Jan 11, 2017, 7:42 am
Last edit by: KARFA
This thread focuses on experiences and reactions for the implementation of buy on board for shorthaul, mainly led by impressions taken from flying on board British Airways' shorthaul services.
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
If you have an opinion about the concept of Buy on Board, the right thread is:
Buy on board: Implemented on BA short haul - opinions on the concept
Photos of current BoB menu (September 2018) post #125 in information thread
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
If you have an opinion about the concept of Buy on Board, the right thread is:
Buy on board: Implemented on BA short haul - opinions on the concept
Photos of current BoB menu (September 2018) post #125 in information thread
Buy on board: Experiences and reactions from BA's shorthaul economy service
Jan 24, 2017, 3:35 pm
#828
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: London
Posts: 344
For those without contactless cards, many phones now offer contactless payments. I use mine all the time - it's much easier than rummaging for a card as my phone is always to hand.
Does require NFC to be switched on though - not sure if that's permitted in flight is it?
Does require NFC to be switched on though - not sure if that's permitted in flight is it?
Jan 24, 2017, 3:40 pm
#829
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: I don't fly enough
Posts: 204
I've still got one of the free paytags they gave out before they started charging - the one you could stick to your phone (obviously this was before the advent of Apple/Android Pay)
Jan 24, 2017, 5:26 pm
#831
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Buckinghamshire
Programs: BAEC Gold Guest List, Hilton Honours Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 2,303
My partner was sitting in 15D on the 958 to Munich this evening (offered POUG of £90 at online checkin which he didn't take for a 1h40m flight). Not only did he say there was no curtain dividing the cabins, he also said there were lots of grumbles from pax who weren't aware of the changes. He heard CC explaining to several people that "the changes came in 10 days ago now". The trollies completed their rumble down the aisle about 30 minutes after takeoff with not many takers. He couldn't believe a bacon roll was nearly £5. Fine for LCC he thought, with low ticket prices, but not a national airline with 'expensive' tickets like BA. One guy was particularly miffed he couldn't pay for his food and drink in cash, and as he claimed he didn't have any cards, the goods were returned.
Last edited by Dicksbits; Jan 24, 2017 at 5:32 pm
Jan 24, 2017, 5:29 pm
#832
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: BA Gold. KrisFlyer Gold
Posts: 732
If BoB has taught me anything, it’s taught me that I will never ever pay for Club Europe with cash or miles again. Completely out of character, I POUGed myself to CE on a flight back from Madrid yesterday for a not insignificant amount of money as a little treat to myself. I was served Gordon’s (not the Bombay Sapphire offered for payment in ET), those god-awful mini bottles of Tempranillo (that brought back terrible memories of monthly WT flights to Singapore where it is served with abundance), unpalatable coffee (from the big silver pot of gloom), and a small (and barely edible, freezing cold) salad. When I asked to swap the gin and wine for those served on the BoB trolley, I was told “Sorry sir, Alex Cruz won’t let us”. I’m happy to report that when I replied “What a tool”, they nodded their heads enthusiastically!
Setting aside everything else, it now appears that, for status holders on Band 1-3 flights in Euro Traveller, if you are willing to splash out £15-£20 extra per sector, you will get better food, better spirits, better wine, better coffee, more legroom in the exit row, and the equivalent seat free next to you (~95% of the time with theoretical seating).
Surely even BA can see that this cannot continue like this. Would it really kill the airline to introduce CW-level alcohol to CE, or to give passengers in CE complimentary access to the BoB menu, at the very least? That would be a step in the right direction, but I don’t think even that would entice me back. They’d need to introduce long-haul meal service and free-flowing miniature bottles of LPGS and JW Blue to justify the premiums currently charged for those on point-to-point bookings. I certainly won’t be fooled again.
Setting aside everything else, it now appears that, for status holders on Band 1-3 flights in Euro Traveller, if you are willing to splash out £15-£20 extra per sector, you will get better food, better spirits, better wine, better coffee, more legroom in the exit row, and the equivalent seat free next to you (~95% of the time with theoretical seating).
Surely even BA can see that this cannot continue like this. Would it really kill the airline to introduce CW-level alcohol to CE, or to give passengers in CE complimentary access to the BoB menu, at the very least? That would be a step in the right direction, but I don’t think even that would entice me back. They’d need to introduce long-haul meal service and free-flowing miniature bottles of LPGS and JW Blue to justify the premiums currently charged for those on point-to-point bookings. I certainly won’t be fooled again.
Jan 24, 2017, 5:30 pm
#833
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 261
I was on the 957 returning from Munich. Crew seemed relaxed though were having trouble with one of the iPads. I think they made it down the whole plane. No idea if they ran out of anything. I could see a fair few people buying.
The curtain was drawn too.
The curtain was drawn too.
Jan 25, 2017, 12:48 am
#834
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: BA LifetimeGold GGL/CCR
Posts: 1,140
If BoB has taught me anything, it’s taught me that I will never ever pay for Club Europe with cash or miles again. Completely out of character, I POUGed myself to CE on a flight back from Madrid yesterday for a not insignificant amount of money as a little treat to myself. I was served Gordon’s (not the Bombay Sapphire offered for payment in ET), those god-awful mini bottles of Tempranillo (that brought back terrible memories of monthly WT flights to Singapore where it is served with abundance), unpalatable coffee (from the big silver pot of gloom), and a small (and barely edible, freezing cold) salad. When I asked to swap the gin and wine for those served on the BoB trolley, I was told “Sorry sir, Alex Cruz won’t let us”. I’m happy to report that when I replied “What a tool”, they nodded their heads enthusiastically!
Setting aside everything else, it now appears that, for status holders on Band 1-3 flights in Euro Traveller, if you are willing to splash out £15-£20 extra per sector, you will get better food, better spirits, better wine, better coffee, more legroom in the exit row, and the equivalent seat free next to you (~95% of the time with theoretical seating).
Surely even BA can see that this cannot continue like this. Would it really kill the airline to introduce CW-level alcohol to CE, or to give passengers in CE complimentary access to the BoB menu, at the very least? That would be a step in the right direction, but I don’t think even that would entice me back. They’d need to introduce long-haul meal service and free-flowing miniature bottles of LPGS and JW Blue to justify the premiums currently charged for those on point-to-point bookings. I certainly won’t be fooled again.
Setting aside everything else, it now appears that, for status holders on Band 1-3 flights in Euro Traveller, if you are willing to splash out £15-£20 extra per sector, you will get better food, better spirits, better wine, better coffee, more legroom in the exit row, and the equivalent seat free next to you (~95% of the time with theoretical seating).
Surely even BA can see that this cannot continue like this. Would it really kill the airline to introduce CW-level alcohol to CE, or to give passengers in CE complimentary access to the BoB menu, at the very least? That would be a step in the right direction, but I don’t think even that would entice me back. They’d need to introduce long-haul meal service and free-flowing miniature bottles of LPGS and JW Blue to justify the premiums currently charged for those on point-to-point bookings. I certainly won’t be fooled again.
Jan 25, 2017, 1:07 am
#835
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,663
Jan 25, 2017, 1:32 am
#836
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,985
If BoB has taught me anything, it’s taught me that I will never ever pay for Club Europe with cash or miles again. Completely out of character, I POUGed myself to CE on a flight back from Madrid yesterday for a not insignificant amount of money as a little treat to myself. I was served Gordon’s (not the Bombay Sapphire offered for payment in ET), those god-awful mini bottles of Tempranillo (that brought back terrible memories of monthly WT flights to Singapore where it is served with abundance), unpalatable coffee (from the big silver pot of gloom), and a small (and barely edible, freezing cold) salad. When I asked to swap the gin and wine for those served on the BoB trolley, I was told “Sorry sir, Alex Cruz won’t let us”. I’m happy to report that when I replied “What a tool”, they nodded their heads enthusiastically!
Setting aside everything else, it now appears that, for status holders on Band 1-3 flights in Euro Traveller, if you are willing to splash out £15-£20 extra per sector, you will get better food, better spirits, better wine, better coffee, more legroom in the exit row, and the equivalent seat free next to you (~95% of the time with theoretical seating).
Surely even BA can see that this cannot continue like this. Would it really kill the airline to introduce CW-level alcohol to CE, or to give passengers in CE complimentary access to the BoB menu, at the very least? That would be a step in the right direction, but I don’t think even that would entice me back. They’d need to introduce long-haul meal service and free-flowing miniature bottles of LPGS and JW Blue to justify the premiums currently charged for those on point-to-point bookings. I certainly won’t be fooled again.
Setting aside everything else, it now appears that, for status holders on Band 1-3 flights in Euro Traveller, if you are willing to splash out £15-£20 extra per sector, you will get better food, better spirits, better wine, better coffee, more legroom in the exit row, and the equivalent seat free next to you (~95% of the time with theoretical seating).
Surely even BA can see that this cannot continue like this. Would it really kill the airline to introduce CW-level alcohol to CE, or to give passengers in CE complimentary access to the BoB menu, at the very least? That would be a step in the right direction, but I don’t think even that would entice me back. They’d need to introduce long-haul meal service and free-flowing miniature bottles of LPGS and JW Blue to justify the premiums currently charged for those on point-to-point bookings. I certainly won’t be fooled again.
To be fair, I think with a little refinement the CE product is actually reasonably competitive. I don't think it's worse than that of the major competitors on intra European routes and it's not fair to compare it with short haul Asia or US routes as these are different markets.
Jan 25, 2017, 1:39 am
#837
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: CAMRA GGL (Gold Card Holder/Lifetime membership)
Posts: 727
Jan 25, 2017, 1:57 am
#838
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Wolverhampton
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Gold, Radisson Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,608
If BoB has taught me anything, it’s taught me that I will never ever pay for Club Europe with cash or miles again. Completely out of character, I POUGed myself to CE on a flight back from Madrid yesterday for a not insignificant amount of money as a little treat to myself. I was served Gordon’s (not the Bombay Sapphire offered for payment in ET), those god-awful mini bottles of Tempranillo (that brought back terrible memories of monthly WT flights to Singapore where it is served with abundance), unpalatable coffee (from the big silver pot of gloom), and a small (and barely edible, freezing cold) salad. When I asked to swap the gin and wine for those served on the BoB trolley, I was told “Sorry sir, Alex Cruz won’t let us”. I’m happy to report that when I replied “What a tool”, they nodded their heads enthusiastically!
Setting aside everything else, it now appears that, for status holders on Band 1-3 flights in Euro Traveller, if you are willing to splash out £15-£20 extra per sector, you will get better food, better spirits, better wine, better coffee, more legroom in the exit row, and the equivalent seat free next to you (~95% of the time with theoretical seating).
Surely even BA can see that this cannot continue like this. Would it really kill the airline to introduce CW-level alcohol to CE, or to give passengers in CE complimentary access to the BoB menu, at the very least? That would be a step in the right direction, but I don’t think even that would entice me back. They’d need to introduce long-haul meal service and free-flowing miniature bottles of LPGS and JW Blue to justify the premiums currently charged for those on point-to-point bookings. I certainly won’t be fooled again.
Setting aside everything else, it now appears that, for status holders on Band 1-3 flights in Euro Traveller, if you are willing to splash out £15-£20 extra per sector, you will get better food, better spirits, better wine, better coffee, more legroom in the exit row, and the equivalent seat free next to you (~95% of the time with theoretical seating).
Surely even BA can see that this cannot continue like this. Would it really kill the airline to introduce CW-level alcohol to CE, or to give passengers in CE complimentary access to the BoB menu, at the very least? That would be a step in the right direction, but I don’t think even that would entice me back. They’d need to introduce long-haul meal service and free-flowing miniature bottles of LPGS and JW Blue to justify the premiums currently charged for those on point-to-point bookings. I certainly won’t be fooled again.
Jan 25, 2017, 2:16 am
#839
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: JER
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 354
So, first experience of BOB on LGW-JER yesterday, sat in first row of Y.
I really wouldn't have bothered on such a short flight but I was really hungry by the time I got on board the lunchtime flight.
Asked for the focaccia, response was "we don't have any hot food on board". I replied that I didn't think it was hot... Crew member pushed call button and the search began for the focaccia. Another crew member appeared with the cheese sandwich to which I said I wanted the focaccia. She then disappeared with the cheese sandwich. She then came back and said no focaccia was available. So I plumped for the cheese sandwich which by this time this had been taken back to the galley. So the first crew member then pushed the call button and asked for the cheese sandwich back again. What a palaver.
I really wouldn't have bothered on such a short flight but I was really hungry by the time I got on board the lunchtime flight.
Asked for the focaccia, response was "we don't have any hot food on board". I replied that I didn't think it was hot... Crew member pushed call button and the search began for the focaccia. Another crew member appeared with the cheese sandwich to which I said I wanted the focaccia. She then disappeared with the cheese sandwich. She then came back and said no focaccia was available. So I plumped for the cheese sandwich which by this time this had been taken back to the galley. So the first crew member then pushed the call button and asked for the cheese sandwich back again. What a palaver.
Jan 25, 2017, 2:34 am
#840
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,593
If BoB has taught me anything, it’s taught me that I will never ever pay for Club Europe with cash or miles again. Completely out of character, I POUGed myself to CE on a flight back from Madrid yesterday for a not insignificant amount of money as a little treat to myself. I was served Gordon’s (not the Bombay Sapphire offered for payment in ET), those god-awful mini bottles of Tempranillo (that brought back terrible memories of monthly WT flights to Singapore where it is served with abundance), unpalatable coffee (from the big silver pot of gloom), and a small (and barely edible, freezing cold) salad. When I asked to swap the gin and wine for those served on the BoB trolley, I was told “Sorry sir, Alex Cruz won’t let us”. I’m happy to report that when I replied “What a tool”, they nodded their heads enthusiastically!
Setting aside everything else, it now appears that, for status holders on Band 1-3 flights in Euro Traveller, if you are willing to splash out £15-£20 extra per sector, you will get better food, better spirits, better wine, better coffee, more legroom in the exit row, and the equivalent seat free next to you (~95% of the time with theoretical seating).
Surely even BA can see that this cannot continue like this. Would it really kill the airline to introduce CW-level alcohol to CE, or to give passengers in CE complimentary access to the BoB menu, at the very least? That would be a step in the right direction, but I don’t think even that would entice me back. They’d need to introduce long-haul meal service and free-flowing miniature bottles of LPGS and JW Blue to justify the premiums currently charged for those on point-to-point bookings. I certainly won’t be fooled again.
Setting aside everything else, it now appears that, for status holders on Band 1-3 flights in Euro Traveller, if you are willing to splash out £15-£20 extra per sector, you will get better food, better spirits, better wine, better coffee, more legroom in the exit row, and the equivalent seat free next to you (~95% of the time with theoretical seating).
Surely even BA can see that this cannot continue like this. Would it really kill the airline to introduce CW-level alcohol to CE, or to give passengers in CE complimentary access to the BoB menu, at the very least? That would be a step in the right direction, but I don’t think even that would entice me back. They’d need to introduce long-haul meal service and free-flowing miniature bottles of LPGS and JW Blue to justify the premiums currently charged for those on point-to-point bookings. I certainly won’t be fooled again.