Sep 29, 2016, 2:55 am
Last edit by: Aus_Mal
This thread is for opinions on the concept of Buy on Board, concerned with the rights or wrongs of the decision to introduce it.
An information thread exists for your questions, particularly if they are on factual matters, here:
Buy on board: Information guide for BA shorthaul economy services
There is a separate thread for experiences, anecdotes, reactions and related comments, which is to be found here:
Buy on board: Experiences and reactions from BA's shorthaul economy services
Useful sub-links
chongcao posted a comparison of other oneworld airlines' BOB prices
Not happy about these changes?
If you have an existing booking, you may be able to complain and get 1000 Avios or cancel for free until 28 days before departure. BA's complaint form.
However, in November 2016, phone calls to BA indicated that "no refunds would be given as food & drinks were complimentary and not part of the T&C."
An information thread exists for your questions, particularly if they are on factual matters, here:
Buy on board: Information guide for BA shorthaul economy services
There is a separate thread for experiences, anecdotes, reactions and related comments, which is to be found here:
Buy on board: Experiences and reactions from BA's shorthaul economy services
Useful sub-links
chongcao posted a comparison of other oneworld airlines' BOB prices
Not happy about these changes?
If you have an existing booking, you may be able to complain and get 1000 Avios or cancel for free until 28 days before departure. BA's complaint form.
However, in November 2016, phone calls to BA indicated that "no refunds would be given as food & drinks were complimentary and not part of the T&C."
Buy on board: Implemented on BA short haul - opinions on the concept
Sep 29, 2016, 4:11 am
#151
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond, Mucci de buveur de gin
Posts: 3,060
Just came across a job advert......anyone interested?
"Lounge Warden
Location: Vacancies at all BA lounges worldwide
British Airways, the iconic UK brand, is currently recruiting Lounge Wardens to supplement our existing members of lounge staff in our luxurious and calming lounges at locations across the world. These vacancies have arisen as a result of our recent upgrade to our on-board menu whereby passengers now have to buy mouth wateringly scrumptious sandwiches, Percy Pigs and drinks.
Your main duties will involve hovering around the crisps, nuts and savoury offerings in our lounges as well as paying close attention to how many cans of drinks lounge customers are taking from the fridges. When flights are announced in the lounges, you will take a pro-active approach to tidying unopened cans of drinks and unopened packs of crisps and placing them safely back out from the reach of over zealous passengers. You will also be on the look out for customers who seem to be carrying overly heavy hand luggage which may contain lounge items and will inspect such items before customers leave the lounge.
Salary: negotiable but dependent on how much pilfering you prevent."
"Lounge Warden
Location: Vacancies at all BA lounges worldwide
British Airways, the iconic UK brand, is currently recruiting Lounge Wardens to supplement our existing members of lounge staff in our luxurious and calming lounges at locations across the world. These vacancies have arisen as a result of our recent upgrade to our on-board menu whereby passengers now have to buy mouth wateringly scrumptious sandwiches, Percy Pigs and drinks.
Your main duties will involve hovering around the crisps, nuts and savoury offerings in our lounges as well as paying close attention to how many cans of drinks lounge customers are taking from the fridges. When flights are announced in the lounges, you will take a pro-active approach to tidying unopened cans of drinks and unopened packs of crisps and placing them safely back out from the reach of over zealous passengers. You will also be on the look out for customers who seem to be carrying overly heavy hand luggage which may contain lounge items and will inspect such items before customers leave the lounge.
Salary: negotiable but dependent on how much pilfering you prevent."
Sep 29, 2016, 4:11 am
#152
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,737
I honestly believe that the only way BA brand can now survive is if they split off their shorthaul network and rename it, like Cathay and Dragonair, Singapore & Silk Air, Thai & Smile. To keep things as they are will only cause long term damage to the brand and reputation of BA.
Sep 29, 2016, 4:11 am
#153
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: UK
Programs: MUCCI, British Airways Executive Club Gold
Posts: 1,795
Yes I've had the miles credited for my upcoming Euro Traveller sectors and the 28 day cancellation rule is penalty free.
Sep 29, 2016, 4:11 am
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,094
I'm loving the internal forum, such a happy place full of positive employees proud to work for a great British airline. 
Sep 29, 2016, 4:13 am
#155
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
Most of my thoughts have already been voiced here, but two things remain.
1) Will they go contactless for payment? THe current credit card system seems pretty inefficient - I'm not a frequent on board purchaser but transactions seem to take ages with manual entry of credit card details more often than not.
2) I see soft drinks are going to 330ml - so that's an end to the mini cans of Coke etc? Or will they carry some smaller ones too for mixers? If they're scrapping the mini cans, would that also affect lounge supply? I hate the small cans.
1) Will they go contactless for payment? THe current credit card system seems pretty inefficient - I'm not a frequent on board purchaser but transactions seem to take ages with manual entry of credit card details more often than not.
2) I see soft drinks are going to 330ml - so that's an end to the mini cans of Coke etc? Or will they carry some smaller ones too for mixers? If they're scrapping the mini cans, would that also affect lounge supply? I hate the small cans.
Sep 29, 2016, 4:13 am
#156
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: North of Watford Gap
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 602
Virgin Trains on the east coast have conveniently just re-launched an earlier offer from Edinburgh (and Aberdeen line stations) to London for flat fare advances... Quite timely really!
https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.co.../plane-relief/
Personally I've been taking short haul flying away from BA and this is probably going to reduce it to nearly nil even in Club Europe I expect.
Quite timely really!https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.co.../plane-relief/
Personally I've been taking short haul flying away from BA and this is probably going to reduce it to nearly nil even in Club Europe I expect.
Sep 29, 2016, 4:13 am
#157
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,076
"You will be able to select from the seasonally inspired menu [...]"
... which means ploughman sandwich in the winter and crisps in the summer...?
"[...] and buy your food and drinks in one easy transaction."
... because on FR or EZ you need to pay for each item separately...? Am I missing something?
These and other changes are annoying, but the style in which they are presented is even more so - does BA's marketing agency really think that BA's customers have an IQ of less than 70?
... which means ploughman sandwich in the winter and crisps in the summer...?
"[...] and buy your food and drinks in one easy transaction."
... because on FR or EZ you need to pay for each item separately...? Am I missing something?
These and other changes are annoying, but the style in which they are presented is even more so - does BA's marketing agency really think that BA's customers have an IQ of less than 70?
Sep 29, 2016, 4:16 am
#158
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: BA Blue, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold
Posts: 402
Very disappointing.
I'll particularly mourn the loss of my free Gin and Tonic!(and the thai street food nuts they give out currently).
I can't stand M&S sandwiches so won't be doing any BOB. I guess the proof of whether this is a good move or not will be borne out in the medium/long term. It seems a bit crazy to try and compete with the LCCs by becoming an LCC yourself but there you go, I've no doubt they know more than me about running an airline.
In one respect it liberates me to look at alternate options flying short haul in the UK and Europe. Probably for too long I've been lazy and just paid to fly BA even if it's quite a bit more than the competition, just because i'm used to it and don't need to faff around bringing money for a drink etc. In fact I can't remember when I last flew short haul that wasn't BA (Maybe the old BMI days). So it gives me an opportunity to dip my toe in the other LCCs and see how I get on. I'm under no illusion that i'm not remotely important to BA and that they won't miss me though ;-)
It does grate that they try and sell it as an upgrade. though And play the old customer feedback
card. I guess that was the endgame from the start, keep reducing the free food options until people complain and then make money on BOB.
I'll particularly mourn the loss of my free Gin and Tonic!(and the thai street food nuts they give out currently).
I can't stand M&S sandwiches so won't be doing any BOB. I guess the proof of whether this is a good move or not will be borne out in the medium/long term. It seems a bit crazy to try and compete with the LCCs by becoming an LCC yourself but there you go, I've no doubt they know more than me about running an airline.
In one respect it liberates me to look at alternate options flying short haul in the UK and Europe. Probably for too long I've been lazy and just paid to fly BA even if it's quite a bit more than the competition, just because i'm used to it and don't need to faff around bringing money for a drink etc. In fact I can't remember when I last flew short haul that wasn't BA (Maybe the old BMI days). So it gives me an opportunity to dip my toe in the other LCCs and see how I get on. I'm under no illusion that i'm not remotely important to BA and that they won't miss me though ;-)
It does grate that they try and sell it as an upgrade. though And play the old customer feedback
card. I guess that was the endgame from the start, keep reducing the free food options until people complain and then make money on BOB.
Sep 29, 2016, 4:18 am
#159
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: BA Blue, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold
Posts: 402
Much like Brexit, I was hoping that this wouldn't come to fruition 
The whole idea of BoB is dissapointing, but even more so that even water will be charged for. The lack of free catering for BA Gold is also upsetting. Will BA improve their lounge offerings to enable status pax to BoB (bring on board)? IB lounges have loads of sandwiches and salads that are "good to go". I shall certainly be taking some drinks for the plane (mini cans galore!).
Over the past few years I've been flying more and more with Ryanair, but am happiliy paying up to £30-50 more for BA on a shorthual flight. The chances of that happening now are very slim.
After years of enhancements, taking the line "this is what our pax want" is just another kick in the teeth. Of course people are going to want "upgraded" catering when you swap a meal tray for an all day deli bag, then a lunch box, then a wrap, then to a single mini bag of crisps
I think they'd find that most people would rather "free" than "paid for", not that they'd ever ask.
The whole idea of BoB is dissapointing, but even more so that even water will be charged for. The lack of free catering for BA Gold is also upsetting. Will BA improve their lounge offerings to enable status pax to BoB (bring on board)? IB lounges have loads of sandwiches and salads that are "good to go". I shall certainly be taking some drinks for the plane (mini cans galore!).
Over the past few years I've been flying more and more with Ryanair, but am happiliy paying up to £30-50 more for BA on a shorthual flight. The chances of that happening now are very slim.
After years of enhancements, taking the line "this is what our pax want" is just another kick in the teeth. Of course people are going to want "upgraded" catering when you swap a meal tray for an all day deli bag, then a lunch box, then a wrap, then to a single mini bag of crisps
I think they'd find that most people would rather "free" than "paid for", not that they'd ever ask.
Sep 29, 2016, 4:18 am
#160
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,839
As always with these things, my thoughts immediately move to "what's next?". What else can they unbundle & monetize? Lounges seem an obvious target.
Then they can move to Long Haul. IFE is surely ripe for a charging structure? (Although given how frequently it falls over maybe not...).
At least this should put and end to people referring to "LCCs" as a derogatory term referring to most airlines other than BA. At this point BA shorthaul operations are just a bloated, operationally ineffective poor mans Ryanair or Easyjet running 5 years behind the competition.
Then they can move to Long Haul. IFE is surely ripe for a charging structure? (Although given how frequently it falls over maybe not...).
At least this should put and end to people referring to "LCCs" as a derogatory term referring to most airlines other than BA. At this point BA shorthaul operations are just a bloated, operationally ineffective poor mans Ryanair or Easyjet running 5 years behind the competition.
Sep 29, 2016, 4:18 am
#161
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Ipswich
Programs: BAEC Blue, BAPP
Posts: 158
I wonder how this will effect existing bookings which were sold with drinks and food included?
Sep 29, 2016, 4:20 am
#162
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: BA
Posts: 57
"Upgrading our food offering"
Hilarious BA. This is an insulting email
Sep 29, 2016, 4:20 am
#163
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 2,999
Does anyone know if airlines in the UK legally have to provide free water - or is that myth?
Secondly why LCY/STN next summer - is that due to staff or catering contracts - or just to see what the reaction is out of LHR/LGW before hitting key business corporate contracts.
Finally does anyone think that Mr Cruz is being set up as a fall guy here?
Oddly that's a bit of a regular route - my preference used to be U2 from Southend, but that's died a death. But if you fly that route, of course you don't have LH flying it - only Eurowings or BA into TXL.
And of course TXL will close at some point, so every airline to Berlin will use the same airport - 4U/BA/U2/FR. And of course SXF is accessible by public transport unlike TXL.
With todays news just booked LCY-TXL outbound as the timings suit - always fly back TXL-LHR on BA, but Norwegian back for the first time. I hear good things about them. Free wifi, and a more interesting selection of BoB http://www.norwegian.com/globalasset...short-haul.pdf
So my first switched flight! I can reach LGW from North London just as quick as LHR, so no great loss. I see this as a great opportunity to experience new airlines!
Secondly why LCY/STN next summer - is that due to staff or catering contracts - or just to see what the reaction is out of LHR/LGW before hitting key business corporate contracts.
Finally does anyone think that Mr Cruz is being set up as a fall guy here?
And of course TXL will close at some point, so every airline to Berlin will use the same airport - 4U/BA/U2/FR. And of course SXF is accessible by public transport unlike TXL.
With todays news just booked LCY-TXL outbound as the timings suit - always fly back TXL-LHR on BA, but Norwegian back for the first time. I hear good things about them. Free wifi, and a more interesting selection of BoB http://www.norwegian.com/globalasset...short-haul.pdf
So my first switched flight! I can reach LGW from North London just as quick as LHR, so no great loss. I see this as a great opportunity to experience new airlines!
Sep 29, 2016, 4:21 am
#164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,737
Will we be able to spend Avios at M&S now, too?
Sep 29, 2016, 4:22 am
#165
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 86
At this point it makes sense for me to simply get an Amex Plat for lounge access (no more TP runs to maintain at least silver) and stick with LCCs. Even when you add all the additional charges (seat selection, early boarding, etc) it would still be cheaper than BA. Massively increases flexibility too...