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, 3:31 am
#91
Join Date: May 2016
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 143
No more domestic brekkie 
Sep 29, 2016, 3:31 am
#92
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 27
My earlier post was not meant to be logical. I was taking a data point - the period of the Gate Gourmet strike - when next to nothing was supplied and the responses was "it was complimentary so tough."
In the years since then, BA's policy has not become more customer friendly so if they took that approach then, I suspect they will do the same again. I hope I am wrong.
Surely I am not the only one to remember the strike period and if anyone received a rebate on their ticket price then I am happy to be corrected.
The eventually started giving out vouchers (when travelling in First at least) but that was not the position at the outset.
As said, logic need to come into this, just an historic data point.
In the years since then, BA's policy has not become more customer friendly so if they took that approach then, I suspect they will do the same again. I hope I am wrong.
Surely I am not the only one to remember the strike period and if anyone received a rebate on their ticket price then I am happy to be corrected.
The eventually started giving out vouchers (when travelling in First at least) but that was not the position at the outset.
As said, logic need to come into this, just an historic data point.
Sep 29, 2016, 3:32 am
#93
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London
Programs: BAEC (Gold), Hilton (Diamond), Le Club Accor (Platinum)
Posts: 171
I was just about to book some CE trips for next summer. I have just booked the flights with EZY instead - why on earth would I take the risk of spending 3x the price only for BA to enhance the catering in the interim?
Making changes is one thing (whatever you may think of them). Making no allowance for people that booked before you announced them is absolutely appalling behaviour.
Making changes is one thing (whatever you may think of them). Making no allowance for people that booked before you announced them is absolutely appalling behaviour.
Sep 29, 2016, 3:32 am
#94
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,962
So not introducing food for sale as leaked to the Daily Mail, but actually scrapping ALL FOOD AND DRINK on short haul.
And replacing it with a BOB offer that's more expensive than any of its more punctual, more comfortable and more reliable competitors.
F*** that!
And replacing it with a BOB offer that's more expensive than any of its more punctual, more comfortable and more reliable competitors.
F*** that!
Sep 29, 2016, 3:33 am
#95
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,314
To be honest, I don't really blame BA. I never eat the SH food (unless in CE) as the quality is low and it's not particularly appealing. I suspect lots of people do the same so the waste on those flights must be high.
What grates is (a) the BA marketing spin on these service reductions, do the marketing team really think people are that stupid...
(b) charging for soft drinks, if that's really the plan then BA have genuinely just aligned with Ryan air 
What grates is (a) the BA marketing spin on these service reductions, do the marketing team really think people are that stupid...
(b) charging for soft drinks, if that's really the plan then BA have genuinely just aligned with Ryan air
Sep 29, 2016, 3:35 am
#96
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: 64,088
My comment comes from pretty much eating the entire easyJet menu, I fly with them at least weekly. Their sandwiches are not great.
Sep 29, 2016, 3:37 am
#97
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sin, HKG
Programs: SQ, BA CCR GGL
Posts: 626
Looks good and would entice me to stay in economy. I wonder if I can have a sandwich from the menu when flying in business?
Sep 29, 2016, 3:37 am
#98
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 169
On a grammatical note, BA's previous food and beverage offering may have been 'complimenary' but it was far from 'complementary' 
Bargain! I guess this now stops all those members with piles of avios complaining that they dont have anything to spend them on
Sep 29, 2016, 3:39 am
#99
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London
Programs: BAEC (Gold), Hilton (Diamond), Le Club Accor (Platinum)
Posts: 171
Also just received the following in an email about an ET booking for next year (so confirmation that they have no intention of providing the advertised free food and drinks for existing bookings). Genuinely appalling.
"Thank you for booking your flight with British Airways. We're writing to let you know about some key changes that are taking place to our on-board catering.
From 11 January, we're upgrading our food offering on all short haul flights to and from London Heathrow and London Gatwick to a new buy-on-board menu range. Partnering with Marks & Spencer, another great British brand, you will be able to buy from their delicious and seasonally inspired menu, 'M&S on board', which will replace the complimentary service currently provided in our Euro Traveller cabins, including UK domestic flights."
"Thank you for booking your flight with British Airways. We're writing to let you know about some key changes that are taking place to our on-board catering.
From 11 January, we're upgrading our food offering on all short haul flights to and from London Heathrow and London Gatwick to a new buy-on-board menu range. Partnering with Marks & Spencer, another great British brand, you will be able to buy from their delicious and seasonally inspired menu, 'M&S on board', which will replace the complimentary service currently provided in our Euro Traveller cabins, including UK domestic flights."
Sep 29, 2016, 3:39 am
#100
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G/HH Dia/IHG plat
Posts: 7,996
Sep 29, 2016, 3:40 am
#101
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Canada
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,254
I'm looking forward to being able to get a hot sandwich on board. I really wish they hadn't cut drinks though.
Sep 29, 2016, 3:40 am
#102
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Betwixt SEA and LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, AS Gold MVP, IC RA, IHG Spire Elite, HH Diamond, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,354
I've not really been following this, but I'd assumed the BoB scheme was only for food, but it seems it's for everything including water. Utterly incredible.
Sep 29, 2016, 3:42 am
#104
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 29
There's going to be a lot of pinching from the lounge going on......
Sep 29, 2016, 3:43 am
#105
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: UK
Programs: HH Gold, BAEC Silver, M&M FTL
Posts: 91
Buy your Percy Pigs landside at LGW South after the terminal move, I'm sure they'll be far cheaper