been good and adequate. I always enjoy it regardless of what classes of cabins I am in.

20 May 2019

Total posts 5

Your comment holds water for those work trip customers, but I always pay my way. I do like eggs for brekkie, not just a breakfast on the run! It makes me sad that Qantas is letting itself down again, in the guise of an improvement.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 Feb 2017

Total posts 2

QF J breakfasts so much better than MU out of Shanghai. Menu card has been a constant.


Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Jan 2013

Total posts 10

Here is yesterday's business class options from CGK-SYD. This is supposed to be the new offering?

It was served 30 mins before landing at just after 6am.The crew cleared everything with just 15 minutes to go.

So the added rest component is very real.

And a full dinner was served after take off which is rather early in Jakarta.




20 May 2019

Total posts 5

^^ Awful. I don't do turnovers for breakfast. I am flying in three weeks and am not looking forward to this. I haven't learned the trick to sleeping for hours on a flight, so a nice brekkie as early as I wish is what I want. Eggs, juice, fruit salad. Wonder if I can smuggle some in?

Etihad - Etihad Guest

15 Jun 2019

Total posts 2

Unfortunately Qantas not even in the game when compared to other airlines. As if they don’t even want to try. Any middle eastern airline trumps the quality and variety of food. Example is the pretzel and nut combo packets for business class. I would like to see warmed good quality mixed nuts served. Wine selections usually very good. It’s the little things that put people off. Times up for Neil Perry.

20 May 2019

Total posts 5

So we flew a leg from HKG to SYD on Monday, arriving after 6am. The evening meal was good, but the brekkie was pretty ordinary. I only ever sleep 4 - 5 hrs and was looking for a coffee two hours till landing and in the galley I see the fruit salads and brioches lined up on the bench, ready to go. These workers like being pre prepared! It wasn't available to me then, so I waited. 'Everything' came on a trolley, cold I might add, and the egg hard, unappetising and boring. The fruit salad was nice of course. I miss the full breakfast.
I had connected from BA so the wonderful staff on this flight was appreciated, but the food was substandard.

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