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
Jan 14, 2017, 2:48 pm
#2926
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Leeds ,Yorks UK
Programs: KLM Flying Blue Platinum for Life.. BA Gold , oh and some other shiny bits of plastic ...
Posts: 4,238
[QUOTE=Prospero;27761441]Now that I’ve tried and tested BA BOB, I thought i’d share a few notes to the extensive hymn sheet.
When the news first leaked out, I was a little saddened as I feared the introduction of F&B would shift the emphasis from calm hospitality to frenetic inflight sales. Unfortunately my fears were founded today as I sampled the new product. The ET offering had been for many years a token offering which seamed to work well with passengers and crew. It was a statement that ringed when you travel with BA, the airline will look after you and as the flights are in the main so short, there wasn’t really any pressing need to dine onboard. If you wanted something more substantial than a finger sandwich, well CE was a viable optio ....
so sad
When the news first leaked out, I was a little saddened as I feared the introduction of F&B would shift the emphasis from calm hospitality to frenetic inflight sales. Unfortunately my fears were founded today as I sampled the new product. The ET offering had been for many years a token offering which seamed to work well with passengers and crew. It was a statement that ringed when you travel with BA, the airline will look after you and as the flights are in the main so short, there wasn’t really any pressing need to dine onboard. If you wanted something more substantial than a finger sandwich, well CE was a viable optio ....
so sad
Jan 14, 2017, 2:57 pm
#2927
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London
Posts: 6,265
I felt like I was on Ryanair today.
One run through asking for hot food orders, then the trolley takes forever to go down the aisle due to staff incompetence and the way they have set things up.
Then not much later, the duty free run. No trolley of course.
No scratchies offered, but really I felt like I had no toilet access and most announcements were for BA to earn more revenue.
Because we all think about the children... Neither flight today asked for the usual charity donations. I wonder why?!
One run through asking for hot food orders, then the trolley takes forever to go down the aisle due to staff incompetence and the way they have set things up.
Then not much later, the duty free run. No trolley of course.
No scratchies offered, but really I felt like I had no toilet access and most announcements were for BA to earn more revenue.
Because we all think about the children... Neither flight today asked for the usual charity donations. I wonder why?!
Jan 14, 2017, 3:00 pm
#2928
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 343
I felt like I was on Ryanair today.
One run through asking for hot food orders, then the trolley takes forever to go down the aisle due to staff incompetence and the way they have set things up.
Then not much later, the duty free run. No trolley of course.
No scratchies offered, but really I felt like I had no toilet access and most announcements were for BA to earn more revenue.
One run through asking for hot food orders, then the trolley takes forever to go down the aisle due to staff incompetence and the way they have set things up.
Then not much later, the duty free run. No trolley of course.
No scratchies offered, but really I felt like I had no toilet access and most announcements were for BA to earn more revenue.
Nice to see you are the kind of person that expects crew to get it 100% right the first time. I mean they could never have sold food and drink in their lives, let alone from a brand new machine, that is, in fact the incompetent compontent here. Give them a break will you, some of us recieved our one day training 3 months ago!!
Kind regards
BA.MF.CSM
Jan 14, 2017, 3:06 pm
#2930
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London
Posts: 6,265
"Staff incompetence"
Nice to see you are the kind of person that expects crew to get it 100% right the first time. I mean they could never have sold food and drink in their lives, let alone from a brand new machine, that is, in fact the incompetent compontent here. Give them a break will you, some of us recieved our one day training 3 months ago!!
Kind regards
BA.MF.CSM
Nice to see you are the kind of person that expects crew to get it 100% right the first time. I mean they could never have sold food and drink in their lives, let alone from a brand new machine, that is, in fact the incompetent compontent here. Give them a break will you, some of us recieved our one day training 3 months ago!!
Kind regards
BA.MF.CSM
Jan 14, 2017, 3:11 pm
#2931
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
"Staff incompetence"
Nice to see you are the kind of person that expects crew to get it 100% right the first time. I mean they could never have sold food and drink in their lives, let alone from a brand new machine, that is, in fact the incompetent compontent here. Give them a break will you, some of us recieved our one day training 3 months ago!!
Kind regards
BA.MF.CSM
Nice to see you are the kind of person that expects crew to get it 100% right the first time. I mean they could never have sold food and drink in their lives, let alone from a brand new machine, that is, in fact the incompetent compontent here. Give them a break will you, some of us recieved our one day training 3 months ago!!
Kind regards
BA.MF.CSM
It would be interesting to know if there was any in-air beta testing which would have seemingly quickly caught some of the problems with the technology.
Also, amazing there wasn't at least several rounds of online webinars - easy to do and virtually no cost for presenters or viewers.
Jan 14, 2017, 3:29 pm
#2932
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,455
Do I understand it right? I pay premium for a product that is actually worse than Ryanair/Easyjet? (At least there I can expect to buy whatever I want reasonably fast..)
So why are the fares much higher than Ryanair/Easyjet then?
So why are the fares much higher than Ryanair/Easyjet then?
Jan 14, 2017, 3:38 pm
#2933
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 344
BA can charge what they like.
Don't like it? Choose someone else.
Jan 14, 2017, 3:45 pm
#2936
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Programs: BA bronze
Posts: 432
Easyjet do as well.
For a trip in a couple of weeks, by buying Easyjet I saved £140 over a BA HBO fare and got a ticket that came with fast track security, priority boarding, free changes, an exit row seat, a checked bag, guaranteed two bags in the cabin, and a voucher for BOB. Compared with BA, I don't get lounge access.
For a trip in a couple of weeks, by buying Easyjet I saved £140 over a BA HBO fare and got a ticket that came with fast track security, priority boarding, free changes, an exit row seat, a checked bag, guaranteed two bags in the cabin, and a voucher for BOB. Compared with BA, I don't get lounge access.
Jan 14, 2017, 3:59 pm
#2937
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 343
I really do think you are all being a little harsh.....
This game changing(not necessarily for the better I might add), service has been on the go for 3, 3!!!! days.
It was always going to take a little while to bed in, being such a fundamental change. Lots of comments about service times etc, simple truth is that there is no failsafe way to introduce this new service, everyone, in front, and behind the scenes is working our/their hardest to get this right.
I don't think there is a business on the planet that would get such a big change right immediately and faultlessly.
Kind regards
BA.MF.CSM
This game changing(not necessarily for the better I might add), service has been on the go for 3, 3!!!! days.
It was always going to take a little while to bed in, being such a fundamental change. Lots of comments about service times etc, simple truth is that there is no failsafe way to introduce this new service, everyone, in front, and behind the scenes is working our/their hardest to get this right.
I don't think there is a business on the planet that would get such a big change right immediately and faultlessly.
Kind regards
BA.MF.CSM
Jan 14, 2017, 4:01 pm
#2938
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,455
By the way.. ask Swiss on how well their "BOB" concept worked (around 2003/2004) - I think it ended with nearly bankrupting the second time (after 2001 SR, RIP), and being bought by LH for peanuts..
Jan 14, 2017, 4:06 pm
#2939
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
Littlegirl specifically mentioned technology problems that need to be addressed, and it seems unanimous from cabin crew there was limited training that took place several months ago.
In other words, it does appear to be rather shoddy implementation - of course, not knowing the details.
Jan 15, 2017, 12:49 am
#2940
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London
Posts: 6,265
I'm also curious how much wastage and processing costs there is. Half empty trolleys of food go back to a central place, have to either be thrown out or checked and repacked. Checking isn't simple either. Use by dates, ensuring food hasn't been kept out of the chilled zone for too long etc.
My guess is at the end of the return flight, anything perishable is thrown out and anything like chocolate, crisps etc retained, re-sorted etc.
Sounds like a lot of cost overall.
My guess is at the end of the return flight, anything perishable is thrown out and anything like chocolate, crisps etc retained, re-sorted etc.
Sounds like a lot of cost overall.