BA Golds, recent amazing first experience on EK/QF
#31
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,126
Then that becomes problematic... on BA, that is. Probably the same on any other carriers for that matter.
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Dec 3, 2017 at 6:18 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Will F disappear eventually on BA?
#33
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 698
Just my two pence worth.
BA: I've travelled 8 sectors in BA F this year. I'm not going to wave a fan placard for it. However:
- i've not once been declined my first meal choice.
- i've not once been on a flight where a particular champagne has run out.
- the menu clearly spells out that dining is on demand and i've never had a rolling eye when i've asked to eat and a particular time.
- BA PJ's come in three sizes and i'd assume the crew can reasonably guess whether i'm a S, M or L.
QF: Pretty much agree with the comments about QF F. 6 sectors in F so far this year. Wonderful crew. Food is only on par with BA IMHO, presentation better. There definitely are NOT ground staff that assist with boarding. There are 'first hosts' that escort certain very high CVV's to the aircraft but any duty undertaken on board the aircraft can only be done by the three cabin crew working in F.
EK: One sector in F on a QF codeshare after being rerouted. I liked the bones of the seat although not the bling. I found the 'mini bar' no more than a gimmick as nothing is chilled and the contents actually get quite warm. Was the ONLY one of any of the flights I list here where I did not get my choice of meal (and it was as simple as an arabic mezze plate).
BA: I've travelled 8 sectors in BA F this year. I'm not going to wave a fan placard for it. However:
- i've not once been declined my first meal choice.
- i've not once been on a flight where a particular champagne has run out.
- the menu clearly spells out that dining is on demand and i've never had a rolling eye when i've asked to eat and a particular time.
- BA PJ's come in three sizes and i'd assume the crew can reasonably guess whether i'm a S, M or L.
QF: Pretty much agree with the comments about QF F. 6 sectors in F so far this year. Wonderful crew. Food is only on par with BA IMHO, presentation better. There definitely are NOT ground staff that assist with boarding. There are 'first hosts' that escort certain very high CVV's to the aircraft but any duty undertaken on board the aircraft can only be done by the three cabin crew working in F.
EK: One sector in F on a QF codeshare after being rerouted. I liked the bones of the seat although not the bling. I found the 'mini bar' no more than a gimmick as nothing is chilled and the contents actually get quite warm. Was the ONLY one of any of the flights I list here where I did not get my choice of meal (and it was as simple as an arabic mezze plate).
#34
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: London. Or a plane.
Programs: "Only" 50,000 TPs until BA GGLfL
Posts: 2,770
QR J (except the non suite 777s) is pretty close to BA F anyway. TK's J soft product is IMHO on a par with BA F.
The option is to do what AF/LH do: take the amount of seats out, better soft product and then drastically limit access for non-cash (lots of miles, Golds only)
#35
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Manchester but from Yorkshire better known as Gods country
Programs: BA Gold, , Sandals plat
Posts: 839
What we we dont know though is how much revenue is generated because these perks are available. Again what is the income stream from the Amex / other credit card deals. Taking away the sweetners could push business elsewhere.
#36
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,383
However ........ at the very same event, he also said that one of his objectives is to ensure that BA deliver the same high standard of customer service whether youre seated in a First class cabin or travelling shorthaul economy. And if you believe that (I didnt, and got the distinct impression that nobody else in the audience did, either .....) ..... well ..... you might believe anything
#37
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 698
Since 2014 airline CEO's have been saying First Class doesn't make any money. Attached are two articles - one from the AF CEO in 2014 and one from the AF CEO in NOV this year.
A couple quotes that spell out why F is important despite not being a money spinner:
'First Class was uneconomical because of the amount of space taken up by each seat and the level of personalised service required. It was retained as a "marketing tool" which is very important'. (M de Juniac. AF CEO 2014 - Times article)
'Experts say that, in status concious asian societies, first class remains an important service, but, elsewhere, the global financial crisis has killed the cabins profits'. (writer of same Times article.
'I don't see First Class becoming redundant, because there is a lot of value, especially if your airline does not have a long history. First Class can provide a lot of marketing and brand cache'. (Arthur Wu of Aviation consultants Teague - Telepgraph article.)
So there you have it - its biggest value is as a marketing tool. It is profitable in very few markets.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ne...r-first-class/
https://www.businesstraveller.com/op...s-had-its-day/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a...ss-5k0bfl7j68w
A couple quotes that spell out why F is important despite not being a money spinner:
'First Class was uneconomical because of the amount of space taken up by each seat and the level of personalised service required. It was retained as a "marketing tool" which is very important'. (M de Juniac. AF CEO 2014 - Times article)
'Experts say that, in status concious asian societies, first class remains an important service, but, elsewhere, the global financial crisis has killed the cabins profits'. (writer of same Times article.
'I don't see First Class becoming redundant, because there is a lot of value, especially if your airline does not have a long history. First Class can provide a lot of marketing and brand cache'. (Arthur Wu of Aviation consultants Teague - Telepgraph article.)
So there you have it - its biggest value is as a marketing tool. It is profitable in very few markets.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ne...r-first-class/
https://www.businesstraveller.com/op...s-had-its-day/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a...ss-5k0bfl7j68w
#38
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 219
Even if two products are called First or 5 stars can be extremely different. The quality depends mostly on the price, not on being called First or 5 star. These hotels are targeting very different kinds of customers: one that is willing to pay ~500 or ~200. The price is precisely what is very different between those hotels (in general) as is between BA and many other carriers that offer better First products. My point is BA First is generally cheaper than many of these carriers. In a few words: you get what you pay for.
#39
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG & Accor Plat...
Posts: 734
Enjoy an enhanced dining experience at a time that suits you
So perhaps either the staff training isnt aligned with the promise, or its a case of a cabin crew putting their convenience ahead of yours, or maybe they had equipment/menu issues they didnt disclose to you that made them want to take that approach. Regular F travellers maybe be able to tell us....