LNER 1st class catering

[Crithylum]

I booked a ticket through the forum involving a leg from Stevenage to London. When booking the site said there was complimentary hot food. However, on board, I was only offered snacks, and not the menu, due to the journey time being under 30 minutes. I wouldn't have paid as much extra as I did for first class if I knew I would only get some fruit and low quality apple juice.

 

[Hadders]

Did you change trains onto LNER southbound at Stevenage? If so, I think you were lucky to get anything given the journey only takes 20 minutes.

 

[Crithylum]

Yes, I was going southbound at Stevenage. My previous experiences of LNER first class is that the food can be served and eaten in under 20 minutes. I have attached a screenshot of trying to buy a similar ticket from Stevenage to London.

 

[Hadders]

On the odd occcasion I've used LNER 1st class between Stevenage and Kings Cross I don't think I've ever been offered any catering. After a minimum 2+ hours before Stevenage the crew will be packing up. I have had some service northbound but the crew has got the rest of the journey ahead of them.

 

[Haywain]

I'm impressed you got anything.

 

[AlterEgo]

They don't serve on that tiny little leg for future reference. Clearly the site is wrong in suggesting there would be but I would think it obvious you wouldn't get a full hot meal between Stevenage and London.

 

[Falcon1200]

If so, I think you were lucky to get anything given the journey only takes 20 minutes.

Indeed! It would require time to get to the passenger boarding at Stevenage, take their order (assuming they had already selected from the menu), return to the kitchen, cook/heat the food and serve the passenger. Not to mention that the passenger then needs time to eat it! That's an awful lot to accomplish in 20 minutes.

 

[speedy1]

Expensive lesson for you unfortunately :/. Hopefully at least it was not an Azuma and you got to sit in an incredibly comfy first class seat ?

I've found LNER are exceptionally good out of Leeds recently - within minutes they come hurtling down the carriage with drinks and cold food + hot food orders. You can get a drink, crisps, dessert and cold plate done before Wakefield if you sit by the galley and are one of the first few to be served (the charcuterie board is excellent). Not sure if departing London is similar ?

On the inbound to Leeds, they consider Wakefield basically end of the journey for food and drinks (understandable) and even get annoyed if customers are still using their cutlery etc because they want to tidy up lol...but I have frequently been offered water/drink/crisps from passing staff. They try their best.