Recent Flight - leaving me a bit 'meh'
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 12
Recent Flight - leaving me a bit 'meh'
Afternoon all.
I couldn't really decide on whether or not to vent my feelings on this one, but here we go.
Just flew back from Brisbane to LHR on QF97 to Hong Kong and then BA 26 to LHR. I make the trip to London about 3 to 4 times a year using a combination of Qantas, BA and now Emirates.
I generally start most flights with low expectations to avoid disappointment and end up satisfied as a result. I wouldn't say i'm a demanding passenger either, happy just to sit in my seat the whole way and chill out.
My recent trip in economy on BA26 though has left me frustrated with the airline that I really want to like and be proud of (ever since my first exciting long haul flight many years ago with BA to LA)
My overall impression after the 13 hour journey with BA is that the cabin crew just really couldn't be bothered. There were no smiles, no pleasantries. no pleases or thank you's, just a miserable crew who really made you feel like you were a total inconvenience to their existence.
Examples include;
- Partners headphones being broken - upon reporting to crew told that there were no spares and she would just have to find some in the neighbouring seat. (it was a full flight from what i could see)
- Meal service being introduced to each customer with a blurted out 'Chicken or Beef'. If BA cannot provide a menu card, the least they can do is actually try and describe the meal or at least introduce it with something along the lines of ' Can I interest you in a meal tonight?' The service style and quality of food was reminiscent of a school canteen.
- I asked a passing crew member (i always feel bad using the call button) politely for some additional water as my partner was suffering with bad motion sickness. This was met with a huff and a muttered 'I suppose I can get some from the galley for you'
- Tray collection was signified by an outreached hand with a 'hand me your tray' hand gesture. Is it so hard to say something along the lines of ' Can i take your tray please?'
In fairness to BA and to provide some balance, the aircraft was spotless, the flight was punctual and the pilots announcements were frequent and friendly. I just got the impression from the rest of the cabin crew that they couldn't be bothered.
I've amazed myself at how much a miserable crew can taint your experience. If I contrast it to the QF97 element of my journey, their old a330 was nothing to write home about but the staff were happy, helpful and professional which left me feeling much better about the flight. (Qantas staff certainly don't have much to be happy about at the moment - so I found this even more impressive)
I'd like to put this down to a one off experience as I am a bit of a self confessed BA apologist, however my prior 3 flights (Hong Kong and Singapore) with them have been a similar experience. Indifferent crew, indifferent check in staff, variable meal quality and just generally feeling like no one has any pride or passion.
Just some further observations on my experience;
The A380 is great (and very quiet).
The cabin is smart and clean. Though I feel a bit like they have 'cheaped out' on the cabins. Qantas provide foot rest hammocks which are a nice touch.
The temperature seems to fluctuate wildly. I'm still at a loss as to why BA don't have personal air vents.
The IFE screens are great, although I cant help but think they could fit a lot more content on. The boxes under the seat also seem a lot more invasive than I recall on other A380's I have been on (sat in 71 A and B) with one large box under each seat. (I may be wrong here - I just cant remember one box per seat before).
I'm one of those weirdos that actually likes airline food. What turned out to be stir fried beef with rice was barely edible. Half of the beef was sinew.
Apologies for my negativity in this, my 5th post. I just feel I had to get it off my chest.
I couldn't really decide on whether or not to vent my feelings on this one, but here we go.
Just flew back from Brisbane to LHR on QF97 to Hong Kong and then BA 26 to LHR. I make the trip to London about 3 to 4 times a year using a combination of Qantas, BA and now Emirates.
I generally start most flights with low expectations to avoid disappointment and end up satisfied as a result. I wouldn't say i'm a demanding passenger either, happy just to sit in my seat the whole way and chill out.
My recent trip in economy on BA26 though has left me frustrated with the airline that I really want to like and be proud of (ever since my first exciting long haul flight many years ago with BA to LA)
My overall impression after the 13 hour journey with BA is that the cabin crew just really couldn't be bothered. There were no smiles, no pleasantries. no pleases or thank you's, just a miserable crew who really made you feel like you were a total inconvenience to their existence.
Examples include;
- Partners headphones being broken - upon reporting to crew told that there were no spares and she would just have to find some in the neighbouring seat. (it was a full flight from what i could see)
- Meal service being introduced to each customer with a blurted out 'Chicken or Beef'. If BA cannot provide a menu card, the least they can do is actually try and describe the meal or at least introduce it with something along the lines of ' Can I interest you in a meal tonight?' The service style and quality of food was reminiscent of a school canteen.
- I asked a passing crew member (i always feel bad using the call button) politely for some additional water as my partner was suffering with bad motion sickness. This was met with a huff and a muttered 'I suppose I can get some from the galley for you'
- Tray collection was signified by an outreached hand with a 'hand me your tray' hand gesture. Is it so hard to say something along the lines of ' Can i take your tray please?'
In fairness to BA and to provide some balance, the aircraft was spotless, the flight was punctual and the pilots announcements were frequent and friendly. I just got the impression from the rest of the cabin crew that they couldn't be bothered.
I've amazed myself at how much a miserable crew can taint your experience. If I contrast it to the QF97 element of my journey, their old a330 was nothing to write home about but the staff were happy, helpful and professional which left me feeling much better about the flight. (Qantas staff certainly don't have much to be happy about at the moment - so I found this even more impressive)
I'd like to put this down to a one off experience as I am a bit of a self confessed BA apologist, however my prior 3 flights (Hong Kong and Singapore) with them have been a similar experience. Indifferent crew, indifferent check in staff, variable meal quality and just generally feeling like no one has any pride or passion.
Just some further observations on my experience;
The A380 is great (and very quiet).
The cabin is smart and clean. Though I feel a bit like they have 'cheaped out' on the cabins. Qantas provide foot rest hammocks which are a nice touch.
The temperature seems to fluctuate wildly. I'm still at a loss as to why BA don't have personal air vents.
The IFE screens are great, although I cant help but think they could fit a lot more content on. The boxes under the seat also seem a lot more invasive than I recall on other A380's I have been on (sat in 71 A and B) with one large box under each seat. (I may be wrong here - I just cant remember one box per seat before).
I'm one of those weirdos that actually likes airline food. What turned out to be stir fried beef with rice was barely edible. Half of the beef was sinew.
Apologies for my negativity in this, my 5th post. I just feel I had to get it off my chest.
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 270
Eh?
This is standard crew behaviour in y from my experience. in fact I would class this as better than normal as you got a choice of meal. That rarely happens for me.
Crew always lovely in j. Surly in y. It's just the way it is in my experience.
This is standard crew behaviour in y from my experience. in fact I would class this as better than normal as you got a choice of meal. That rarely happens for me.
Crew always lovely in j. Surly in y. It's just the way it is in my experience.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Brighton and Hove, UK
Programs: BA Silver, Thameslink Delay Repay
Posts: 1,245
Sound like SOP in Y to me Thankfully this forum has helped me mostly avoid Y travel!
That said I had an unusually friendly crew on LHR-MIA last week, and on AA of all places! So who's to say miracles don't happen?
That said I had an unusually friendly crew on LHR-MIA last week, and on AA of all places! So who's to say miracles don't happen?
#12
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Actually it sounds like standard Y service on most airlines, although I think I know what you are saying - may I guess that the surly, cold attitude bothered you more than anything else?
Surly, cold attitude is what disappoints me most. I would rather put up with not getting food to be honest. If the crew members are lovely, it makes it so much easier to put up with things. Let's face it, Y travel is hard work, but it can feel better with nice crew.
And because of PJs in J!
Surly, cold attitude is what disappoints me most. I would rather put up with not getting food to be honest. If the crew members are lovely, it makes it so much easier to put up with things. Let's face it, Y travel is hard work, but it can feel better with nice crew.
And because of PJs in J!
#15
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
But really, realistically, Y is just about putting up with the further confined space from A to B (although other classes are the same, the space isn't quite as confined) and I don't think it can be expected to be much of an experience to be honest.
I have just done two long haul sectors (not on BA) and really felt that it was all about getting from A to B - much like a National Express coach! You don't get a meal on National Express coach let alone a menu, and only one loo between all the passengers.
Still, not at all good for crew to have a surly attitude. That shouldn't be part of the service (OK, you do get grumpy drivers on National Express but...).
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Mar 7, 2014 at 1:12 pm