Qantas unveils new menu weeks out from airline’s new Italy route

When it comes to having a meal at 30,000 feet — expectations aren’t always high. But this new menu completely changes the game.

Qantas have unveiled a little bit of Italy in the air, just weeks out from the airline’s major launch of direct flights from Australia to Rome.

The launch of the new route out of Sydney and via Perth will take off on Saturday 25 June. Passengers seated in business class from today will be treated to a taste of Italy in the sky, with regional recipes and Italian classics on the menu.

The new business lounge and in-flight menu coincides with Festa della Repubblica and each dish was curated by Neil Perry.

Qantas have announced a new in-flight menu. Picture: Saeed KHAN / AFP.

Mr Perry, the airline’s Creative Director of Food, Beverage and Service, said the new menu will see passengers enjoying Italian classics such as buffalo mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes and basil; and salumi with bocconcini, semi dried tomatoes, olives and pecorino-crushed peas within selected Qantas First and Business lounges throughout this

month.

The Business Class in-flight menu will feature regional recipes such as spaghettini with prawns, garlic, chilli, slow roasted cherry tomatoes and pangrattato along with traditional tiramisu

“I first travelled to Italy in 1984 and immediately understood why people fall in love with simple Italian food,” Mr Perry said, noting the new menu is inspired by his previous travels to Italy.

The new menu coincide with the new Qantas flights to Rome.

“Italians live and breathe seasonality and freshness, so it was important when designing these menu items that we respected and celebrated the traditions of the cuisine and Rome’s deep history.

“Italian food is so much more than pizza and pasta, although they do both brilliantly, but they celebrate the hero ingredients of their country including citrus, olives, fresh seafood and tomatoes.”

Qantas announced the launch of direct flights to Rome in December, with three return Sydney-Perth — Rome flights per week scheduled to meet the demand of European summer demand.

The new flight will cut more than three hours off the current fastest travel time to Rome using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with cabins designed specifically for long haul travel.

At the time of announcing the route, which will launch on June 25, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said strong travel demand since borders reopened had given the airline confidence to explore new destinations.

The menu contains new Italian dishes.

The new menu is now on select flights and in business class lounges.

“We’ve seen amazing demand on our direct service from Perth to London and on our new services to Delhi from Melbourne and Sydney,” he said in December.

“Italy is the largest market for us in continental Europe for people visiting family and friends from Australia and we think customers will love flying direct to one of the world’s great cities to spend time with loved ones or enjoy Italy.”

Qantas Italian Lounge menu highlights include:

• Neil Perry’s fettuccine Bolognese with Parmigiano Reggiano

• Mascarpone tartlet with prosecco jelly and Valencia orange

Qantas Perth – Rome in-flight Business Class menu highlights include:

• Zucchini and basil soup with parmesan crouton

• Plant Based Dining – caramelised potato gratin with peas, mushrooms and roasted fennel

• Spaghettini with prawns, garlic, chilli, slow roast cherry tomatoes and pangrattato

• Tiramisu

Qantas Rome – Perth in-flight Business Class menu highlights include:

• Bucatini all’ Amatriciana

• Grilled fish with peperonata, pine nuts and basil

• Mozzarella bufala, finiocchiona salumi, anchovy, artichokes, olives, marinated red capsicum with warm focaccia