Another Mediocre CE Flight
Mar 19, 2018, 9:13 am
#61
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,129
It can be so hit and miss, which in an odd way brings an excited sense of anticipation of not knowing whether service will be awful or stellar.
Recently, I flew to MAD in CE on a 789 and despite the cabin being 1/2 full and with seemingly a full set of crew, several of us in the front section of 'CW' were completely forgotten in meal delivery (I waited 20 min before asking once I realised those that had been served were having trays cleared). It was suggested that I might have been in the toilet at the time of service but I explained that wasn't the case. There were a couple of other interactions which left me puzzled, including the crew member saying they would have to check if they had any champagne when I asked for a glass (clearly, they didn't even know that champagne is offered in CE) and also when I asked for another glass soon after the '40 min to landing announcement' by the flight deck, the same crew member said 'I think the bars may be closed, but I'll check' (I did get a top up). I was tempted to have a moan to CS upon returning home, but the return service by the CSM (done single handedly) on a 4 row CE on the A319 was spectacularly good, so I ended up letting go of the poor outbound flight and awarded the CSM on the inbound flight a golden ticket.
Recently, I flew to MAD in CE on a 789 and despite the cabin being 1/2 full and with seemingly a full set of crew, several of us in the front section of 'CW' were completely forgotten in meal delivery (I waited 20 min before asking once I realised those that had been served were having trays cleared). It was suggested that I might have been in the toilet at the time of service but I explained that wasn't the case. There were a couple of other interactions which left me puzzled, including the crew member saying they would have to check if they had any champagne when I asked for a glass (clearly, they didn't even know that champagne is offered in CE) and also when I asked for another glass soon after the '40 min to landing announcement' by the flight deck, the same crew member said 'I think the bars may be closed, but I'll check' (I did get a top up). I was tempted to have a moan to CS upon returning home, but the return service by the CSM (done single handedly) on a 4 row CE on the A319 was spectacularly good, so I ended up letting go of the poor outbound flight and awarded the CSM on the inbound flight a golden ticket.
Mar 19, 2018, 9:19 am
#62
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
Flew LHR to MAN Saturday evening on what can only be described as a shambles of a flight.
The young crew were clueless and no one from row 6 back got a drink in CE.
The young girl who was leading the team stopped serving drinks at row 4 to go and offer bread rolls. It was so dissapointing as when on the flight down we had a great crew.
At least on Ryanair they work hard selling you F&B onboard, this crew were in a daze just slowly serving drinks 2 at a time from the galley.
I have sent in a complaint but I expect I will just get fobbed off.
The young crew were clueless and no one from row 6 back got a drink in CE.
The young girl who was leading the team stopped serving drinks at row 4 to go and offer bread rolls. It was so dissapointing as when on the flight down we had a great crew.
At least on Ryanair they work hard selling you F&B onboard, this crew were in a daze just slowly serving drinks 2 at a time from the galley.
I have sent in a complaint but I expect I will just get fobbed off.
Do let us know what you receive by way of response.
Mar 19, 2018, 11:13 am
#63
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,529
The same person as? Not sure about your BHD reference either?
Mar 19, 2018, 12:14 pm
#65
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Sixt Gold
Posts: 418
The only reason why I sometimes pay to upgrade to CE at checkin is when I need some TP to close the gap and renew Gold.
A part from that, CE is a very poor product. The food is frankly horrible (a part from the cheese platter, which is decent) and as the OP stated, service can be inconsistent.
Only real plus would be free flow Champ, if only it wasn't Castelnau...
A part from that, CE is a very poor product. The food is frankly horrible (a part from the cheese platter, which is decent) and as the OP stated, service can be inconsistent.
Only real plus would be free flow Champ, if only it wasn't Castelnau...
Mar 19, 2018, 12:20 pm
#66
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,599
Mar 19, 2018, 12:27 pm
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,529
Mar 19, 2018, 12:37 pm
#68
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,174
If you are talking about the Long Service - then I disagree with you except about the cheese. I have been served really quite tasty food and the portions almost floor me. On the last flight we had a choice between a Boeuf Bourginon and Hot Smoked Salmon with pasta. I've had both as has my husband and we both thought that the catering had actually improved and they finally were not serving curry at every hand's turn. It is a very subjective topic, but as for the Castelnau - there is nothing wrong with it, except I have had some that tasted corked and I suspect that it is kept under far from ideal conditions. I was surprised at the price on Amazon.
Mar 19, 2018, 12:52 pm
#69
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,924
Flew LHR to MAN Saturday evening on what can only be described as a shambles of a flight.
The young crew were clueless and no one from row 6 back got a drink in CE.
The young girl who was leading the team stopped serving drinks at row 4 to go and offer bread rolls. It was so dissapointing as when on the flight down we had a great crew.
At least on Ryanair they work hard selling you F&B onboard, this crew were in a daze just slowly serving drinks 2 at a time from the galley.
I have sent in a complaint but I expect I will just get fobbed off.
The young crew were clueless and no one from row 6 back got a drink in CE.
The young girl who was leading the team stopped serving drinks at row 4 to go and offer bread rolls. It was so dissapointing as when on the flight down we had a great crew.
At least on Ryanair they work hard selling you F&B onboard, this crew were in a daze just slowly serving drinks 2 at a time from the galley.
I have sent in a complaint but I expect I will just get fobbed off.
It it sounds like you had a crew (and in particular a CSM) that was not familiar with the shortness of a MAN sector. Typically the crew are on their feet within a minute of takeoff, with service starting immediately it is set up. On busy flights they have 3 crew in CE, the CSM handing out the food tray and the others following behind with drinks.
Hopefully you’ll get some Avios for this service failure, and hopefully the crew will get some additional feedback on how to service the challenging MAN sector.
Mar 19, 2018, 1:29 pm
#70
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 5,380
Flew LHR to MAN Saturday evening on what can only be described as a shambles of a flight.
The young crew were clueless and no one from row 6 back got a drink in CE.
The young girl who was leading the team stopped serving drinks at row 4 to go and offer bread rolls. It was so dissapointing as when on the flight down we had a great crew.
At least on Ryanair they work hard selling you F&B onboard, this crew were in a daze just slowly serving drinks 2 at a time from the galley.
I have sent in a complaint but I expect I will just get fobbed off.
The young crew were clueless and no one from row 6 back got a drink in CE.
The young girl who was leading the team stopped serving drinks at row 4 to go and offer bread rolls. It was so dissapointing as when on the flight down we had a great crew.
At least on Ryanair they work hard selling you F&B onboard, this crew were in a daze just slowly serving drinks 2 at a time from the galley.
I have sent in a complaint but I expect I will just get fobbed off.
Good on you for complaining - BA need to know about this. Do come back and let us know what response you got...
Mar 19, 2018, 2:08 pm
#71
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: BA Executive club
Posts: 61
I will come back with the response I get from BA.
We had come off our best ever First flight from DXB to LHR.
I love flying BA and this was my first ever really really poor crew.
They were just not up to the task. Not enough experience.
We had come off our best ever First flight from DXB to LHR.
I love flying BA and this was my first ever really really poor crew.
They were just not up to the task. Not enough experience.
Mar 19, 2018, 5:27 pm
#72
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,129
If you are talking about the Long Service - then I disagree with you except about the cheese. I have been served really quite tasty food and the portions almost floor me. On the last flight we had a choice between a Boeuf Bourginon and Hot Smoked Salmon with pasta. I've had both as has my husband and we both thought that the catering had actually improved and they finally were not serving curry at every hand's turn. It is a very subjective topic, but as for the Castelnau - there is nothing wrong with it, except I have had some that tasted corked and I suspect that it is kept under far from ideal conditions. I was surprised at the price on Amazon.
BEST BUSINESS CLASS SPARKLING
- Gold Medal: EVA Air .– Champagne Delamotte Blanc de Blancs NV, France
- Silver Medal (joint): Air France, Singapore Airlines – Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV, France
- Bronze Medal: British Airways – Champagne de Castelnau Brut Réserve NV, France
- Highly Commended: Sri Lankan Airlines – Champagne Piper Heidsieck Cuvée Brut NV, France
Last edited by Sealink; Mar 19, 2018 at 6:18 pm
Mar 20, 2018, 3:38 am
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Here's the thing. I have met the lady who runs those awards.
It is done strictly like any other wine competition. The judges are all Masters of Wine. All of the bottles are opened and decanted so the judge cannot even tell from the bottle shape what it is.
The only caveat is that the tasting is on the ground and not 36,000 feet where taste buds change. Airlines also have to self nominate and provide a free case for sampling, which not all do.
It is done strictly like any other wine competition. The judges are all Masters of Wine. All of the bottles are opened and decanted so the judge cannot even tell from the bottle shape what it is.
The only caveat is that the tasting is on the ground and not 36,000 feet where taste buds change. Airlines also have to self nominate and provide a free case for sampling, which not all do.
Mar 20, 2018, 6:11 am
#74
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: London / Brighton
Programs: BAEC Gold / M-Life Gold / HH Diamond
Posts: 1,634
Which I think is hilarious given the level of snobbery on here around BA's champagne choice.
Mar 20, 2018, 9:04 am
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,209