What Qantas’ significant investment in international economy meals will look like

Qantas is adding an extra item to its international economy meal service tray following a ‘significant investment’.

With new competition looming from the Virgin-Qatar partnership, Qantas has announced an upgrade of its international economy meals and new seasonal menus in premium cabins.

Economy travellers can now expect the addition of a “side” such as a salad, cheese and crackers or dessert to accompany their main meal on a newly designed underplate 30 per cent larger than the previous one.

The move will bring Qantas closer to competitors such as Qatar, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, which offer side salads and dessert with economy meals on long haul flights.

Qantas chief customer and digital officer Catriona Larritt said the change represented a significant investment in the airline’s international economy service, and followed testing on more than 60 flights.

“We’ve worked with our customers and our crew to get their feedback to develop this new service, which offers a wider range of dishes and sides to create a more generous dining experience,” said Ms Larritt.

“We know how much our customers love dining when they fly and that’s why we continuously invest in our menus each season.”

Qantas’ new look international economy meal service includes a “side” of cheese and crackers, or salad or dessert. Picture: Qantas

Previously Qantas economy passengers on international flights could expect a meal and bread, plus a beverage. Picture: Elyse Popplewell

To mark the start of autumn, passengers in business and first class could look forward to heartier dishes such as red wine-braised Wollemi duck, seared Humpty Doo barramundi and chermoula-crusted Margra lamb cutlets.

Even the cocktails served in Qantas first lounges were getting an autumnal twist, including a rhubarb spritz, and plum on sour.

Ms Larritt said they were proud to be able to offer customers more choice and “to share some of the finest Australian ingredients with the world”.

Not to be outdone, Qatar Airways is also adding more Australian flavours to its menu ahead of more daily flights out of Sydney, Brisbane and Perth from June.

Queensland finger limes, lemon myrtle, West Australian crayfish, Moreton Bay bug and Gippsland Angus beef are among the native ingredients being incorporated into in-flight meals.

The new flights, operated by Qatar on behalf of partner Virgin, have cleared all but one regulatory barrier, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission expected to grant final approval in coming weeks.

Originally published as What Qantas’ significant investment in international economy meals will look like