MELBOURNE- A Qantas Airways (QF) business class passenger on a flight from Melbourne (MEL) to Tokyo (HND) claims she was denied a dinner meal despite paying nearly $15,000 for the premium experience. The incident has sparked widespread reactions after the traveler shared her disappointment on social media.
Dr. Katie Waldman, traveling with her daughter on the 10-hour Qantas (QF) international flight, waited 30 minutes before a flight attendant informed her that her meal had been given away based on an assumption that she was not hungry, as flagged by Daily Mail UK.
Qantas Under Fire for Meal Oversight
Dr. Waldman documented the incident on TikTok, expressing disbelief that a premium fare on Qantas (QF) could result in such a service lapse.
She explained that while her daughter’s meal arrived early, she placed it on her own tray table due to the child’s aversion to the chicken’s smell. As other passengers received both meals and dessert, Dr. Waldman remained unattended.
When she questioned a crew member about the delay, the attendant responded that he assumed she had already eaten, pointing to her tray. Without verifying her preference, the staff gave her meal to someone else, leaving no remaining options from the main service.
Despite her calm demeanor, Dr. Waldman called the situation “annoying” and noted, “Accidents shouldn’t happen at $15,000.” The incident has reignited conversations around the expectations and service quality of business class travel.
Mixed Reaction on Social Media
The TikTok video quickly gained traction, drawing mixed reactions. Supporters emphasized that premium-class passengers should not be subject to such service errors. A former cabin crew member stated, “100 percent, you should have been asked if you still wanted the meal.”
Others noted the failure of the flight crew to communicate properly. “You pay that amount, you expect better service,” one user wrote. Several agreed that the error was avoidable, given that clear communication could have resolved the confusion.
However, not all reactions were sympathetic. Some downplayed the complaint, suggesting the situation may have been a misunderstanding. Sarcastic comments like “My heart bleeds for you” highlighted the polarized public opinion on luxury travel complaints.
Similar Incident
This event follows another recent business class meal controversy on a Qantas domestic flight. A passenger who upgraded to business class for $800 reported disappointment with the food, which included a bread roll with Pepe Saya butter, chicken and mushroom pie, mushy peas, and chutney. They described the roll as “inedible” and the chutney pairing as “weird.”
These repeated complaints come at a time when airline dining experiences are increasingly scrutinized by travelers expecting value for high fares.
In response to the incident, Qantas issued a statement acknowledging the service lapse. The airline said its crew apologized during the flight and offered Dr. Waldman alternative options. Qantas’ customer team also followed up after the flight, offering a $500 travel voucher as a goodwill gesture.
While the airline addressed the issue post-flight, the damage to customer perception may linger, particularly among premium travelers who equate high cost with seamless service.
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