Qatar Airways is in the process of rolling out its new “Pre-Select Dining Service”. And it’s pretty similar to a lot of the programmes that are out there.
The idea is that you select your meal before you fly, and when you’re in the air – your pre-selected meal arrives, and everything is good.
Let’s go through the press blurb first.
The service is being introduced on selected flights to Europe, North and South America, Australia and New Zealand.
The infographic from Qatar Airways for pre-select dining – Image, Qatar Airways
Passengers travelling in First and Business Class be able to pre-select one main course from the à la carte on-board menu, as far as 14 days in advance and up to 24 hours before take-off. This is in addition to the existing Dining-on-Demand service already available for First and Business Class passengers.
Passengers can pre-select a premium class meal, by logging into ‘My Trips’ on the Qatar Airways website and choose from the seasonal menu available on their flight. Meals can also be ordered through the Qatar Airways mobile app for those who use it.
A key point is that this service will initially radiate from departures from Doha, and will expand to other regions later during the year.
Well – that’s the theory. How’s the practice? It doesn’t start well for Qatar Airways who spammed by inbox with around 15 times that I was eligible for this service
Seriously? 15 times??? Have you got anything better to do Qatar Airway email server?
So, with a click-through, I’m taken through to my PNR (with no validation – nothing like a second challenge to get into a booking, so top marks for security there Qatar Airways).
Inside the booking, I see this wondrous line.
So lets look at my legs. Knowing that this radiates from Doha only, I’m not expecting anything much from Stockholm-Doha or Singapore-Doha.
And as expected for the first leg between Stockholm and Doha…
Nada.
So, there’s a bit of expectation for the Doha to Singapore leg… and based on the image above, you get no choices…
You want to select pre-flight meal between Doha and Singapore. That’s cute.
So.. 15 invitations to select food. Hmm. Again, for the Singapore to Doha leg, I’m expecting five shades of nothing… and I get that in spades.
Nah. No pre-selection from Singapore.
So, 15 messages telling me to select my meal… would it be on the Doha to Stockholm leg?
And lo! Let there be Pre-Select Dining!
Clicking the link comes up with options you can have on this fight. I’ve got four selections… and plenty of time to decide.
None of these options are really grabbing me if I’m honest.
Services like this are great for those who love to plan ahead and know every detail of their journey. I’m a bit more of a freer soul, and love a bit of a surprise occasionally. However, services like this need to be implemented properly, and consistently across their network
From the initial headline, you’d expect this to be rolled out far and wide from Doha, but there seems to be a lot of work to be done to extend this service.
Also remember – services like this are dressed up as a timesaver for the passenger – in fact, you’re saving the airline money as they have can reduce the amount of catering options and meals to load – so it works out rather well for the airline.
But will it work? I’ll be able to tell in a few weeks…
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