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
Dec 29, 2016, 2:04 pm
#2266
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: 30,540
Dec 29, 2016, 2:09 pm
#2267
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: 30,540
Before the transition period in mid-2016, I think the vast majority of food-related complaints have been from people on bands 1 and 2 flights (under 2 hours) where they got crisps, etc or specific routes that were under-catered for their length (e.g band 4 from LGW). Band 3 meals have usually been positively received on FT and pre-transition band 4 even more so.
Dec 29, 2016, 2:20 pm
#2268
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Before the transition period in mid-2016, I think the vast majority of food-related complaints have been from people on bands 1 and 2 flights (under 2 hours) where they got crisps, etc or specific routes that were under-catered for their length (e.g band 4 from LGW). Band 3 meals have usually been positively received on FT and pre-transition band 4 even more so.
Dec 29, 2016, 2:22 pm
#2269
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: LHR / LAS
Programs: BA GfL, GGL/CCR
Posts: 2,409
Before the transition period in mid-2016, I think the vast majority of food-related complaints have been from people on bands 1 and 2 flights (under 2 hours) where they got crisps, etc or specific routes that were under-catered for their length (e.g band 4 from LGW). Band 3 meals have usually been positively received on FT and pre-transition band 4 even more so.
So theres a clear distinction and putting paying seprately in addition to the base fare to one side, bands 1 and 2 appear better off and bands 3 and 4 worse off.
Dec 29, 2016, 2:53 pm
#2270
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: 30,540
Again, quality remains a criterion too. I'm no big fan of M&S regular lunch options range (not bad, just not good either) but I'm sure it will please a certain public. The urban eats or whatever they were called stuff was ok, again, not bad but not very good either with a couple of random exceptions. Tastes, of course, are personal so I expect a few vibrant threads in mid-January!
Dec 29, 2016, 3:05 pm
#2271
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold; LH FTL; IHG Diamond; Marriott Gold; ALL Gold
Posts: 1,758
Not true. Based on a lengthy conversation with a flight attendant this week, CE will be able to purchase from the ET BoB selection (at the same prices) after everyone in ET has had the opportunity to. Not sure what will be left for them to choose from in practice, but apparently that is an option for CE pax if they don't like the CE catering.
Dec 29, 2016, 3:20 pm
#2272
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,663
Not true. Based on a lengthy conversation with a flight attendant this week, CE will be able to purchase from the ET BoB selection (at the same prices) after everyone in ET has had the opportunity to. Not sure what will be left for them to choose from in practice, but apparently that is an option for CE pax if they don't like the CE catering.
Dec 29, 2016, 3:56 pm
#2273
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: LHR / LAS
Programs: BA GfL, GGL/CCR
Posts: 2,409
I think (indeed assuming we do not take the extra payment into account) band 3 for frequent flyers, but admittedly not for one-off/occasional passengers. That's because on a given flight you only had two options (normally a sandwich+bun pack or a vegetarian salad) while now you get 5. However, if you did it regularly (I'm on those flights every week), you'd get four rotations over cycles of (I believe) 2 months with each rotation having a different wrap/bun and salad, so in effect, over, say, a year, you'd typically try quite a few different things. But yes, I think that's a fair summary!
Again, quality remains a criterion too. I'm no big fan of M&S regular lunch options range (not bad, just not good either) but I'm sure it will please a certain public. The urban eats or whatever they were called stuff was ok, again, not bad but not very good either with a couple of random exceptions. Tastes, of course, are personal so I expect a few vibrant threads in mid-January!
Again, quality remains a criterion too. I'm no big fan of M&S regular lunch options range (not bad, just not good either) but I'm sure it will please a certain public. The urban eats or whatever they were called stuff was ok, again, not bad but not very good either with a couple of random exceptions. Tastes, of course, are personal so I expect a few vibrant threads in mid-January!
very much so re the vibrancy of this thread to come, Im sure this thread will increase expotentially come Jan.
Thanks for your reply - it puts things in perspective for me and now understand why some people are annoyed.^
Last edited by crazyarmadillo; Dec 29, 2016 at 4:09 pm Reason: for some unknown I referenced Boots Shapers so deleted this note to self - boots does not equal M&S - tis the season !
Dec 29, 2016, 3:57 pm
#2274
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LON, MAD
Programs: KE MC Premium, BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, AZ FA+, Melia Gold
Posts: 305
I really wish they would stock Coke Zero, most airlines have been offering it for a few years now!
Dec 30, 2016, 3:45 am
#2275
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA BLUE BADGE
Posts: 1,323
I've received the following reply...........
Thanks for coming back to us about the refund of your prepaid seating. I apologise for the delay in response.
I'd like to inform you that, as you have cancelled your booking there is no refund due for the prepaid seat charge. I'm sorry to disappoint you.
My instinct is to let the small claims court decide the issue. Does anyone have any precedent or advice?
Dec 30, 2016, 4:29 am
#2276
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Split between MAN & AKL
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, SkyMiles Gold, Mucci deux fois
Posts: 619
I am on the 1395 MAN-LHR on the 11th, though didn't realise the significance until today.
I'll take my picnic glass with a screw lid, have a G&T in the lounge and take it with me on board.
When the trolley comes along, I might ask for a cube or two of ice.
Such a rebel...
I'll take my picnic glass with a screw lid, have a G&T in the lounge and take it with me on board.
When the trolley comes along, I might ask for a cube or two of ice.
Such a rebel...
Dec 30, 2016, 4:32 am
#2277
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: 63,821
Dec 30, 2016, 5:14 am
#2278
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Executive Club: Gold - Flying Blue: Gold
Posts: 1,382
I don't understand this excitement about the M&S offering. It is plain boring. On a long flight (Band 3 or Band 4), there should have been 2 or 3 proper meal options. And what about the full English Breakfast? That was something everyone enjoyed.
Honestly, a part from a Gin&Tonic, there is nothing there that I would buy. Especially not those Pircy Pig things.
I will bring my own drinks and food and I will make sure the FAs get they we do not agree with this whole cr$p.
Honestly, a part from a Gin&Tonic, there is nothing there that I would buy. Especially not those Pircy Pig things.
I will bring my own drinks and food and I will make sure the FAs get they we do not agree with this whole cr$p.
Dec 30, 2016, 5:23 am
#2279
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,350
Dec 30, 2016, 5:31 am
#2280
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK.
Programs: Nowt of note.
Posts: 1,628
Why don't they at least offer some of the "brewed specially for M&S" beers? Heineken or Old Speckled Hen and that's it? 