Yikes, You’d think they might give you something nice for helping them avoid tragedy like Istanbul lounge access for a year or an upgrade. Turkish airlines business class lounge was at one time (not sure what it’s like now) one of the best air travel food experiences anywhere. Three floors of from scratch Turkish food cooked in front of you with wood ovens. There was a grandma making little dumplings with yogurt and tomato sauce. Fresh breads of all kinds. Amazing bowls of stone fruits and nuts just sitting on common area tables. Fresh baklava and other Turkish desserts. Lachaman and pide made and baked right in front of you….
4 Likes
Oh I’ll always take advantage of free booze on flights, but not too many 
1 Like
Back in the 90s the organization I was with got free upgrades to first class on Air France if space was available from DC to Paris. Along with the raw beef cuts paraded before you for selection before cooking later, the cheese cart, the Cluiziel chocolate ballotin, the petit fours, and 3-4 proper courses, I was plied with amazing aperitifs, champagnes, whites and reds, and a digestif. Being a newby to this sort of thing (and not repeating it often since), I tried it all. Was not a great morning strolling around Paris on my 10 hour layover with a big hangover…
5 Likes
Those were the days…
1 Like
great memory! it reminds me of the TWA 747s that flew out of JFK in the 70’s/80’s. there was a spiral staircase to the upstairs cabin. in the front was a full bar and i recall the seats up there swiveled like lounge chairs. i was seated up there a few times as a child (only b/c my mom worked in the industry) and they actually had a fully stocked buffet (lobster, oysters, shrimp and a bunch of hot dishes) set up for a long haul trip to Honolulu. were i of age i’m sure a few mai-tai’s would have been imbibed. after a few of those flights it was all downhill from there.
5 Likes
Any opinions on meals on trains?
Long ago the Pacific Coast Starlight served an awesome cream of tomato soup.
1 Like
Just had salmon cakes on the Via Rail Ocean, between Montreal and Halifax.
Great service, beautiful views, mediocre food.
Wait! The strawberry shortcake was really good.
Better than most Amtrak meals but still only ok.
7 Likes
My meal on the way back to Madrid from Malaga. Food wasn’t included in the fare(only 2+ hour ride), so I grabbed a ham sangweech and an apple custard pastry earlier in the day. Total cost was about 7-9 Euros, which ain’t cheap but way cheaper than the offerings on board and very tasty, especially at over 280 kmph
11 Likes
Thanks for sharing! Was that air or rail, and which one?
1 Like
Renfe, Malaga to Madrid by train.
2 Likes
Low bar.
How long is that Via trip? My Canadian colleagues often talk about the train but I’ve yet to take it.
1 Like
Pretty tragic. I did a ton of research before I booked my California Zephyr trip, and decided to bring a ton of food with me in acknowledgement of how mediocre the offerings would be. And they were.
1 Like
Montreal to Halifax on the Ocean is just 23 hours. Toronto to Vancouver on thr Canadian is much longer but not sure how long. Book on Ren cars, not the older HEP cars if yo can. Ren are newer Siemens builds, HEP are older Budd cars, reno’ed, but still older.
Or so it appears to me.
Anyone have any experience with the meal service in Lufthansa economy?! Just asking as I’m being teed up to fly long haul back to Vietnam with Lufthansa in October. If the food is totally blah, then I’ll pack some snacks.
1 Like
It’s blah. Pack snacks.
2 Likes
Noted!
I’m sure it has changed over the 25 years that was that experience.
Shawarma flavored perhaps?
