Buy on Board Review: A call for comments
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Somewhere around Europe...
Programs: BA Gold; MB Ti; HH Diamond; IHG Plat; RR Gold
Posts: 530
Buy on Board Review: A call for comments
I have a friend in MF who's managed to swing a meeting with BA Management (specifically the head of BoB), and they're planning to discuss the issues/concerns that are being seen in the field. They wondered if the FT hivemind might like to contribute some of their comments.
I've already shared the BoB comments thread, however in an effort to produce something more condensed and current, I figured a separate thread might be in order. (Mod's, please merge if appropriate)
So BAFT, if you had the opportunity to pass along some constructive criticism to the head of BoB, what would you say?
I've already shared the BoB comments thread, however in an effort to produce something more condensed and current, I figured a separate thread might be in order. (Mod's, please merge if appropriate)
So BAFT, if you had the opportunity to pass along some constructive criticism to the head of BoB, what would you say?
#2
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
No bob in the first place. If that is too much to ask from ba, then
1. Ability to preorder hot meals on board
2. Hot meals on board available
3. Not running out of stock
4. Prepay when paying for your flight so don’t have to waste time paying
5. More selection
all this is done by many other airlines, so why can’t ba ?
1. Ability to preorder hot meals on board
2. Hot meals on board available
3. Not running out of stock
4. Prepay when paying for your flight so don’t have to waste time paying
5. More selection
all this is done by many other airlines, so why can’t ba ?
#3
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,953
I have a friend in MF who's managed to swing a meeting with BA Management (specifically the head of BoB), and they're planning to discuss the issues/concerns that are being seen in the field. They wondered if the FT hivemind might like to contribute some of their comments.
I've already shared the BoB comments thread, however in an effort to produce something more condensed and current, I figured a separate thread might be in order. (Mod's, please merge if appropriate)
So BAFT, if you had the opportunity to pass along some constructive criticism to the head of BoB, what would you say?
I've already shared the BoB comments thread, however in an effort to produce something more condensed and current, I figured a separate thread might be in order. (Mod's, please merge if appropriate)
So BAFT, if you had the opportunity to pass along some constructive criticism to the head of BoB, what would you say?
#4
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Aberdeen
Programs: BA Gold, Flying Blue Plat, UA Silver, Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold Ambassador
Posts: 536
No BOB if possible, but failing that, free tea, coffee and water at least to silver/golds.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,574
I think Air Asia has a pretty good model - a wide selection of extremely well priced pre order options that are handed out first, followed by the trolley. In countless flights I've never had an issue getting fed even if I didn't pre order. Admittedly its not M&S quality or many fresh options, but at least it's simple, quick and reliable
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
Not that I have, or would ever, use it ... but from my reading of comments here:
1. Competent provision of sufficient stock-holding on board - BOTH ways.
2. Efficient and effective payment methods.
1. Competent provision of sufficient stock-holding on board - BOTH ways.
2. Efficient and effective payment methods.
#8
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,222
Get the M&S hot sandwiches with chicken, pulled pork or beef and onions on the plane.
Much better shelf life so less unhappy customers or wasteage particularly on the longer return flights.
Much better shelf life so less unhappy customers or wasteage particularly on the longer return flights.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: london
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 266
I buy something to take on board as I can't rely on there being anything in stock and then just order a hot drink from BOB if I want one.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: MAN
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 351
Drinks should be complimentary, certainly a choice of soft drinks or even just bottled water. The far reaches of Europe in ET mean almost four hours without liquid unless you buy something or bring something on board.
I've never bought anything from the M&S menu on board and never will but there seems to be frequent issues with payments not working properly, several items on the menu not available or not enough time to get through the cabin on a shorter flight.
The whole experience flying ET is now pretty much just budget airline territory - there are few on board advantages of flying BA over the likes of Ryanair.
I've never bought anything from the M&S menu on board and never will but there seems to be frequent issues with payments not working properly, several items on the menu not available or not enough time to get through the cabin on a shorter flight.
The whole experience flying ET is now pretty much just budget airline territory - there are few on board advantages of flying BA over the likes of Ryanair.
#11
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
Free non-alcoholic drinks to all, better stock management and payment efficiency.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH DIAMOND, AVIS Presidents Club, Karahi Express
Posts: 1,229
If BOB is to stay,
1) Free hot beverages and water for ALL
2) Complimentary Alcoholic Beverages and food for loyal status holders
>>> Limit / No Limit depending on whether GGL, Gold, Silver, Bronze
1) Free hot beverages and water for ALL
2) Complimentary Alcoholic Beverages and food for loyal status holders
>>> Limit / No Limit depending on whether GGL, Gold, Silver, Bronze
#13
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Programs: MUCCI; BAEC Lifetime Gold; Marriott Bonvoy Emeritus Titanium; Hertz#1, Avis President’s Club
Posts: 3,214
Ability to pay with cash especially for minors who are unlikely to have debit or credit cards.
#14
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 494
Free tea, coffee and water for everyone.
Relax the M&S branding so that replacement stock can be picked up at outstations, reducing the chances of food running out on the return.
Add a couple of pounds to fares so that basic food can be included, but perhaps provide some further options, including hot dishes, through BoB as a face-saver.
#15
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: 63,799
1) If the suppliers are having stock problems, get the menu down to a situation where 90% of the stock is available to 98% of passengers. I can see that easyJet carry a larger long-life range (such as Pringles) and probably no more ambient items than BA. They use a bag system rather than trolleys+trays, which is interesting.
2) Consider firing Tourvest and managing internally as the LCC do. I suspect BA think other organisations are better at this sort of logistics than BA, which is a questionable assumption in my view.
3) Add a 300 Avios use-it-or-lose-it allowance for status members to have at least a drink.
4) Create an iPad linkage and SOP so that occasionally items from BoB can be used on customer at the SCCM discretion, even if it has to be tightly defined.
5) Give all passenger a water cuplet, as used in World Traveller, so that all passengers get a bit of customer service from crew in mid flight.
6) Allow ordering of WT premium meals on Europe services. The logistics are already in place (apart from LCY-STN). This could also be used to allow payment in advance for items (e.g. for children travelling without cards).
2) Consider firing Tourvest and managing internally as the LCC do. I suspect BA think other organisations are better at this sort of logistics than BA, which is a questionable assumption in my view.
3) Add a 300 Avios use-it-or-lose-it allowance for status members to have at least a drink.
4) Create an iPad linkage and SOP so that occasionally items from BoB can be used on customer at the SCCM discretion, even if it has to be tightly defined.
5) Give all passenger a water cuplet, as used in World Traveller, so that all passengers get a bit of customer service from crew in mid flight.
6) Allow ordering of WT premium meals on Europe services. The logistics are already in place (apart from LCY-STN). This could also be used to allow payment in advance for items (e.g. for children travelling without cards).