Qantas super-sizes in-flight meals

QANTAS says the five million international economy passengers travelling with it each year will soon be getting better, bigger meals.

IN a move that defies global trends, Qantas says the five million international economy ­passengers travelling with it each year will soon be getting better, bigger meals.

The airline is making meals 50 per cent bigger, introducing four meal choices and stream­lining its services to make delivery up to 30 minutes faster.

“It’s a big thing that people were asking for — more food on board the aircraft — particularly on the ultra-long sectors,’’ chief executive Alan Joyce said.

Crew will start serving drinks within five minutes of the seat-belt sign going off, and the meals will include a healthy option, “comfort’’ food and a meal inspired by the route, such as smoky barbecue beef on US flights. In-flight snacks will include pulled beef sliders, ice-cream bars, Maltesers and fruit.

The airline says the bigger meals will cost 40 per cent more to produce but it has made ­savings by eliminating waste, getting rid of cumbersome trays so trolleys can hold more items and ­introducing “butter-infused’’ bread rolls.

Mr Joyce said the airline believed the new offering would be the best economy dining experience of any airline in the world.

Qantas will begin rolling out the service on international routes later this month .