Sparkling in WT?
Nov 12, 2014, 6:57 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LCY
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 372
Sparkling in WT?
On my outbound LHR-DXB on Friday my companion and I asked for some sparking wine and were given the two mini bottles that are carried in one of the WT trolleys.
Today on my return DXB-LHR I was told that they have stopped offering even these two bottles in WT. Now only available in WT+.
The person serving me even checked with a senior member of staff.
So has this really changed in four days or is one of the crew I had not following policy?
Today on my return DXB-LHR I was told that they have stopped offering even these two bottles in WT. Now only available in WT+.
The person serving me even checked with a senior member of staff.
So has this really changed in four days or is one of the crew I had not following policy?
Nov 12, 2014, 7:06 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
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There was a ridiculously small amount of sparkling wine carried in WT but it's due to be enhanced away so perhaps it has been now.
Nov 12, 2014, 7:08 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,188
Yes, the sparkling wine has been 'enhanced' away as BA says there are not that much demand for sparkling wine in WT.
Not sure when is the start date, so it could be that the crew who gave you the sparkling did not remember the exact starting date.
Not sure when is the start date, so it could be that the crew who gave you the sparkling did not remember the exact starting date.
Nov 12, 2014, 8:26 am
#4
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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As there are no separate bars for WT plus the two sparkling wines in each of the 4 travellers bars are meant to be for plus customers only.
We have been told that they have been removed for WT customers to save money as we strive to make a huge profit this year, same way with the CW flowers.
These cuts will be revalued at the end of the year so if you miss these " enhancements" you need to complain.
To answer you question, I'm guessing the crewmember outbound didn't want to disapoint you which I can understand but it does make it more difficult for those who follow the service standard.
We have been told that they have been removed for WT customers to save money as we strive to make a huge profit this year, same way with the CW flowers.
These cuts will be revalued at the end of the year so if you miss these " enhancements" you need to complain.
To answer you question, I'm guessing the crewmember outbound didn't want to disapoint you which I can understand but it does make it more difficult for those who follow the service standard.
Nov 12, 2014, 9:56 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Silver, Mucci
Posts: 5,289
Didn't they used to have sparkling wine available for purchase in WT?
CW flowers? Were you supposed to have been scattering flowers in my path for all these years?????
Or is it the sad little chrysanths in the bathroom that have been enhanced?
CW flowers? Were you supposed to have been scattering flowers in my path for all these years?????
Or is it the sad little chrysanths in the bathroom that have been enhanced?
Nov 12, 2014, 10:00 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Nov 12, 2014, 10:02 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,069
We did have champagne for purchased but that was enhanced a couple of years ago.
I do feel for the people in our catering and product departments as they really do there best but are being squeezed like a lemon and they are now down to the pith.
I do feel for the people in our catering and product departments as they really do there best but are being squeezed like a lemon and they are now down to the pith.
Nov 12, 2014, 10:06 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,069
I always say to my crew in briefing that it is how you treat someone they remember not what you give them which seemed to be true when we offered a fairly decent product but now we do not even do this it's an up hill challenge.
Nov 13, 2014, 9:40 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: London
Programs: british airways, delta, virgin
Posts: 33
flying WT earlier this year, we asked for Sparkling wine and got told its not available but once the other cabins had meals served if any were left we could have them - the steward stuck to his word and returned with 2 bottles. Dunno is that allowed behaviour but was nice, he also came over to offer us the last gins when the bar was running dry! Maybe he liked us. 
Nov 13, 2014, 10:01 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 46
It does seem a very sorry state of affairs where the bean counters think that enhancing a couple of bottle of sparkling and flowers is a good thing. How much money does this really save, are there no customer service types who put our side of the argument in the meetings where these things are decided ? I thought profits were up, the share price certainly is.
Nov 13, 2014, 10:07 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hampshire (LHR)
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Posts: 446
Nov 13, 2014, 10:48 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,202
As there are no separate bars for WT plus the two sparkling wines in each of the 4 travellers bars are meant to be for plus customers only.
We have been told that they have been removed for WT customers to save money as we strive to make a huge profit this year, same way with the CW flowers.
These cuts will be revalued at the end of the year so if you miss these " enhancements" you need to complain.
To answer you question, I'm guessing the crewmember outbound didn't want to disapoint you which I can understand but it does make it more difficult for those who follow the service standard.
We have been told that they have been removed for WT customers to save money as we strive to make a huge profit this year, same way with the CW flowers.
These cuts will be revalued at the end of the year so if you miss these " enhancements" you need to complain.
To answer you question, I'm guessing the crewmember outbound didn't want to disapoint you which I can understand but it does make it more difficult for those who follow the service standard.
I remember seeing that sparking wine was (newly) available for a pre-departure beverage earlier this year in WT+.
Nov 13, 2014, 11:04 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, HHonours, SPG, AVIS
Posts: 526
Sparkling in WT?
There was 1 warm bottle on my WT+ from CPT last week, I took it & shared with Mrs E2S
The crew returned later with 2 glasses of Tat from CW & congratulated us on our special anniversary
The crew returned later with 2 glasses of Tat from CW & congratulated us on our special anniversary
Nov 13, 2014, 2:44 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MAN/BHX
Programs: ABBA
Posts: 6,027
I don't bother (in WTP) any more as they've usually run out for the refil.
However lets assume there's 8 bottles on the plane. Let's also assume they cost £3 more each than a bottle of white. BA have managed to save £24 over 240 seats, that's 10p/passenger. Let the good times roll! Glad I'm paying £2k return withthat kind of penny pinching. What next - hand baggage only fares? Cram another 6 seats worth at most £400 on to a short haul flight (and worthless on most flights)?
However lets assume there's 8 bottles on the plane. Let's also assume they cost £3 more each than a bottle of white. BA have managed to save £24 over 240 seats, that's 10p/passenger. Let the good times roll! Glad I'm paying £2k return withthat kind of penny pinching. What next - hand baggage only fares? Cram another 6 seats worth at most £400 on to a short haul flight (and worthless on most flights)?
