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
#2176
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,963
Sometimes I too wonder if people are familiar with the concept of paying for things. It seems that some think that when they buy transportation they also buy lunch. I wonder if they also demand food and drink when they go to movies or when they go shopping. Perhaps the next time I have my haircut I should tell my barber that I expect to be fed because only getting a haircut is not good enough value...
#2177
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
Sometimes I too wonder if people are familiar with the concept of paying for things. It seems that some think that when they buy transportation they also buy lunch. I wonder if they also demand food and drink when they go to movies or when they go shopping. Perhaps the next time I have my haircut I should tell my barber that I expect to be fed because only getting a haircut is not good enough value...
#2178
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,676
As expected, people are referring to the fact that BA sold (what is probably) a small number of tickets promising that the passengers would receive some sort of complimentary in-flight service. The fact that BA did not make an exception for people who bought their tickets before a ceretain day is bad. I agree. However, my comment was more about going forward. This thread is about how BoB is a bad thing in general not about how BA misrepresented what people can expect onboard for a few months. It has been a few months now since BA announced the change, and all those who bought the tickets after the announcement should know perfectly well what to expect.
#2179
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
As expected, people are referring to the fact that BA sold (what is probably) a small number of tickets promising that the passengers would receive some sort of complimentary in-flight service. The fact that BA did not make an exception for people who bought their tickets before a ceretain day is bad. I agree. However, my comment was more about going forward. This thread is about how BoB is a bad thing in general not about how BA misrepresented what people can expect onboard for a few months. It has been a few months now since BA announced the change, and all those who bought the tickets after the announcement should know perfectly well what to expect.
Is BA advertising the new BOB policy?
I don't see anything about it on the U.S. homepage of BA.com
On BA.com, it does mention BOB when booking a ticket.
On Expedia, it only mentions it if you click on a secondary link.
They're not hiding it - but I imagine many people will not have noticed, particularly if they are connecting from long-haul flights.
From the website it doesn't seem like they are trying to call attention to it. In fact, there is an alert at the top of the homepage "Changes to baggage policies and optional extras" which leads to "Additional baggage allowance between London and Tokyo. For flights purchased from 1 July 2016, the checked baggage allowance for customers flying in World Traveller between London and Tokyo (Narita and Haneda) will increase from one to two pieces."
#2180
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,676
I still believe that the vast majority of passengers do not care, nor do they even know what 'full service' meant at the time of BA's creation. Especially, since a good proportion of them could not have afforded the prices that BA used to charge at that time. Air travel in economy has been transformed by low cost airlines and fierce competition. I really do not understand why people who want to pay a premium to eat and drink on the plane cannot pay that premium on the plane rather than have it included into the price of the ticket. If I don't usually eat when I fly shorthaul, why should I pay for it? And, given that I pay 100-200 Dollars less than I used to, I would rather pay the 20 when and if I want to drink or eat something then go back to the days of regulated and expensive air travel.
#2181
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
And by the way, from BA's current website, "About British Airways: British Airways is a full service global airline, offering year-round low fares with an extensive global route network flying to and from centrally-located airports."
Air travel in economy has been transformed by low cost airlines and fierce competition. I really do not understand why people who want to pay a premium to eat and drink on the plane cannot pay that premium on the plane rather than have it included into the price of the ticket. If I don't usually eat when I fly shorthaul, why should I pay for it? And, given that I pay 100-200 Dollars less than I used to, I would rather pay the 20 when and if I want to drink or eat something then go back to the days of regulated and expensive air travel.
I have no problem with BA going to BOB for Y in Europe. I would have thought they might have made exceptions for GGL or GC or OW Emerald.
I think the strong reaction here is because this isn't a stand alone cut - it is one of many big and small cuts across all cabins, and more than cuts, planes that seem held together by tape, dirty cabins, and the safety flubs here and there.
If BA had been keeping up its hard and soft product in the premium cabins, I think most of the folks here probably would have defended BOB.
#2182
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,882
I still believe that the vast majority of passengers do not care, nor do they even know what 'full service' meant at the time of BA's creation. Especially, since a good proportion of them could not have afforded the prices that BA used to charge at that time. Air travel in economy has been transformed by low cost airlines and fierce competition. I really do not understand why people who want to pay a premium to eat and drink on the plane cannot pay that premium on the plane rather than have it included into the price of the ticket. If I don't usually eat when I fly shorthaul, why should I pay for it? And, given that I pay 100-200 Dollars less than I used to, I would rather pay the 20 when and if I want to drink or eat something then go back to the days of regulated and expensive air travel.
The penny pinching is not just BOB, it's happening throughout the airline and, from my perspective, it's gone too far. It may be good value for you on cheap foreign tickets but those of us paying ever increasing U.K. prices we are certainly not enjoying value.
#2183
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,676
Those of us purchasing tickets from the UK regions are paying considerably more than we used to for our long haul trips in J and F. Complementary refreshments are part of that fare, you may pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars less for your tickets and enjoy Club Europe to connect to your long haul. We on the other hand get to travel domestic economy for significantly more and now we have to pay for water or other refreshment.
The penny pinching is not just BOB, it's happening throughout the airline and, from my perspective, it's gone too far. It may be good value for you on cheap foreign tickets but those of us paying ever increasing U.K. prices we are certainly not enjoying value.
The penny pinching is not just BOB, it's happening throughout the airline and, from my perspective, it's gone too far. It may be good value for you on cheap foreign tickets but those of us paying ever increasing U.K. prices we are certainly not enjoying value.
Last edited by Andriyko; Dec 26, 2016 at 9:55 pm
#2184
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
I understand your point, however, free food and drinks is not a perk of being a GCH. I would love for it to be one but it is not something that we're getting. U.S. based airlines provide that perk because their top elites do not get lounge access when traveling domestically, while BA's do. IB does not do it while AY does. Perhaps BA thinks that it has other strong reasons for people to choose to fly with it. As I mentioned before, people who want to pay the premium are very welcome to pay it on board without forcing the rest of us to have the cost of food and drink included into the price when we do not want it.
My only point was it would have been an easy way for BA to mitigate dissatisfaction w the new policy - and as Tobias-UK points out you statements about lower fares are market specific.
You say, "Perhaps BA thinks that it has other strong reasons for people to choose to fly with it."
BA management's business strategy is "show me the f*****g money" as articulated by the parent company CEO. Their ability to execute this is based not on innovations, high levels of service, great value or flawless execution, but a dominant position on what is essentially a public utility called Heathrow Airport.
#2185
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,882
#2186
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,676
I believe DMs on DL get free Sky Club membership - for AA and UA, many of their top level fliers have affinity credit cards that give lounge access.
My only point was it would have been an easy way for BA to mitigate dissatisfaction w the new policy - and as Tobias-UK points out you statements about lower fares are market specific.
My only point was it would have been an easy way for BA to mitigate dissatisfaction w the new policy - and as Tobias-UK points out you statements about lower fares are market specific.
You say, "Perhaps BA thinks that it has other strong reasons for people to choose to fly with it."
BA management's business strategy is "show me the f*****g money" as articulated by the parent company CEO. Their ability to execute this is based not on innovations, high levels of service, great value or flawless execution, but a dominant position on what is essentially a public utility called Heathrow Airport.
BA management's business strategy is "show me the f*****g money" as articulated by the parent company CEO. Their ability to execute this is based not on innovations, high levels of service, great value or flawless execution, but a dominant position on what is essentially a public utility called Heathrow Airport.
I maintain the view that the introduction of BoB is the result of the prices having fallen so low, so I do not think that they need to fall even lower (I won't mind if they do though). BA is not doing it to lower the prices. BA is doing it because prices have fallen so low that the same product cannot be maintained. You and many others obviously disagree.
Last edited by Andriyko; Dec 27, 2016 at 3:00 am Reason: Spelling mistakes
#2187
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,348
So just like you not understanding passengers' reaction, I honestly cannot understand why people would be happy to get less for the same price, which is exactly what is happening.
For what it's worth I also do not share your perception BA are withdrawing perks because fares have gone down, and i think that if there is a relevance of lcc's it is more along the lines you rightly mentioned earlier (if not in those words) that LCCs have now got away with only offering transportation plus increasing ancillary revenues for year so maybe we can get away with it too. As discussed earlier I personally think that whether this will work or not remains to be seen.
incidentally, I agree with you that the question of transition, whilst mishandled by BA, is minor and not what this is mostly about.
By by contrast I disagree with your and Littlegirl's point which sort of makes it sound people are rather ridiculous for wanting inclusions with their full service airline plane ticket. The fact people primarily buy transportation does not imply they only buy that, in just the same way that if you buy a night in a b&b you predominantly buy overnight accommodation, the establishment also boasted about the great breakfast they offer and if they suddenly charge for it because many hotels do that might change the value of the proposition for you regardless of whether you still decide to go there or not. So yes of course hotels could now start charging separately for bathroom use, or for the internet (what, do you also expect free wifi when you go to the hairdressers? Can't you buy your own? ) or for using the gym (do you also expect restaurants to offer a free gym? People pay membership home to go to one so why not here, I'm starting to worry about people! ).
I think it is rather pointless, however, (and to clarify this is a generic point, not directed to you) to make unhappy passengers sound as if they were some sort of unreasonable spoilt brats who should just go bother another airline when they are unhappy that they used to get a+b+c for Ł100 five year ago, then a+b two years ago and now only a. If BA can get away with it then that's honestly great for them, if not, the employees and the passengers will pay a further price while the big managers will have safely moved on and so be it too, but it would be quite extraordinary if the airline industry was the only one where people were expected to get less for the same amount of money at the individual level without the right to express dissatisfaction.
Last edited by orbitmic; Dec 27, 2016 at 1:19 am
#2188
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,359
BoB just represents another step in the hollowing out of the short haul ET product - uncomfortable seats, no papers at outstations, shrunken legroom, removal of the hot meal on band 4, enhanced lavatory queues. I think people react badly when something is removed, but removing and making them pay for the replacement feels a painful tweak of the nose. The overall package of changes has made a once relatively price insensitive BA customer very aware of other options. As a result I have just one BA shorthaul booking in 2017 and that's an RFS.
After a week where I've separately had a 24 hour technical delay and also been shunted off the UD and dumped in a LD seat with the extra legroom seats blocked, not feeling too warm and fluffy about BA.
After a week where I've separately had a 24 hour technical delay and also been shunted off the UD and dumped in a LD seat with the extra legroom seats blocked, not feeling too warm and fluffy about BA.
#2189
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,462
I'm going to pitch in since it seems to be a "let's beat up Andriyko" thread! Or at least his perfectly reasonable opinions.
I'm mainly affected on the domestic legs since I'm often (but not always) CE thereafter, and on balance I would have preferred that BA not go down this route. I am lucky in that there are very good lounges at the relevant airports. Personally I would have preferred them to have come up with some clever idea - I don't know what it is - which would have been innovative and different to other airlines. Though BA's version of BOB has some interesting touches, basically it's the same as Brussels Airline / Aer Lingus / Vueling.
However, I am certainly less vituperative about this compared to some others in this thread and I think it's not a bad idea to give it a go and see what happens. I have plenty of BA shorthaul bookings coming up, over 100 I would guess, and I can't see that changing.
Incidentally the argument against this I find most persuasive is the one headingwest expressed to me over a coffee (paid for!) in Bratislava: the free offering is part of the "welcome aboard, great to see you" hospitality pitch, which will be difficult to replace or do differently.
So pragmatically I shall watch and see how it works out on the day, I shall give it a go myself, and then reach a considered opinion. The routes to watch are the LHR and LCY routes where there is real competition: FRA, GVA, CDG, EDI, VIE, Italy. I don't quite get this "once gone, the customers won't easily come back" idea, on shorthaul it's so price sensitive that there's nothing that a few weeks of price cutting and rebranding won't solve. And BA have probably the best mailing list in the industry.
I'm mainly affected on the domestic legs since I'm often (but not always) CE thereafter, and on balance I would have preferred that BA not go down this route. I am lucky in that there are very good lounges at the relevant airports. Personally I would have preferred them to have come up with some clever idea - I don't know what it is - which would have been innovative and different to other airlines. Though BA's version of BOB has some interesting touches, basically it's the same as Brussels Airline / Aer Lingus / Vueling.
However, I am certainly less vituperative about this compared to some others in this thread and I think it's not a bad idea to give it a go and see what happens. I have plenty of BA shorthaul bookings coming up, over 100 I would guess, and I can't see that changing.
Incidentally the argument against this I find most persuasive is the one headingwest expressed to me over a coffee (paid for!) in Bratislava: the free offering is part of the "welcome aboard, great to see you" hospitality pitch, which will be difficult to replace or do differently.
So pragmatically I shall watch and see how it works out on the day, I shall give it a go myself, and then reach a considered opinion. The routes to watch are the LHR and LCY routes where there is real competition: FRA, GVA, CDG, EDI, VIE, Italy. I don't quite get this "once gone, the customers won't easily come back" idea, on shorthaul it's so price sensitive that there's nothing that a few weeks of price cutting and rebranding won't solve. And BA have probably the best mailing list in the industry.
#2190
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,348
The fact that a market is price sensitive does not imply that it is fully elastic, far from it, and in many ways, BA has been benefitting from that for years. People do build loyalties, corporate contracts and policies (two different but equally important things) and reputational factors have been well-evidenced to play a significant role in purchase habits in both air travel and other industries, and is also well evidenced not to be symmetric (ie it does take much longer to build up a reputation than to break it down).