Qantas domestic Business customers will experience an international standard a la carte menu on all flights from the East Coast of Australia to Perth.

Designed by Qantas Consulting Chef Neil Perry, the new contemporary way of dining will be served on all Sydney-Perth, Melbourne-Perth and Brisbane-Perth flights from late May giving customers more choice.

Complementing the traditional three course menu already available, the new dining service includes a range of small and main plates as well as ‘small bites’ to start.

Qantas Domestic Chief Executive Officer Lyell Strambi said Qantas continues to challenge the notion of traditional airline meal service by delivering modern, restaurant style experiences in the sky.

“Qantas invented Business Class travel and now we’re raising the bar again,” Mr Strambi said.

“The new format lets customers dine with greater flexibility, allowing them to rest, work or enjoy inflight entertainment at their leisure.

“If customers don’t feel like a three course dining experience a choice in plate sizes means they can design a menu to match their appetite.

“Including two small plates, five main plates and the option of a ‘small bite’ to start, passengers can choose what they want and when they want it.”

Neil Perry and his Rockpool team have worked closely with Qantas to develop and implement the new menu – from designing the dishes, to writing and testing the recipes.

“Qantas customers wanted more choice, this new dining experience delivers on this,” Mr Perry said.

“The new menu gives customers a more contemporary dining experience too while still tapping into local produce and providing enough variation for frequent flyers.”

The menu will mark the removal of tray-service as the airline moves to deliver a more restaurant style approach on-board.

Mr Strambi said the launch of the new menu coincides with the use of wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft on all weekday Sydney-Perth and Melbourne-Perth flights as well as the completion of a $20 million program to refresh the airline’s Boeing 767 fleet which will be used on Brisbane-Perth flights.

“Our enhanced business class menu is just one part of the ongoing investment we’re making into improving the experience for Qantas customers,” he said.

“Our on-board dining experience in addition to our fleet of aircraft, superior network, frequencies, lounges, on-time performance, and frequent flyer program, is why we continue to be the best for business and premium travellers.

“We are also the only domestic airline that offers a meal and checked-in baggage to every passenger as part of their fare, no matter what time they are flying or which class they are in.”