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 18, 2017, 5:22 am
#3046
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,661
Jan 18, 2017, 5:24 am
#3047
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold; Marriott Plat
Posts: 147
Now I see Easyjet vs BA the same as London Overground vs Southern Rail. In both cases the orange one is cheaper and more reliable, but you sometimes need to take the other one to get to your destination.
As with most other posters, I used to always fly BA without looking at other options. I no longer see them as offering value for money (either my money or my employers).
As with most other posters, I used to always fly BA without looking at other options. I no longer see them as offering value for money (either my money or my employers).
Jan 18, 2017, 5:24 am
#3048
Suspended
Join Date: May 2011
Location: London
Programs: *A G, OW S.
Posts: 996
Low cost airlines generally attract a 3 star rating.
Jan 18, 2017, 5:27 am
#3049
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,398
Jan 18, 2017, 5:31 am
#3050
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,163
There's no way they would even maintain 4 stars in the current situation. Assuming everything works with BoB, then you are looking at probably a 3. If it's not fixed soon (or abandoned) then most likely it would achieve a lower level than EZ, which is a 3. Well published failings and cuts to the F and J products would also weigh heavily on any new rating.
Jan 18, 2017, 5:31 am
#3051
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London
Programs: BAEC gold, Marriott gold, Hilton gold
Posts: 1,922
I am not too miffed about BoB. I never really cared for the free 'meal' in economy anyway. But I also wouldn't expect to pay a premium for BA over other low cost carriers.
I am unlikely to buy anything on board. If I want a sandwich I'll buy it from Pret a Manger in the terminal.
If BA sell freshly brewed coffee from an espresso machine (as you get in business on RJ) then I would willingly pay for that.
I am unlikely to buy anything on board. If I want a sandwich I'll buy it from Pret a Manger in the terminal.
If BA sell freshly brewed coffee from an espresso machine (as you get in business on RJ) then I would willingly pay for that.
Jan 18, 2017, 5:47 am
#3052
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,398
If you happen to be near a Sainsburys on the day before your flight, check out their sandwich of "Maple cured British bacon, tomato and apollo lettuce with mayonnaise on malted bread" - looks more substantial than the rather basic BA bacon roll offering (albeit, hot) and a lot more keenly priced, at just Ł2.20.
Jan 18, 2017, 6:04 am
#3053
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
Jan 18, 2017, 6:10 am
#3054
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,208
Makes sense. I think pretty much any Bring on Board food will prove better value (with far more choice of course) than any bought on board.
If you happen to be near a Sainsburys on the day before your flight, check out their sandwich of "Maple cured British bacon, tomato and apollo lettuce with mayonnaise on malted bread" - looks more substantial than the rather basic BA bacon roll offering (albeit, hot) and a lot more keenly priced, at just Ł2.20.
If you happen to be near a Sainsburys on the day before your flight, check out their sandwich of "Maple cured British bacon, tomato and apollo lettuce with mayonnaise on malted bread" - looks more substantial than the rather basic BA bacon roll offering (albeit, hot) and a lot more keenly priced, at just Ł2.20.
Plus when Sainsbury's 'enahnced' their meal deal (it used to be every sandwich qualified, now it's only the cheap ones), they also 'enhanced' their supplier and the quality took a nosedive.
Jan 18, 2017, 6:13 am
#3055
Join Date: May 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,428
The 2 by me on Cannon street are now eerily quiet at lunchtime, which is handy for my one visit a month when I want to but a chocolate bar.
Jan 18, 2017, 6:22 am
#3056
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,208
There's a few other decent places to eat close by but nothing in the grab and go area.
I hope they'll at least review their supplier. When they changed the meal deal they promised quality would improve but instead it has gone the other way. Has Alex Cruz started advising Sainsbury's?
Jan 18, 2017, 6:33 am
#3057
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Berks
Programs: BA, A3, Hilton, IHG
Posts: 215
They almost have a monopooly where I'm working at the moment, they're 2 minutes walk away. You can go an extra 5 minutes walk to Tesco where it's equally as bad but cheaper and you get Clubcard points or 15 minutes to somewhere decent (for sandwiches).
There's a few other decent places to eat close by but nothing in the grab and go area.
I hope they'll at least review their supplier. When they changed the meal deal they promised quality would improve but instead it has gone the other way. Has Alex Cruz started advising Sainsbury's?
There's a few other decent places to eat close by but nothing in the grab and go area.
I hope they'll at least review their supplier. When they changed the meal deal they promised quality would improve but instead it has gone the other way. Has Alex Cruz started advising Sainsbury's?
Jan 18, 2017, 6:42 am
#3058
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,398
Well I can't say that I've had any major issues with Sainsburys, but tastes do vary of course, as I accept. Plus, mostly when using LCC's with BoB ex-UK, I prefer, where time allows, to put together something myself at home (obviously not so easy for return sectors)
That apart, the more fundamental reason for preferring to Bring on Board (versus Buy) - where BA is now concerned - is the fact that you simply don't know for sure whether you will actually be able to get anything at all once on the aircraft - as per countless reports of inadequately-catered/serviced flights (including some where no food at all has been loaded).
That apart, the more fundamental reason for preferring to Bring on Board (versus Buy) - where BA is now concerned - is the fact that you simply don't know for sure whether you will actually be able to get anything at all once on the aircraft - as per countless reports of inadequately-catered/serviced flights (including some where no food at all has been loaded).
Jan 18, 2017, 7:28 am
#3059
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,207
Self catering is fun...and you can't blame anyone but yourself if it's of poor quality. We still do it a lot when we travel. Egg sandwiches are one of my favourites.
Jan 18, 2017, 7:40 am
#3060
Join Date: May 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,428
I see American has just launched a 'basic economy' fare but even they haven't removed 'snacks' from the offering.
No overhead luggage though.
http://news.aa.com/press-releases/pr...x?sf51541336=1
No overhead luggage though.
http://news.aa.com/press-releases/pr...x?sf51541336=1