Our 1st First was not that great.
Apr 9, 2018, 1:47 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
No saying about it - rather experience of consistently inconsistent and often poor slow clueless service in F from mixed fleet.
Its often willingly but woefully under trained and lacking in experience. The ultimate was when the passengers on a CPT had to show the crew where the bedding was stored for F. That followed a clueless meal service too laughable to repeat here.
Its often willingly but woefully under trained and lacking in experience. The ultimate was when the passengers on a CPT had to show the crew where the bedding was stored for F. That followed a clueless meal service too laughable to repeat here.
Apr 9, 2018, 2:46 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cirencester
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 234
Your experience with BA in F is not reflective of my experiences. A quick search online shows your flight was a MF crew. I've never flow with a MF crew, but that is not an excuse for poor service.
RE: your exact experience I say two things:
1. If you didn't want to dine right then you could've said you would prefer to dine at X time. I don't think her question implied that you had to eat immediately. Also, if the flight is a night departure it's not unreasonable to assume you'd want to eat, and then go to sleep.
2. If you wanted a different entree then you could've asked. You are the customer. I certainly would've called her over after I determined the food wasn't up to par, and asked for another entree. Same with the missing grapes and chutney. Should she have volunteered? Yes, but ultimately it's your responsibility to speak up for yourself.
I had a very similar experience on a trans-con United flight over Christmas. I had an older guy I think may have been on his first fly-fly trip ever (he couldn't remember whether we were headed to LAX or SFO), and a young girl more interested in flirting with the pilot and co-pilot than serving customers. What did I do? I just went up to the galley when I wanted something. Should I have to do that? No, but you have to take responsibility if you aren't happy, and ask for what you want.
RE: your exact experience I say two things:
1. If you didn't want to dine right then you could've said you would prefer to dine at X time. I don't think her question implied that you had to eat immediately. Also, if the flight is a night departure it's not unreasonable to assume you'd want to eat, and then go to sleep.
2. If you wanted a different entree then you could've asked. You are the customer. I certainly would've called her over after I determined the food wasn't up to par, and asked for another entree. Same with the missing grapes and chutney. Should she have volunteered? Yes, but ultimately it's your responsibility to speak up for yourself.
I had a very similar experience on a trans-con United flight over Christmas. I had an older guy I think may have been on his first fly-fly trip ever (he couldn't remember whether we were headed to LAX or SFO), and a young girl more interested in flirting with the pilot and co-pilot than serving customers. What did I do? I just went up to the galley when I wanted something. Should I have to do that? No, but you have to take responsibility if you aren't happy, and ask for what you want.
Many thanks,
Apr 9, 2018, 3:12 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Apr 9, 2018, 3:21 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Perth WA/ UK
Programs: BA Gold, Priority Club Gold, Accor Silver, Virgin Australia Gold
Posts: 1,749
It really should make no difference at all in terms of crew Mixed Fleet or otherwise - In First and often in LH Business BA take thousands of pounds for the service provision and pax should not have to worry about crew. they should ALL be trained to the same quality and if they don't want to be there they should leave. I am getting a bit tired of "the crew are this" "the crew are that", "its all down to luck" "it was an off day"...No, no, no. It should NOT be. Either deliver a constant service or give up. No more excuses please.
Apr 9, 2018, 3:26 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,069
It’s not an excuse it is the reason why this is happening, BA have decided it is going to be this way and no amount of complaining is going to change it, I suggest customers vote with their feet.
Apr 9, 2018, 3:39 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cirencester
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 234
As is almost always the case, we have a thread on this: Mixed Fleet vs non Mixed Fleet routes
Apr 9, 2018, 3:49 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG-Plat, Hilton-Diamond, Club Carlson-Silver, Cathay-Diamond, Virgin-Gold
Posts: 2,183
I have long since accepted when flying BA in F the following.
The service and attitude of the crew can be amazing and among the best in the sky but equally truely terrible and amongst the worst.
I prefer F over CW by far, the more space and quietness it can offer for me is easily worth the avios. (If I am paying chances are I wouldn't be on BA metal)
The serve a very good champagne in F and until recently the CCR, was always a big plus, now it seems you can't even rely on that.
The food in the CCR is generally terrible and so is the service.
The service in the CCR is generally like in the air, just much mess likely to be amazing.
Unless you book 28 days out forget about the spa, so the spa is a bonus, but can't be counted as part of the F package.
The F hard product is pretty basic compared to most, but it's functional and the middle seats if travelling as a couple work pretty well. That and 1A/K will always hold a little bit of special status.
The food in F can be good, but also can be woeful and certainly if you don't preorder and its a full cabin you could be on second choice. Equally as long as you control the crew they will serve you when you want.
On night flights they wake the cabin later than Cw giving me valuable (to me) extra sleep. Unfortunataly get a lazy crew and they lights up very early to make their lives easier so started to discount this benifit.
So why do I still fly BA F, the answer is easy, I prefer a direct flight than changes and they have a decent hard product and serve a good champagne. Equally can't remember the last time I flew them to SE Asia or Hong Kong as the other options are compelling but to JNB or to USA they generally tick the boxes and for redemptions at least offer gd value.
I can sympathise with the OP on there issues as it shouldn't be what First is but in truth it sounded like they had a pretty good overall experience for BA First! Not sure that's a reason to celebrate tho!
The service and attitude of the crew can be amazing and among the best in the sky but equally truely terrible and amongst the worst.
I prefer F over CW by far, the more space and quietness it can offer for me is easily worth the avios. (If I am paying chances are I wouldn't be on BA metal)
The serve a very good champagne in F and until recently the CCR, was always a big plus, now it seems you can't even rely on that.
The food in the CCR is generally terrible and so is the service.
The service in the CCR is generally like in the air, just much mess likely to be amazing.
Unless you book 28 days out forget about the spa, so the spa is a bonus, but can't be counted as part of the F package.
The F hard product is pretty basic compared to most, but it's functional and the middle seats if travelling as a couple work pretty well. That and 1A/K will always hold a little bit of special status.
The food in F can be good, but also can be woeful and certainly if you don't preorder and its a full cabin you could be on second choice. Equally as long as you control the crew they will serve you when you want.
On night flights they wake the cabin later than Cw giving me valuable (to me) extra sleep. Unfortunataly get a lazy crew and they lights up very early to make their lives easier so started to discount this benifit.
So why do I still fly BA F, the answer is easy, I prefer a direct flight than changes and they have a decent hard product and serve a good champagne. Equally can't remember the last time I flew them to SE Asia or Hong Kong as the other options are compelling but to JNB or to USA they generally tick the boxes and for redemptions at least offer gd value.
I can sympathise with the OP on there issues as it shouldn't be what First is but in truth it sounded like they had a pretty good overall experience for BA First! Not sure that's a reason to celebrate tho!
Apr 9, 2018, 3:50 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA Gold....er now Silver...er now Bronze....er now Blue
Posts: 3,507
Apr 9, 2018, 4:02 am
#39
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Perth WA/ UK
Programs: BA Gold, Priority Club Gold, Accor Silver, Virgin Australia Gold
Posts: 1,749
Apr 9, 2018, 4:56 am
#40
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Subcard
Posts: 435
I flew this route last month and had the opposite results.
LHR-JNB in First with a fantastic young female Italian CC serving me and my friends in 1-4A. The service from start to finish was possibly the best i've experianced on BA (I am very critical of BA at times).
I too had pre-ordered the lamb shank and wasn't looking forward to it but it turned out to be very good (bone still on the dish).
However on the return JNB-LHR in CW it was the opposite (although I felt sorry for the crew who had arrived in JNB that same morning and went to the hotel for the minimum time allowed to sleep to return the same night). I slept most of the flight but my friends said the service from start to finish was awful with drink top ups impossible to get, main courses forgetting to be delivered and being ignored during the breakfast service. I did really enjoy the new white company bedding and slept for nearly 9 hours.
For me the crew is everything on BA flights as the hard product is mediocre at best. When you get great crew in F its a lovely way to fly. However, when you get inexperienced or tired grumpy crew it makes you question why you booked it in the first place.
LHR-JNB in First with a fantastic young female Italian CC serving me and my friends in 1-4A. The service from start to finish was possibly the best i've experianced on BA (I am very critical of BA at times).
I too had pre-ordered the lamb shank and wasn't looking forward to it but it turned out to be very good (bone still on the dish).
However on the return JNB-LHR in CW it was the opposite (although I felt sorry for the crew who had arrived in JNB that same morning and went to the hotel for the minimum time allowed to sleep to return the same night). I slept most of the flight but my friends said the service from start to finish was awful with drink top ups impossible to get, main courses forgetting to be delivered and being ignored during the breakfast service. I did really enjoy the new white company bedding and slept for nearly 9 hours.
For me the crew is everything on BA flights as the hard product is mediocre at best. When you get great crew in F its a lovely way to fly. However, when you get inexperienced or tired grumpy crew it makes you question why you booked it in the first place.
Apr 9, 2018, 5:17 am
#41
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,600
Did you actually read what was said rather than selectively quoting?
"At the door of the aircraft, there was only one crew member so nobody available to show us to our seats. No big deal and we could easily have found 1A & K ourselves but we were made to wait at the door whilst someone was called during which everyone else behind us was also made to wait."
"At the door of the aircraft, there was only one crew member so nobody available to show us to our seats. No big deal and we could easily have found 1A & K ourselves but we were made to wait at the door whilst someone was called during which everyone else behind us was also made to wait."
Apr 9, 2018, 6:39 am
#42
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,164
As a result of yet another AA cancellation - I had to switch to a BA flight to ORD. F was full and there was one seat in CW - on the Upper Deck. There were two young ladies serving up there who were the bee's knees. I could not fault their genuine pleasantness and how good they were at their job. The return in AA J to MAN had the usual sort of FAs that seem to be par for the course at AA these days - nothing wrong but without an ounce of personality.
I think that MF gets a very bad press on here and it just shows how different experiences can be.
I think that MF gets a very bad press on here and it just shows how different experiences can be.
Apr 9, 2018, 7:20 am
#43
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,199
Apr 9, 2018, 9:18 am
#44
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Geneva/Sydney
Programs: Mucci; BA, LT GGL; QF, platinum; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 926
[QUOTE=UKTraveller4Fun;29618826]
The food in the CCR is generally terrible and so is the service.
/QUOTE]
UKTraveller4Fun, hope tomorrow is a better day!
Unfortunately, I will miss the CCR on Thursday due to a tight connection from GVA en route to SIN.
The food in the CCR is generally terrible and so is the service.
/QUOTE]
UKTraveller4Fun, hope tomorrow is a better day!
Unfortunately, I will miss the CCR on Thursday due to a tight connection from GVA en route to SIN.
Apr 9, 2018, 9:35 am
#45
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,104
Your experience with BA in F is not reflective of my experiences. A quick search online shows your flight was a MF crew. I've never flow with a MF crew, but that is not an excuse for poor service.
RE: your exact experience I say two things:
1. If you didn't want to dine right then you could've said you would prefer to dine at X time. I don't think her question implied that you had to eat immediately. Also, if the flight is a night departure it's not unreasonable to assume you'd want to eat, and then go to sleep.
2. If you wanted a different entree then you could've asked. You are the customer. I certainly would've called her over after I determined the food wasn't up to par, and asked for another entree. Same with the missing grapes and chutney. Should she have volunteered? Yes, but ultimately it's your responsibility to speak up for yourself.
I had a very similar experience on a trans-con United flight over Christmas. I had an older guy I think may have been on his first fly-fly trip ever (he couldn't remember whether we were headed to LAX or SFO), and a young girl more interested in flirting with the pilot and co-pilot than serving customers. What did I do? I just went up to the galley when I wanted something. Should I have to do that? No, but you have to take responsibility if you aren't happy, and ask for what you want.
RE: your exact experience I say two things:
1. If you didn't want to dine right then you could've said you would prefer to dine at X time. I don't think her question implied that you had to eat immediately. Also, if the flight is a night departure it's not unreasonable to assume you'd want to eat, and then go to sleep.
2. If you wanted a different entree then you could've asked. You are the customer. I certainly would've called her over after I determined the food wasn't up to par, and asked for another entree. Same with the missing grapes and chutney. Should she have volunteered? Yes, but ultimately it's your responsibility to speak up for yourself.
I had a very similar experience on a trans-con United flight over Christmas. I had an older guy I think may have been on his first fly-fly trip ever (he couldn't remember whether we were headed to LAX or SFO), and a young girl more interested in flirting with the pilot and co-pilot than serving customers. What did I do? I just went up to the galley when I wanted something. Should I have to do that? No, but you have to take responsibility if you aren't happy, and ask for what you want.
Many people may also be reluctant to make an issue of something at the time perhaps due to the nature or cultural background of the individual.
There are just too many similar posts to this and I too have also had a lousy experience on my last F trip to HKG which in hindsight, I should have complained about at the time, however, I have found such action with a previous issue was a complete waste of time and effort.
I accept that even the best carriers will have the occasional service failure, but with BA, many may argue that they are now becoming routine.