Pre-Ordering your meal on Qantas with Select on Q-Eat

Select on Q-Eat is Qantas’ online meal ordering service that allows passengers travelling Business, Premium Economy and Economy on selected routes to select their chosen meal in advance of the flight.

This is a fantastic option for those who want to be certain that their selected meal is available to them rather than taking whatever options are available when the cabin crew serve them especially for people who dislike certain meal choices.

In this article I take a look at how the system works for a flight from Manila to Sydney in Business Class.

Placing Your Order

If you’re travelling on an eligible flight the option to place an order will be available to you between 7 days and 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure of your flight.

If you wish to proceed you may choose the option “Select your inflight meal” where you’ll then be taken to a page where you can select the actual flight you would like to select the meal on.

Once you’ve selected the flight you’re provided with a number of options for during the flight:

1. Select on board This option allows you to select from the menu that’s available once you’re on board the aircraft. If you don’t order a meal, this will be the default option that’s available to you.
2. Select now This option is what the system is designed for. You can proceed to the next page and select from a variety of options that are available on this flight.
3. No Meal This option is designed for people who’d prefer to eat in the lounge (where available) prior to the flight and sleep on board. Our personal preference is to make this decision on board the flight otherwise there’s no guarantee that a meal will be available for you if you change your mind.

Meal Options

When you proceed with the “Select now” option you’re provided with a list of meal options available on this flight including in many cases an online exclusive - a special meal that’s only available if you order online in advance. Each of the meal choices also has a photograph, a description of the meal and a recommended wine to go with the meal should you be so inclined.

Once you’ve selected your options you can change it any time up until 24 hours prior to the flight.

Onboard Delivery

On this occasion I would have been equally happy with each of the options served on this flight and instead decided to see what my taste buds felt like on the day of travel. As a result I was unable to see how the meals were delivered onboard, however I would suspect that they’d be like any other special meal - marked as such on the catering manifest and served appropriately.

Conclusion

For those travellers who are fussy with what they eat or want more assurance that their desired meal option is available (with the usual caveat that meal choices aren’t guaranteed) I believe that this is a fantastic option. For those such as myself who aren’t as fussy then you may want to try your choices onboard.

I’d still be surprised if any travellers select the “no meal” option purely because of the risk of not receiving a meal should you decide that you’re hungry after all once meal service commences.