Qantas Unveils New Domestic Menu Featuring Indigenous and Local Australian Producers

Qantas Airways (QF), Australia’s flagship carrier, has unveiled a comprehensive overhaul of its domestic in-flight menu, introducing nearly 70 new and refreshed items. These will incorporate a diverse range of Australian and indigenous flavors that will be “on rotation across six mealtimes“. The revamped menu is being rolled this month across both Business and Economy cabins.

Australian and Indigenous Flavors on the Australian Flag Carrier

Business Class Offerings

The airline’s commitment to showcasing local producers is evident in its partnerships with renowned Australian suppliers. Notable inclusions are Sydney’s Simmone Logue, Queensland’s Handmade Food Co, and Indigenous businesses such as DreamTime Tuka and Cooee. This strategic move not only supports local enterprises but also enriches the inflight dining experience with authentic Australian cuisine.

In the Business cabin, passengers can indulge in gourmet selections that reflect Australia’s rich culinary heritage. Standout dishes include:

• Garlic Prawns with Parmesan Cream and Fettuccine: A fusion of seafood and Italian flavors, offering a luxurious taste experience.

• Lamb and Rosemary Pie: A hearty, traditional dish infused with aromatic herbs.

• Smoked Salmon with Zucchini Pickles and Lemon Dressing: A fresh and tangy combination highlighting local produce.

To get the full idea of the dining experience on Business

Category	Details
Menu Concept	A modern array of dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients, allowing passengers to choose between light bites or a full gourmet experience at any time.
Snacks & Light Meals	Enjoy cabin crew-served treats such as the signature chicken schnitzel or Swiss cheese toastie*, or help yourself from the self-service inflight bar on select routes.
Seasonal Menus	Select flights feature menus inspired by seasonal ingredients, including options like red wine-braised beef short rib with potato purée and greens, or Humpty Doo barramundi with ginger, chilli, snake beans, and jasmine rice.*
Wine Selection	Curated by Qantas Neil Perry Sommeliers, the wine list features boutique Australian labels, classic favorites, and Champagne from France.
Spirits Selection	Highlights include Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin as the standard pour and H by Hine Cognac for a premium offering.*
Service & Presentation	Meals are delivered by attentive cabin crew and complemented by elegantly designed tableware from David Caon.

Business class passengers already have access to the following in Qantas’ Business class.

• Benefit from priority handling of your baggage.

• Qantas pajamas and luxurious Koskela amenity kits.

• A personal, on-demand inflight entertainment system.

•  A fully reclining flat-bed seat Business Suite on A380, A330, or 787 aircraft, featuring.

• Complimentary entry to Qantas Business Lounges where available, or alternatively to lounges of partner airlines.

• Access to priority check-in counters, along with an exclusive boarding lane and expedited disembarkation.

Economy Class Selections

Economy passengers are treated to a variety of satisfying options, such as:

• Egg and Chorizo Toastie: A hearty breakfast choice combining protein-rich eggs and spicy chorizo.

• Macadamia Butterscotch Cake: A sweet treat featuring native Australian macadamia nuts.

• DreamTime Tuka Box: An Indigenous-inspired offering, providing a taste of authentic bush tucker.

To complement the meals served on Qantas’ economy class, the carrier offers complimentary wine and beer on all its trans-Tasman flights departing from 9am.

Category	Details
Enhanced Journey Features	Qantas continuously upgrades its international inflight experience, featuring refreshed cabin interiors, improved dining options, and upgraded inflight entertainment. Check-in is streamlined online or at the airport, with friendly Qantas staff available for support. Saver and Flex fares include complimentary standard seat selection, while select flights offer modern amenity kits with essential travel items.
Seats – Airbus A380 & A330	Passengers enjoy newly upgraded seats with softer cushioning, extra legroom, and a netted footrest for a deeper recline. Ergonomic slimline designs include built-in lumbar support and adjustable headrests with side wings for optimal comfort on long-haul journeys.
Seats – Boeing 787 Dreamliner	The award-winning Recaro seats provide ergonomic support, integrated storage, personal device shelves, and adjustable mood lighting. A foot net further enhances comfort, making longer flights more relaxing.
Dining	Economy and premium passengers can enjoy award-winning wines, continuous snack service, and menus inspired by seasonal ingredients. Expect generous portions, diverse choices, and seamless meal service, including dishes like char kway teow-style rice noodles with tofu and beansprouts.
Entertainment	Each passenger has access to a personal inflight entertainment system offering over 1,000 hours of movies, TV series, music, interactive games, and moving maps. Entertainment is available from boarding through take-off and landing, ensuring flexibility throughout the flight.
Amenities	Selected international flights provide stylish Economy amenity kits, including a dental kit, eyemask, and earplugs. Eco-conscious travelers will appreciate the pouch made from recycled PET bottles, branded with Qantas’ iconic kangaroo. Additional essentials are available upon request on all international services.

Indigenous Collaborations

The inclusion of Indigenous businesses in Qantas’s menu is a significant step towards cultural inclusivity.

• DreamTime Tuka, led by Uncle Herb Smith, offers dishes inspired by traditional bush tucker
• Cooee Cookies, founded by Terri-Anne ‘Tezzi’ Daniel, provides plant-based, gluten-free treats like the Jam Drop Cookie.

Lounge Enhancements Across Australia

Qantas is also elevating the lounge experience for its passengers. Upgrades include the following:

• Brisbane Lounge: Introduction of a dedicated pastry bakery, offering freshly baked goods.

• Melbourne Lounge: Addition of diverse menu options, including nasi goreng, catering to a variety of tastes.

• Perth Lounge: Revamped pizza bar, providing a selection of gourmet pizzas. These enhancements aim to provide a consistent and high-quality experience for travelers, both in the air and on the ground.

Catriona Larritt, Qantas’ Group Chief Customer and Digital Officer, said that the carrier’s new menu “was thoughtfully curated to showcase the best of Australia“, adding: 

“Each year, we proudly serve our customers more than 20 million menu items on board and we’re excited to introduce a refreshed offering featuring even more delicious options on every flight.  We know our customers value variety and quality when they fly with us, and this new menu has been thoughtfully curated to highlight the finest Australian flavours while championing local businesses across the country.” 

Comparative Analysis: Similar Initiatives by Other Airlines

Comparing the Newly Introduced In-Flight Food Options Across Economy and Business in Qantas

Course Type / Menu	Business Class Highlights	Economy Class Highlights
Breakfast / Light Options	Coconut, Blueberry & Lemon Bread with Lemon Curd	Egg & Chorizo Toastie with smoky tomato chutney – The Handmade Food Co.
Starters / Savory Pastries	Brie & Onion Tart with Beetroot Relish & Rocket	Pumpkin, Spinach & Parmesan Quiche – Temptation
Main Courses	Lamb & Rosemary Pie with Crisp Potatoes & Peas Smoked Salmon with Zucchini Pickles & Lemon Dressing Garlic Prawns with Parmesan Cream & Fettuccine	Beef Sausage Burrito Wrap – Yummy Karma Beef Ragu & Mushroom Pie – Simmone Logue
Hearty / Premium Mains	Red Wine Angus Beef with Mash & Green Beans	NG
Desserts / Sweet Options	NG	Chocolate Caramel Slice – Manna from Heaven Jam Drop Cookie – Cooee Cookies Macadamia Butterscotch Cake – Dreamtime Tuka