daytime flight JFK-LHR, what meals will I get?
Mar 28, 2015, 5:59 am
#32
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: BAEC (Gold), PC (Plat), HH (Gold), MR (Gold)
Posts: 2,729
I fly eastbound TATL (ex-Boston) about twice a month these days, and am personally disappointed with the food offering in WTP.
A backward step was swapping breakfast for "brunch". Prior to this there were two breakfast choices, a full English and a nice veggie option usually involving a frittata. In CW there was also a surprisingly nice pancakey thing involving a Grand Marnier. All very nice and breakfasty, very appropriate given everyone's been up since the arse crack of dawn and either not had breakfast yet or at best a slice of toast in the lounge.
Some bright spark then decided that breakfast wasn't right at breakfast time, and now for brunch there is either a heavier mixed grill option, replacing nice breakfasty eggs with a chunk of barely-edible steak, or a veggie option of pasta, usually with a cream and mushroom sauce.
Pasta.
For breakfast.
CW's slightly better with the smoked salmon, Bircher muesli etc. to start, but the additional mains beyond the above usually consist of a fish or chicken dish more suited to dinner than breakfast.
Prior to landing in WTP you get a slice of cake, guaranteeing you're starving by the time you get to your central London hotel after 9.
That last part I can deal with, but I'd welcome a bring back breakfast campaign, as there really are some things in life that shouldn't be messed with.
A backward step was swapping breakfast for "brunch". Prior to this there were two breakfast choices, a full English and a nice veggie option usually involving a frittata. In CW there was also a surprisingly nice pancakey thing involving a Grand Marnier. All very nice and breakfasty, very appropriate given everyone's been up since the arse crack of dawn and either not had breakfast yet or at best a slice of toast in the lounge.
Some bright spark then decided that breakfast wasn't right at breakfast time, and now for brunch there is either a heavier mixed grill option, replacing nice breakfasty eggs with a chunk of barely-edible steak, or a veggie option of pasta, usually with a cream and mushroom sauce.
Pasta.
For breakfast.
CW's slightly better with the smoked salmon, Bircher muesli etc. to start, but the additional mains beyond the above usually consist of a fish or chicken dish more suited to dinner than breakfast.
Prior to landing in WTP you get a slice of cake, guaranteeing you're starving by the time you get to your central London hotel after 9.
That last part I can deal with, but I'd welcome a bring back breakfast campaign, as there really are some things in life that shouldn't be messed with.
Mar 28, 2015, 7:02 am
#33
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
I think we're all individuals and quite different. Time to demand meals ranging from 0-3,000 calories per serving in WT and anything from 0 to 7 meals in 6 hours, served any time we request, of course. Naturally, F should range from 0-10,000 calories, 0-25 meals in 6 hours. The range of food should include 5,000 different ingredients prepared to the individual preference.
Mar 28, 2015, 7:19 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,228
Very interesting that VS serves the second meal as the main meal - given the timings of the flight this seems more logical and more focused to the customers' needs. I personally would prefer a lighter breakfast and a more substantial lunch/dinner.
Thinking about it, I actually don't know of any BA flight where the second meal service is the main service. Maybe it suits the crew/airline better to get the main meal out of the way first?
Thinking about it, I actually don't know of any BA flight where the second meal service is the main service. Maybe it suits the crew/airline better to get the main meal out of the way first?
I think the general idea with the breakfast service out of East Coast is that if you have had to get up early in Manhattan and get to JFK, you may have eaten nothing yet! BA's format on this route is a hot meal and a snack. It's such a short flight (6-6-1/2 hours airborne) that two full meals would be excessive in my view.
I can see the argument for flipping the service - IE a "continental breakfast" followed by a hot dinner, but you can't please everyone.
Of course if you fly F you can dine on demand!
Mar 28, 2015, 7:22 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,228
I fly eastbound TATL (ex-Boston) about twice a month these days, and am personally disappointed with the food offering in WTP.
A backward step was swapping breakfast for "brunch". Prior to this there were two breakfast choices, a full English and a nice veggie option usually involving a frittata. In CW there was also a surprisingly nice pancakey thing involving a Grand Marnier. All very nice and breakfasty, very appropriate given everyone's been up since the arse crack of dawn and either not had breakfast yet or at best a slice of toast in the lounge.
Some bright spark then decided that breakfast wasn't right at breakfast time, and now for brunch there is either a heavier mixed grill option, replacing nice breakfasty eggs with a chunk of barely-edible steak, or a veggie option of pasta, usually with a cream and mushroom sauce.
Pasta.
For breakfast.
CW's slightly better with the smoked salmon, Bircher muesli etc. to start, but the additional mains beyond the above usually consist of a fish or chicken dish more suited to dinner than breakfast.
Prior to landing in WTP you get a slice of cake, guaranteeing you're starving by the time you get to your central London hotel after 9.
That last part I can deal with, but I'd welcome a bring back breakfast campaign, as there really are some things in life that shouldn't be messed with.
A backward step was swapping breakfast for "brunch". Prior to this there were two breakfast choices, a full English and a nice veggie option usually involving a frittata. In CW there was also a surprisingly nice pancakey thing involving a Grand Marnier. All very nice and breakfasty, very appropriate given everyone's been up since the arse crack of dawn and either not had breakfast yet or at best a slice of toast in the lounge.
Some bright spark then decided that breakfast wasn't right at breakfast time, and now for brunch there is either a heavier mixed grill option, replacing nice breakfasty eggs with a chunk of barely-edible steak, or a veggie option of pasta, usually with a cream and mushroom sauce.
Pasta.
For breakfast.
CW's slightly better with the smoked salmon, Bircher muesli etc. to start, but the additional mains beyond the above usually consist of a fish or chicken dish more suited to dinner than breakfast.
Prior to landing in WTP you get a slice of cake, guaranteeing you're starving by the time you get to your central London hotel after 9.
That last part I can deal with, but I'd welcome a bring back breakfast campaign, as there really are some things in life that shouldn't be messed with.
Mar 28, 2015, 7:22 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 870
I'm with you on scrapping breakfast on these flights. Whoever changed it is a genius and long may it stay. CW breakfasts are poor at the best of times.
Besides most in J / F will have had breakfast in the lounge and will be ready for Br/Lunch.
Besides most in J / F will have had breakfast in the lounge and will be ready for Br/Lunch.
Mar 28, 2015, 7:40 am
#37
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYLON - AA EXP 1MM, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,234
I usually bring food along for this flight in all cabins. I really feel that the catering is one of the poorest across the BA network.
I do miss the AA catering on this route when they still had a daytime JFK-LHR. In F/J:
Breakfast served after take-off. Appetizer tray (fruit plate, cereal, yogurt, breads, sometimes salmon). Then choice of 3 breakfast entrees or a lunch type salad.
Couple of hrs later - fruit and cheese plate
2hrs before landing - Dinner - usually a huge salad / hot sandwich / sometimes soup / dessert (cookies / ice cream in F).
I do miss the AA catering on this route when they still had a daytime JFK-LHR. In F/J:
Breakfast served after take-off. Appetizer tray (fruit plate, cereal, yogurt, breads, sometimes salmon). Then choice of 3 breakfast entrees or a lunch type salad.
Couple of hrs later - fruit and cheese plate
2hrs before landing - Dinner - usually a huge salad / hot sandwich / sometimes soup / dessert (cookies / ice cream in F).
Apr 6, 2015, 7:35 pm
#38
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,558
I did BOS-LHR in F about a year ago (I think it left around 0800?) and they served the usual breakfast after take-off (fruit, yoghurt, cereals, pastries, then a choice of 3 "mains", which were full English, pancakes, or smoked salmon.
They served a version of the usual "afternoon tea" before landing, but without the scones or chocolates.
I have heard that they've changed it to a brunch since then.
Cheers.
They served a version of the usual "afternoon tea" before landing, but without the scones or chocolates.
I have heard that they've changed it to a brunch since then.
Cheers.
Apr 6, 2015, 10:58 pm
#39
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I would personally prefer that option.
Apr 6, 2015, 11:02 pm
#40
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+1. CW breakfasts are not good and I certainly wouldn't want to see them return.
Apr 7, 2015, 2:47 am
#41
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,691
Many people would have eaten breakfast by the time one is served on the plane (I personally would not wait until long after take-off to eat given how early one needs to get up for these early morning flights) and would not want to have a second breakfast. Brunch options will satisfy those who want breakfast and those who are already ready for lunch.
Apr 7, 2015, 5:25 am
#42
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: BAEC (Gold), PC (Plat), HH (Gold), MR (Gold)
Posts: 2,729
Many people would have eaten breakfast by the time one is served on the plane (I personally would not wait until long after take-off to eat given how early one needs to get up for these early morning flights) and would not want to have a second breakfast. Brunch options will satisfy those who want breakfast and those who are already ready for lunch.
Example - flying CW ex-BOS and staying at a downtown Boston hotel. Up at 05:45, leave hotel maybe 06:30 (before breakfast service has started), airport by 07:00. Get to the lounge - choice of unripe fruit, pot of yogurt, watery oatmeal or a pastry. Basically a low-ranking 2-star motel breakfast, since they enhanced away the hot food a couple of years back. If I'm flying business then I'd like something better than that.
Couple of mouthfuls of fruit just to keep you going maybe and then onto the plane where you get served, essentially, lunch.
Apr 7, 2015, 6:22 am
#43
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
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I think that most put some food in their mouths to keep themselves going until they're fed on the plane. The difference is whether they consider that to be breakfast or not.
Example - flying CW ex-BOS and staying at a downtown Boston hotel. Up at 05:45, leave hotel maybe 06:30 (before breakfast service has started), airport by 07:00. Get to the lounge - choice of unripe fruit, pot of yogurt, watery oatmeal or a pastry. Basically a low-ranking 2-star motel breakfast, since they enhanced away the hot food a couple of years back. If I'm flying business then I'd like something better than that.
Couple of mouthfuls of fruit just to keep you going maybe and then onto the plane where you get served, essentially, lunch.
Example - flying CW ex-BOS and staying at a downtown Boston hotel. Up at 05:45, leave hotel maybe 06:30 (before breakfast service has started), airport by 07:00. Get to the lounge - choice of unripe fruit, pot of yogurt, watery oatmeal or a pastry. Basically a low-ranking 2-star motel breakfast, since they enhanced away the hot food a couple of years back. If I'm flying business then I'd like something better than that.
Couple of mouthfuls of fruit just to keep you going maybe and then onto the plane where you get served, essentially, lunch.
Apr 7, 2015, 6:30 am
#44
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LHR/LGW
Programs: DL Gold, CO Silver
Posts: 1,036
Personally I'd rather have something more substantial later as I won't want to stop for food between Heathrow and home -so a lot depends on how much of a journey the OP has and if they want to linger enroute or not.