headingwest

Having flown old Club Europe VIE-LHR and then returned in the new cabin a few days later, I’ve definitely noticed the difference between the two. My opinion is the same as the majority that have commented on the ‘New Shorthaul Cabins‘ thread here on Flyertalk – that as far as space and comfort go - the new cabin is inferier. Whilst I agree that the new interier looks great, the CE passengers are certainly getting the bad end of the deal. I now see the only difference between Euro Traveller and Club Europe is a salad and piece of cake, of course with an empty seat next to you. When you consider that the retail cost of...say a flatbread (not that horrible sausage croissant thingy!), can be about £2, whilst the cost of salad, cake, and lump of cheese would be about £10.00 max...then I can’t now see the point of paying an extra €130+ for a Club seat. It is such a shame that BA seems to have, in this case, shot themselves in the foot. Instead of setting the benchmark, they have decided to lower the standard to the level of others. Essentially diluting a premium service that BA is recognised for. I firmly believe, however, that the whole thing will go full circle, and that in time (not immediately, but in 2 or 3 years perhaps) they will restore the seat pitch/width/recline once again. Of course, nobody will ever admit that they got it wrong.

Now this takes me on to the point of this thread. 5 of my next shorthaul bookings are in Euro Traveller (with exit seats selected for every flight!). A friend of mine who works for Qantas and travels often with BA has told me that it’s perfectly OK to ask for a second drink. That seems perfectly reasonable to me, if you consider that a band 3 flight for example, can last about 2 hours. The thing is, is it being greedy? In the past I’ve always been reluctant to ask, feeling that it’s asking a bit too much.

Also, I’m quite a considerate person, and I know how hard the cabin crew work on some of these flights. The last thing that I want to do is put on my light to request another drink, only to start a domino effect of other passengers requesting further drinks!

So the main question is....Is it acceptable to ask for a 2nd (or even 3rd!) drink on a Euro Traveller flight?

Your comments will be considered very carefully in helping me decide

Tobias-UK

Yes, you can ask for as many drinks as you like (if you're not inebriated ).

corporate-wage-slave

The standard SCCM introduction just after take-off - which I am sure you must have heard by now - makes it very clear that you can ask for extra drinks either by going to the galley or by pressing the call bell. There are reports of some rationing on certain drinks (notably out of LGW) but I've never seen it myself. Soft drinks definitely ok.

layz

Some announce that you can request additional drinks using the call bell or going to the galley.

It's certainly allowed and if you're polite about it they're unlikely to refuse.

My personal rules are:

1) Ensure the full service has been completed (so you're sure you're not holding up anyone else).
2) Will either go to the galley or ask them when walking past that if they have time would it be possible to have another drink.

I tend not to use call bells, but that's what they're there for as long as you don't go overboard.

BAMuc

As somebody how travels ET fairly regularly (about every two weeks), I have noticed that BA now often announces sth along the lines of "Do not hesitate to ask if you would like another drink by using the call button or visiting the galley" - even on very short flights like DUS or HAJ - so I assume it's perfectly acceptable. This announcement has not existed before if I recall correctly, even though I have never been refused a second drink.

South London Bon Viveur

I rarely ask for a second drink out of consideration for the cabin crew, but I am in a minority.

headingwest

Yes Southlondonbonviveur, that's my point....that's how I feel too. Although I have heard them announce that you can ask for more, nobody else seems to bother. I find it quite strange!

Jamier45

If theres no crew in the aisles walking up and down then I just go along to the galley and ask and they are always happy to give me another Heineken

paulwuk

Not ET, but I managed 3 cans of tiger on a Belfast flight once

JustPete

I fly a mix of ET and CE almost weekly, and I'm also a bit of a coke fiend (the fizzy type)... And I never ask for another can, although I also have that whole English not wanting to put anyone out mentality!!

I don't think I've ever heard them specifically mention the asking for more than one drink thing?

nobbyclark

I am nearly always in ET and nearly always ask. Sometimes the crew offer when the trolley is heading back to the galley.

JustTheOne

Out of interest, would they object to someone asking for two drinks at the start of the service instead?

Sam Bee

I've had 'seconds' volunteered to me on the last flights back from LBA & MAN (admittedly only 40 odd on the flight) and a beer with 2 brandy chasers from BRU.

Weren't being volunteered on the slightly longer flight from Faro, but they were more than happy to provide when I traipsed back to the galley.

I gather being smiley and friendly goes a long way to getting your drinks replenished

Jamier45

No justtheone. I regularly ask for 2 Heineken on domestic flights and sometimes a 3rd depending on how quickly I get through those 2 or how thirsty I am

headingwest

Good question!

Austrian proactively ask if you want 2 drinks during the service