Author Topic: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?  (Read 36049 times)

Offline ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15618
  • Total likes: 7710
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #80 on: May 16, 2018, 07:00:51 PM »
The airlines.

So going back to the original statements.

I don’t think Borensteins will ever change, but if we can push for airlines to use caterers we do like, then there’s a chance things will get better.
Why wouldn't they if their customers demand it?

The airlines are probably pretty clueless when it comes to kosher meals, other than the little feedback they (don't) get from the flying public. Given the ELAL mentality, it's hard to see that Borenstein's changes based on demand. It is only once they feel the pain of losing customers, that they might change.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline aygart

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 17395
  • Total likes: 14333
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 14
    • View Profile
    • Lower Watt Energy Brokers
  • Programs: www.lowerwatt.com
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #81 on: May 16, 2018, 07:28:09 PM »
So going back to the original statements.
Why wouldn't they if their customers demand it?


The airlines are probably pretty clueless when it comes to kosher meals, other than the little feedback they (don't) get from the flying public. Given the ELAL mentality, it's hard to see that Borenstein's changes based on demand. It is only once they feel the pain of losing customers, that they might change.
This all explains why complaining about it can work. Customer service works that for each complaint there are a certain amount who are upset but didn't bother complaining. This makes a complaint campaign potentially very effective.
Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline shimino1

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 2411
  • Total likes: 133
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 10
    • View Profile
  • Location: israel
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #82 on: May 16, 2018, 07:55:55 PM »
I happen to be crazy in the sense that I actually like airplane food. There is something about the experience of unwrapping a kosher meal and tearing plastic wrap with your teeth that really makes the food delicious IMO.

I almost never BYOK and am happy with most KSML offerings. I once booked a flight with two stopovers, 10 hours before departure. Since I didn't think we would have KSML's on any of the flights, I brought my own meals. The first flight we eat the stuff we brought but the next two flights actually had KSML's so we ate that instead of the fresh, restaurant prepared food that we brought with us.  ;D

In any case some stuff is so vile that even I can't eat a single bite.
The worst meal we ever got was flying MLE-IST on TK. The outbound flight KSML was actually very good, especially the cheese plate that had 3 or 4 different cheeses that were delicious. The return leg was a shelf stored Stogol meal that doesn't need to be refrigerated and has a six month shelf life. I don't know what they put in there that makes it last so long without a freezer but whatever it is must be nuclear. In any case I got a salmon meal and upon opening the thing, a disgusting rancid, rotten smell filled the entire business class cabin. I actually took one bite after which I literally grabbed the arm of the nearest steward and asked him to throw out the meal immediately.

My best experience was on a three hour flight from SIN-HAN on SQ. Despite it being such a short flight, they offered both my wife and I a choice of either a fish meal or a vegetarian meal. I asked for both and they readily obliged. The meal started out with a huge entree course that would have counted for a meal in itself since it included a good sized portion of pickled salmon which was excellent. Both the Fish main and the vegetarian meal were delicious and well sized and for the first time on a plane I was stuffed to the point that I couldn't finish my meal.

Someone claimed earlier in this thread that no one will pick an airline because of their KSML quality. That is not exact. People do choose an airline due to their overall product quality and the meal is a big part of the soft product.

Offline shapsam

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2017
  • Posts: 3017
  • Total likes: 637
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #83 on: May 16, 2018, 08:20:59 PM »
I happen to be crazy in the sense that I actually like airplane food. There is something about the experience of unwrapping a kosher meal and tearing plastic wrap with your teeth that really makes the food delicious IMO.

I almost never BYOK and am happy with most KSML offerings. I once booked a flight with two stopovers, 10 hours before departure. Since I didn't think we would have KSML's on any of the flights, I brought my own meals. The first flight we eat the stuff we brought but the next two flights actually had KSML's so we ate that instead of the fresh, restaurant prepared food that we brought with us.  ;D

In any case some stuff is so vile that even I can't eat a single bite.
The worst meal we ever got was flying MLE-IST on TK. The outbound flight KSML was actually very good, especially the cheese plate that had 3 or 4 different cheeses that were delicious. The return leg was a shelf stored Stogol meal that doesn't need to be refrigerated and has a six month shelf life. I don't know what they put in there that makes it last so long without a freezer but whatever it is must be nuclear. In any case I got a salmon meal and upon opening the thing, a disgusting rancid, rotten smell filled the entire business class cabin. I actually took one bite after which I literally grabbed the arm of the nearest steward and asked him to throw out the meal immediately.

My best experience was on a three hour flight from SIN-HAN on SQ. Despite it being such a short flight, they offered both my wife and I a choice of either a fish meal or a vegetarian meal. I asked for both and they readily obliged. The meal started out with a huge entree course that would have counted for a meal in itself since it included a good sized portion of pickled salmon which was excellent. Both the Fish main and the vegetarian meal were delicious and well sized and for the first time on a plane I was stuffed to the point that I couldn't finish my meal.

Someone claimed earlier in this thread that no one will pick an airline because of their KSML quality. That is not exact. People do choose an airline due to their overall product quality and the meal is a big part of the soft product.
Wow!

Offline Hudi

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 525
  • Total likes: 10
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #84 on: May 16, 2018, 08:23:30 PM »
I'm also one of the crazy ones who actually likes airplane food  ;D

But does anyone know the caterer used for Intl flights out of SFO? Back in January I flew CI Premium Economy from SFO - TPE and had the absolute worst KSML (And I've had plenty of Stogel meals) but i was too tired to take pictures and forgot the name of the caterer.

I now have an SQ flight to HKG in First and I'm dreading being served from the same caterer.

Offline Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #85 on: May 17, 2018, 07:45:05 AM »
I happen to be crazy in the sense that I actually like airplane food. There is something about the experience of unwrapping a kosher meal and tearing plastic wrap with your teeth that really makes the food delicious IMO.

Me too! It is part of the experience :)

Offline ChAiM'l

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1823
  • Total likes: 51
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #86 on: May 17, 2018, 07:57:55 AM »
Me too! It is part of the experience :)
Me too. I actually go to high end restaurants and and ask them to cook my meal the way Borenstein does because I love it so much.

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67598
  • Total likes: 16909
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #87 on: May 17, 2018, 08:01:22 AM »
Me too. I actually go to high end restaurants and and ask them to cook my meal the way Borenstein does because I love it so much.
Me too! It is part of the experience :)
Is KSML abuse now part of #MeToo ???
;D
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15618
  • Total likes: 7710
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #88 on: May 17, 2018, 09:40:28 AM »
Is KSML abuse now part of #MeToo ???
;D

Some people seem to be exhibiting masochistic traits.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline shimino1

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 2411
  • Total likes: 133
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 10
    • View Profile
  • Location: israel
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #89 on: May 17, 2018, 09:48:20 AM »
Me too. I actually go to high end restaurants and and ask them to cook my meal the way Borenstein does because I love it so much.
ALOL.

Offline mrprez27

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2015
  • Posts: 541
  • Total likes: 16
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Nassau County
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #90 on: May 17, 2018, 11:32:06 AM »
Me too. I actually go to high end restaurants and and ask them to cook my meal the way Borenstein does because I love it so much.

I just laughed out loud ^golden

Offline yuneeq

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2013
  • Posts: 8611
  • Total likes: 3999
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 10
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NJ
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #91 on: May 17, 2018, 07:34:22 PM »
Visibly Jewish

Offline eliteflyer

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2008
  • Posts: 1517
  • Total likes: 60
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #92 on: May 22, 2018, 11:40:40 AM »
On board AA in J YYZ-MIA this morning, my pre-ordered Kosher menu selection was not loaded. the FA wasn't even apologetic about it. He just looked down at his manifest as he was taking orders and said "It says here "Kosher"...Not going to happen! Would you like the eggs or the oatmeal?"

Offline theyankel

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2013
  • Posts: 1123
  • Total likes: 73
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn, NY
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #93 on: May 22, 2018, 02:08:55 PM »
On board AA in J YYZ-MIA this morning, my pre-ordered Kosher menu selection was not loaded. the FA wasn't even apologetic about it. He just looked down at his manifest as he was taking orders and said "It says here "Kosher"...Not going to happen! Would you like the eggs or the oatmeal?"
i've gotten $100 voucher in the past when kosher was not provided after reserving

Offline nafnaf12

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 4192
  • Total likes: 251
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 79
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #94 on: May 22, 2018, 07:56:23 PM »
i've gotten $100 voucher in the past when kosher was not provided after reserving
on UA I have gotten $500
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #95 on: May 22, 2018, 09:47:43 PM »
on UA I have gotten $500

That is a great deal.

Offline Jo 08701

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 170
  • Total likes: 37
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New Jersey
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #96 on: May 23, 2018, 04:16:58 PM »
Talking about KSML,  An interesting point.
When I flew once from TLV,  the ksml from hamasbia had just a plain yogurt/leben. I noticed my neighbor had the regular meal and the yogurt was a flavored, with a heimish hechsher,   later after they finished serving I asked the FA if they have more from it and they gladly gave it to me.
Talk about discrimination against the frum community...
Why can't the kosher providers give something tasty?

Offline MeirS

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 2552
  • Total likes: 193
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #97 on: May 23, 2018, 04:53:59 PM »
Talking about KSML,  An interesting point.
When I flew once from TLV,  the ksml from hamasbia had just a plain yogurt/leben. I noticed my neighbor had the regular meal and the yogurt was a flavored, with a heimish hechsher,   later after they finished serving I asked the FA if they have more from it and they gladly gave it to me.
Talk about discrimination against the frum community...
Why can't the kosher providers give something tasty?
In which class?

Offline Jo 08701

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 170
  • Total likes: 37
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New Jersey
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #98 on: May 23, 2018, 05:21:32 PM »
Economy

Offline eliteflyer

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2008
  • Posts: 1517
  • Total likes: 60
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Kosher Meals - Can we do better?
« Reply #99 on: May 24, 2018, 06:51:15 PM »
On board AA in J YYZ-MIA this morning, my pre-ordered Kosher menu selection was not loaded. the FA wasn't even apologetic about it. He just looked down at his manifest as he was taking orders and said "It says here "Kosher"...Not going to happen! Would you like the eggs or the oatmeal?"
Received today:

Quote
Thank you for contacting American Airlines, my name is Josh and I am happy to address your concerns.

I'm very sorry that you weren't able to enjoy a meal aboard your recent flight because the special meal you ordered was not delivered. No doubt you weren't only disappointed, but hungry and uncomfortable as well.

I've credited your AAdvantage® account with 2,000 Customer Service Bonus miles to apologize in a tangible way.

Mr. Eliteflyer, we want to be the very best and your correspondence, while disappointing, is a valuable reminder of how hard we must work to meet our customers' expectations. We've valued your business since 2002 and appreciate your loyalty as an AAdvantage member. We look forward to your giving us another chance to serve you.

Sincerely,

Josh Seamon
Customer Relations
American Airlines