Qatar Airways call their economy class dining experience Quisine. First unveiled in April 2019, it promised to increase food portions by 25 to 50 per cent, along with things such as a pre-dinner drinks option on flights over five hours.
The other important area the airline worked on is the reduction of single-use plastics. Clearly this is topical at the moment and will continue to be, so any reduction in this area is important.
A Plastic Extravaganza
Keeping food hygienic prior to being served is why there are food safety guidelines. However, does everything need to be encased in plastic? American Airlines seems to think so, judging by the below meal served to me on a flight from Dublin to Chicago in 2018.
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- It’s a total face palm for American Airlines!
At the time, I referred to “all the plastic ever created being on one tray” as it was truly surprising. I have showed you this to illustrate how not to do it.
A Previous Qatar Airways Economy Class Meal
The previous economy class meal tray featured three little square bowls, a plastic cup of orange juice, a tub of yoghurt and the usual main dish. It is not as bad as the American Airlines example, but as you will see, it has been refined.
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- Perhaps more elements than is required?
One thing that I do think is a good thing is the metal cutlery. There really is no need for plastic disposable knives, forks and spoons to be issued in this day and age.
Quisine Delivers On Its Promises
Viewing the new Quisine meal shows an immediate reduction in the amount of plastic, plus the promised increased portion sizes. It looks more refined all round as well.
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- Quisine menu Dublin to Doha
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- The tray on arrival
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- Leek and onion soufflé with hash browns, creamed spinach and tomato Provençale
First of all, the yoghurt is no longer in its plastic tub sitting in a plastic bowl. Both it and the fruit portion are notably larger, plus the redundant third plastic bowl is gone.
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- A menu for Doha to Dublin
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- Another breakfast is served
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- Jeera aloo with vegetable tikki grilled paratha
Also, there is no longer a plastic tub of juice included with the meal. The crew pour whatever you like from a selection of juices, including tomato, pineapple and orange.
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- Celebrated on the Qatar Airways Instagram account
All airlines should be at this level when it comes to an economy class meal from an environmental perspective. Staying away from the American Airlines plastic extravaganza as shown earlier in this article is a must.
Overall Thoughts
Happily the Quisine dining experience is also one filled with taste. Both breakfast meals I received were very tasty, particularly the Indian vegetarian meal on the return. I really like the generous portions of fruit and yoghurt too, as nothing is worse than an airline coming across as stingy with the food.
Qatar Airways has the world’s best business class, and it is great to see they don’t slouch when it comes to economy class either. Long may it continue!
Have you tried the new Quisine economy class meals on Qatar Airways? What did you think? Thank you reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image by Qatar Airways.
I have recently experienced Qatar Airways’s Economy Quisine meals and I must say that they are now the best in the industry in terms of quality, quantity and presentation. That with beautiful cabin interior decor and very charming and well turned out flight attendants mean you will have a fantastic inflight experience. Did I mention Godiva chocolate with tea/coffee and the near perfect IFE?
I agree, the cabin crew are some of the best in the business. They’re well trained and you want for nothing really, which I really love. They never disappear… also, the toilets are always so clean for the entire flight. They do a wonderful job! Thanks for the comment.
That meal actually looks delicious. Did it taste as good as it looks?
Yes, it was fantastic! I was quite pleased with the meal all round, really.
Nice too know. Ive been saving my cc points too fly first class to the USA. I do tend to prefer not flying via the ME, only because the timing of flights leaving India is quite horrendous.
Qatar is making me rethink the wisdom of my decision more and more each day
I think it’s definitely worth considering flying via the Middle East, regardless of the flight times. Or, just book a flight with good times on another airline, then fly the airline you want out of the Middle East hub. See what happens! Hopefully you get to try them sometime.