Airline Food - Is Requesting Second Helpings OK?

Irate Monk on 29/09/2017 - 23:01

Being a moderately heavy foodie, on a recent round trip involving nine aircraft changes, I was famished most of the time.
I really relished the meals served on board, especially on the LATAM flights.

On the nearly 13 hours QANTAS flight from SCL to SYD, they had choice of Pork, Beef, Seafood, and Chicken on the main meals' menu.
I wanted to eat all- and could have- one after the other :)

Though I wanted to ask for repeat serves, I didn't- for the sake of decorum.

Was I being too uptight?

What's your experience and advise?

All comments appreciated :)

Poll Options

  • 45
    Yes; ask and they will be happy to serve you repeats- all you can eat and drink.
  • 10
    Don't ask; you will be seen as a glutton and thrown out of the aircraft at 36,000 feet.
Travel

Comments

  • xoom on 29/09/2017 - 23:09
    +9

    I guess it can't hurt to ask. So long as you do so nicely. The worst they can say is no.

  • coxjon on 29/09/2017 - 23:33
    +2

    While it’s not “all you can eat”, surely if lots of people decline they won’t mind you taking a second?

  • amkssg on 29/09/2017 - 23:43

    You are entitled to have multiple meals. However, if I am correct (don't quote me on this), crew meals are also part of the meal inventory.
    Therefore, your extra meal might result in a flight attendant not having a meal.

    But it doesn't hurt to ask, considering that for long haul flights, there is a high chance of people rejecting meals.

    • Irate Monk on 30/09/2017 - 00:22
      +1

      If there are three meal choices for say- 300 passengers, surely they can't be carrying exactly 300/3=100 of each?
      They need carry more of each, in case the majority skews to opt for one rather than the others?

      The crew meals notwithstanding, plenty will be left over, especially considering the above gets added to the meals declined?

      • amkssg on 30/09/2017 - 00:35

        But it doesn't hurt to ask, considering that for long haul flights, there is a high chance of people rejecting meals.

        As mentioned.

        they can't be carrying exactly 300/3=100 of each

        They do carry a few spares. But remember that crew members and those that are served last do not really get a choice.
        Hypothetically, say there are 210 meals for 200 passengers and 8 crew (i.e. 2 spare meals). 98 chose chicken and 105 chose fish, then the crew is stuck with whatever is left. (I think)

        • Irate Monk on 30/09/2017 - 00:47

          Thanks!

        • RockyRaccoon on 30/09/2017 - 09:24

          98 chose chicken and 105 chose fish, then the crew is stuck with whatever is left. (I think)

          Yea sure…

          How would any passenger know if they were told.

          Sorry we are out of chicken, when the staff wanted the last chicken meal.

          Passenger rights dont include being able to audit the staff meal selection.

          At least that is what I was told by a friend in the business….

  • SydStrand on 29/09/2017 - 23:56
    +28

    Being a moderately heavy foodie

    You probably aren't a 'foodie' if you're asking for second helpings of airline food.

    • Irate Monk on 30/09/2017 - 00:46

      As per Cambridge English Dictionary a foodie is a person who loves food and is very interested in different types of food, i.e., a person who enjoys food for pleasure. So do other sources say.

      Yes; one could be a foodie even if -on occasion- they like the food served by an airline.

      And anyways, I wouldn't wager that they are invariably bad; though some think it's hip to bash all.

      Not all of us get to eat gourmet food all the time.
      Thanks for the comment nevertheless.

      • SydStrand on 30/09/2017 - 01:08
        +6

        And? Webster's defines foodie as 'a person having an enthusiastic interest in the preparation and consumption of fine foods' and that's the more common use of the word. Someone who merely 'enjoys food for pleasure' can also be described as a glutton.

        A plane isn't a buffet, it's there so you're not discomforted by hunger during a flight. If you treat it as an 'all you can eat and drink,' staff will refuse you, just like the guy slamming down free beers. If you had NINE changes, then you had time to buy food; you couldn't pack a 'just in case' sandwich if your one allocated meal didn't suffice?

        • Irate Monk on 30/09/2017 - 01:46
          -2

          And now, you may want to define "fine food". If so, please spare the snobbery.

          The definition has changed along with our more mature palates and willingness to explore beyond the culinary horizons of our parents and grandparents

          I liked some recent airline food; thus the original forum query on the appropriateness of asking for seconds. Of the airline food. Get it? Your sandwich suggestion is thus moot.

          Sorry if I got you agitated; don't get an indigestion :)
          Thanks!

        • SydStrand on 30/09/2017 - 02:14

          You asked if it was appropriate to ask for seconds, or maybe even fourths. I found it amusing that you described yourself as a 'foodie' in the same post. I also offered a suggestion: bring a snack which would obviate the potential faux pas.

        • Irate Monk on 30/09/2017 - 02:53
          -4

          I had wondered if it was appropriate to ask for such "repeats".
          Ask for fourths? I'll try and put it simpler.
          I wanted to ask means felt like doing so. This is actually short of going ahead and asking.

          And oh, easily amused? Happy for you.

          The purpose of the original query was to seek thoughts on if it was a faux pas; not to invite a suggestion to bring a sandwich assuming it would be so.

          But thanks for the entertaining tenacity.

    • mbck on 30/09/2017 - 12:04
      +4

      Op is a freebie foodie

  • CheapskateQueen on 30/09/2017 - 00:03
    +1

    Mm they might not have enough to give you seconds of a main course but airlines like Qantas will definitely have non stop snacks if you ask. It definitely doesn't hurt to ask nicely for an extra main though.

    I'm sure theres plenty of people with extra big appetites that fly; surely they don't let them all go hungry?

  • theoracle30 on 30/09/2017 - 00:54
    +1

    On Qantas flights between Sydney and LA, I've often asked for the salad option as a second meal once I've finished my hot main meal.

    Most of the time they are happy to oblige, and the salads have been quite nice too (like chicken and quinoa). I chose salads because they don't need heating up or other special arrangements.

    Just one time they told me all the leftover food was already 'compacted' or disposed of in some way.

    • Irate Monk on 30/09/2017 - 01:15

      Sad to know all that food goes waste.

      Yes; QANTAS serves distinctively quality food.
      And Singapore Airlines continues to top the list of airline services, offering the best food experience in the skies. examples here and here

  • spychiatrist on 30/09/2017 - 01:02

    I'll wait for fatso to ask for seconds before I do.

    • Irate Monk on 30/09/2017 - 01:06

      That's prudent.

      But I could see none making that first move so that I could say "I would like one too".

      :)

  • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2017 - 01:08

    fly business and eat anytime

  • redwood on 30/09/2017 - 02:13

    I find myself always leaving the plane hungry when flying on a Qantas A330 vs a 747 even on the same route. AFAIK the second "meal" on the A330 is less substantial due to the galley downsize during the refurb. The refurbed A330s can no longer carry two full hot meals so even for dinner-breakfast or lunch-dinner time flights they can only shove you some light, undesirable pastries for the second meal.

    Qantas' catering portions have also gone less throughout the years, and I usually can't get a second serve due to full load on board. Urgh I usually ended up with some rather pathetic and unwanting rice crackers that Qantas stocks on every flight.

  • lookatthesizeofthat on 30/09/2017 - 05:28

    If the staff are in a good mood on long haul it can be just great. It's key to get on the good side of the staff and as long as you don't take the piss they will bring as much food and drink as you wish for.

    I flew on my Birthday and one lovely staff member bought me a cake and a glass of Champagne from first class to economy. It was really terrific!

  • pantsparty on 30/09/2017 - 06:21
    -3

    Were you flying in economy? If yes I’m surprised you would want more of their meals, they can be very average. If you were flying business class I’m sure you can have lots of meals. Out of curiosity are you overweight?

    • Irate Monk on 30/09/2017 - 10:10
      +1

      Yes; economy.
      No; not overweight.

  • bongom on 30/09/2017 - 07:57
    -2

    Buy 2 tickets?

  • Ocker on 30/09/2017 - 08:29
    +1

    Two aircraft meals at the one sitting - boy are you a glutton for punishment

  • Stewardo on 30/09/2017 - 09:08

    Over the years Qantas seem to have cut back on food to save money, you would expect to get fed every 6 hours but is often more than that on the ultra long haul flights, I’ve asked before and been told, “ I’ll get you my staff meal” which I sure is not true but is a polite way to make you feel bad for asking. You will often get snacks in the self service part of the A380 but these aren’t really a meal. I find the flight crew on Qantas longer flights to be more experienced and often more more jaded/grumpy and requests for them to do more work, don’t go down well. There was a documentary a couple years ago about Qantas long-haul flights, it was meant to be promotional show however the staff came across as passive aggressive and self absorbed, who were doing the public a favor.
    My wife normally packs extra food for these flights.

  • ItsMeAgro on 30/09/2017 - 09:51

    When I flew Sydney to LA there were large meals and regular snacks.

    If that wasn't enough food for you, your portion sizes are very wrong. (Hint: a healthy person should eat a lot less than your average restaurant portion each meal).

    Even if it doesn't make you obese, overeating can still kill you early (and give you the health problems of the elderly by middle age).

  • Donaldhump on 30/09/2017 - 10:53
    +1

    Ill ask for seconds, thirst sometimes, as along as everyone else has had some.

    I don't drink so I am offsetting against that

    Not like a cherry tomato and peace of watermelon is keeping this 100kg unit going

  • AlienC on 30/09/2017 - 19:01

    I guess I'd it's a long flight it wouldn't hurt to camel up on the first set of meals then decline the later meals.

  • lainey13 on 30/09/2017 - 20:48

    Just remember, airplane meals have a lot more calories than the equivalent down below. They have to add a lot of fat, sugar, salt etc to make them taste normal up in the air.
    Qantas food is good but really stingy since you no longer get a full tray. Generally if there are spares they're happy to give you more but wait until everyone's been served (but before trays are cleared).

  • trustnoone on 30/09/2017 - 23:57

    I'm another one for its okay to ask, just make sure everyones been served before hand, and just ask nicely if there is any spares you'd love to grab one. I couldn't see anything wrong with it.

  • Word on 02/10/2017 - 16:42
    +2

    Let me get this straight you're a foodie and like airplane food?

    Something does not seem right.

  • Derrick Crane on 06/10/2017 - 17:22
    +1

    Watch Oliver Twist; he didn't ask for more a second time.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join