Unconfirmed: Cathay Pacific Introduces Buy-On-Board On Select Routes & Ends Dine-On-Demand Trials

Cathay Pacific is apparently moving away from complimentary meals on select short-haul and overnight medium-haul flights. The airline has been trialing dine-on-demand in business on select routes and has also come to a conclusion that this is not something for them or for their crews.

Cathay Pacific has faced tough trading conditions due to being squeezed by both the Chinese and the Middle Eastern airlines. Cathay has lost significant amount of money on fuel hedges that haven’t gone their way.

Here are the routes apparently affected by the Buy-On-Board:

“”Buy on board”” Menu will be introduced on all MNL, CEB, SGN and midnight sector on SIN, KIX, NRT, CGK and ICN

Conclusion

This Cathay “Secrets” (how come you call something secret that is in an open Facebook?), group is entertaining at times. Seems that it is run by a crew member/crew members that often get feedback from Flight Attendants.

There are often ramblings about their crew hotels and how long (or little time) they get to spend at the destinations (and how much the allowance is).

I absolutely hate when airlines don’t offer dine-on-demand and just feed you whenever they think you might feel hungry that is usually right after take off. In business, I usually prefer eating much later in the flight, if at all, and perhaps skipping one of the meals. This requires flexibility. The Cathay crews have hated the dine-on-demand service on trialed routes (more work for them).

It is really unfortunate if Cathay Pacific feels that they need to “cheapen” their full service brand and really go down this Buy-on-Board. I would assume that it would be adopted some Cathay Dragon routes as well.

Elite members that have lounge access are insulated to the extend that they can usually wine and dine before the flight if in economy and business as well.

I am actually taking one of these affected routes this morning in economy and planning to skip the service in economy (prefer sleeping/napping). Can always eat something when in Hong Kong around lunch time or pop into the Cathay’s arrivals lounge to have a look.

Why take all the fun out of the economy flying experience?