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 11, 2017, 7:27 am
#46
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 2,962
Just off BA2958 (LGW-GLA). Interesting experience for the crew no doubt, not helped by the guy making the announcements being barely comprehensible and very quiet. Cue things like the woman next to me asking for a cup of tea, getting it, and then being somewhat surprised to be asked to pay for it, and a later, further, announcement that only cards, not cash were being accepted.
A little bizarrely given that it was into lunchtime territory by the time we were airborne, they went down the aisles asking for any orders for bacon rolls - but then BA does have funny ideas about what food is appropriate at any given time of day. Not surprisingly there were few takers - from the back it looked like one order from 26A and an argument about BOB from 24E, and maybe one more order at the front.
Into the "service" proper, and sales went well initially from the back - over 50% buying something (not me). As predicted, loading was an issue (three rows in and the sandwiches were gone). This made progress painfully slow. But from about row 25 forward, pretty much nothing else sold and the carts met around row 12.
Would have been interested to hear the reaction from those in the rows that didn't buy, but in the cheap seats at the back (those more used to airlines that have defined themselves as LCCs for longer?), there was generally a pretty ready acceptance.
A little bizarrely given that it was into lunchtime territory by the time we were airborne, they went down the aisles asking for any orders for bacon rolls - but then BA does have funny ideas about what food is appropriate at any given time of day. Not surprisingly there were few takers - from the back it looked like one order from 26A and an argument about BOB from 24E, and maybe one more order at the front.
Into the "service" proper, and sales went well initially from the back - over 50% buying something (not me). As predicted, loading was an issue (three rows in and the sandwiches were gone). This made progress painfully slow. But from about row 25 forward, pretty much nothing else sold and the carts met around row 12.
Would have been interested to hear the reaction from those in the rows that didn't buy, but in the cheap seats at the back (those more used to airlines that have defined themselves as LCCs for longer?), there was generally a pretty ready acceptance.
Jan 11, 2017, 7:35 am
#47
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Harrogate
Programs: BA, KL, DL
Posts: 996
Many people on my flight today (mostly foreign tourists) were bemused and disappointed that only card was accepted as payment, not cash. The cabin crew had to make several announcements to this effect as they were fed up of people ordering food and then only offering cash.
BA lost out on 5 meal purchases from the family sitting behind me because of this. It seems like they had leftover Sterling and wanted to use it up on the flight home, not wanting to purchase anything via card due to the foreign currency charges from their bank.
BA lost out on 5 meal purchases from the family sitting behind me because of this. It seems like they had leftover Sterling and wanted to use it up on the flight home, not wanting to purchase anything via card due to the foreign currency charges from their bank.
Jan 11, 2017, 7:43 am
#48
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: 30,520
Many people on my flight today (mostly foreign tourists) were bemused and disappointed that only card was accepted as payment, not cash. The cabin crew had to make several announcements to this effect as they were fed up of people ordering food and then only offering cash.
BA lost out on 5 meal purchases from the family sitting behind me because of this. It seems like they had leftover Sterling and wanted to use it up on the flight home, not wanting to purchase anything via card due to the foreign currency charges from their bank.
BA lost out on 5 meal purchases from the family sitting behind me because of this. It seems like they had leftover Sterling and wanted to use it up on the flight home, not wanting to purchase anything via card due to the foreign currency charges from their bank.
Jan 11, 2017, 7:43 am
#49
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Greenock Scotland
Programs: BA Bronze!! Hilton Gold
Posts: 194
Machine not working
Was on the 11:25 GTW - GLA, mainly holiday makers from our Orlando flight on it.
Demand was high, and a lot of items where unavailable.
The card machine wasn't working and the 2 Gentlemen cabin crew where in a bit of a flap to the say the least.
I'm sure things will get better over time
Demand was high, and a lot of items where unavailable.
The card machine wasn't working and the 2 Gentlemen cabin crew where in a bit of a flap to the say the least.
I'm sure things will get better over time
Jan 11, 2017, 7:45 am
#51
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Auchmithie, Scotland
Programs: BA Silver - QF Lifetime Silver
Posts: 205
Jan 11, 2017, 7:48 am
#52
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,031
FT bonus points to the first to report a successful Avios purchase with the barcode. 
Double bonus points to the first to report back what happens if you try to buy when you don't have sufficient Avios in your account to pay for it.
Double bonus points to the first to report back what happens if you try to buy when you don't have sufficient Avios in your account to pay for it.
Jan 11, 2017, 8:08 am
#54
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
Bottled water is available to buy, both sparkling and still.
If you don't want to buy bottled water you can request the potable water and when able to, the crew will bring you a glass. Nowadays though, most customers will prefer to drink bottled water in much the same way as when purchasing water in other types or retail outlets.
This is Inline with the practises of most other UK airlines that now offer BOB.
If you don't want to buy bottled water you can request the potable water and when able to, the crew will bring you a glass. Nowadays though, most customers will prefer to drink bottled water in much the same way as when purchasing water in other types or retail outlets.
This is Inline with the practises of most other UK airlines that now offer BOB.
The thing I find interesting about this is in the past I've been told that the tank water was suitable for drinking unless it had been boiled - tea or coffee. I know many times I will see in the lavs signs that will say near the tap "not drinking water" or something to that effect.
I take it the water from the taps in the lavs is separate?
Jan 11, 2017, 8:09 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,245
Are there any suggestions that BoB is affecting CE service, i.e. staff being drafted to Economy to help complete the service, or will one remain up front at all times?
Jan 11, 2017, 8:10 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)
Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Bronze)
Posts: 15,127
Also, notice that still water is on the menu: http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/...my-drinks-menu
This being the case, is comp water also off the menu? Can someone flying check? This rather worries me. Surely water has to be provided free of charge?
This being the case, is comp water also off the menu? Can someone flying check? This rather worries me. Surely water has to be provided free of charge?
Last edited by Jimmie76; Jan 11, 2017 at 8:19 am
Jan 11, 2017, 8:17 am
#58
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Programs: Tufty Club (Gold), BAGA Gymnastics level 4, 440yds swimming certificate
Posts: 2,533
Crew not ready after a LGW-RAK - That must be three hours? Interesting.
Jan 11, 2017, 8:19 am
#59
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,529
Jan 11, 2017, 8:26 am
#60
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LON, MAD
Programs: KE MC Premium, BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, AZ FA+, Melia Gold
Posts: 305
A little bizarrely given that it was into lunchtime territory by the time we were airborne, they went down the aisles asking for any orders for bacon rolls - but then BA does have funny ideas about what food is appropriate at any given time of day. Not surprisingly there were few takers - from the back it looked like one order from 26A and an argument about BOB from 24E, and maybe one more order at the front.