Airline catering logistics are extraordinarily intricate. In premium cabins, the aim is to provide restaurant-quality meals, although airlines are reheating food prepared in a catering facility hours prior. Additionally, the objective is to minimize waste while maximizing the likelihood of as many passengers as possible receiving their first meal choice.
Currently, many airlines allow you to pre-order your meal before your flight. At its core, this is beneficial because it guarantees you receive your first choice. Furthermore, airlines sometimes present a broader range of meal options when booking ahead compared to what is available onboard.
Nevertheless, no airline provides as much flexibility with catering selections as Singapore Airlines does with its Book the Cook program. In this article, I would like to examine that in detail.
What is Singapore Airlines Book The Cook?
With Singapore Airlines Book the Cook, travelers in premium cabins on select flights can pre-order their meals, choosing from an extensive selection of dishes not typically available onboard. For instance, for flights departing from Singapore, you can select from numerous different options, offering a level of flexibility unmatched by other airlines.
Singapore Airlines has three different kinds of meal pre-order options:
– The Book the Cook feature, which allows you to select from a wide variety of options not available onboard.
– The inflight menu, which lets you reserve your preferred option from those on the menu before your flight.
– The special meals menu, catering to those with specific dietary requirements who wish to place an order based on that.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s delve into the logistics of Book the Cook.
Which passengers are eligible for Book the Cook?
Book the Cook is open to passengers traveling in Suites, first class, business class, and premium economy on selected routes. As you can see, this is applicable for all premium cabins, with only economy passengers not qualifying for the program. It does not matter how your ticket was purchased; even those who redeemed miles can benefit from this.
Which routes have Book the Cook?
The availability of Book the Cook is contingent upon the airport you are departing from, with each airport featuring a different menu. Notably, the number of airports offering Book the Cook varies significantly depending on the cabin you are traveling in:
– Book the Cook is accessible in Suites and first class from 17 airports.
– Book the Cook is available in business class from 33 airports.
– Book the Cook is provided in premium economy from 27 airports.
You can view the full list of participating airports and menus at this link. Why isn’t it available at all airports? Keep in mind that airlines often utilize third-party airport catering services, and some catering companies might not be able to provide customized meals cost-effectively.
How do you reserve Book the Cook?
You can make Book the Cook selections up to six weeks prior to departure, with finalization needed at least 24 hours ahead of your flight.
After making your reservation, navigate to the section of Singapore Airlines’ website for managing your booking. Then go to the meal preferences section, where you’ll find the option to pre-reserve your meal. You will see the Book the Cook option, the standard menu selection, and the special meals option.
It is important to note that when you utilize Book the Cook, you will still receive the standard starters, desserts, and more; this is just for your main course reservation. Therefore, if you have dietary restrictions, it might be wise to opt for a special meal to ensure the entire meal is suitable for you.
For longer flights featuring multiple meal services, you can often select several Book the Cook options. This is generally available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but not when the meal is categorized as a refreshment or continental breakfast, and it is also unavailable on flights shorter than 1.5 hours.
How does Book the Cook work once onboard?
Once you are onboard your flight, the crew should verify that you have pre-reserved your meal while meal orders are taken. A common question is whether you can change your selection and order from the main menu. The answer is a mix of yes and no.
When using Book the Cook, you should expect to receive what you ordered, as the airline has prepared your specific dish instead of at least one dish that would normally be included on the menu. That said, Singapore Airlines operates differently compared to US airlines and generally carries more food than necessary.
If there are enough dishes remaining, you may be able to switch to something else on the menu. However, expect that you will be the last to choose after everyone else has made their selection.
Singapore Airlines’ Book the Cook program is impressive.
I appreciate the concept.