Upgraded to CE then ignored for meal service...
Jul 10, 2018, 2:19 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAGGL, A3G, Accor Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, LHW Sterling
Posts: 1,308
It is, and to BA staffers that is an entirely different company to BA, albeit one that is 100% owned by BA. For us customers BACF is the same thing, it is the face of British Airways, but in reality the service offering and style of BACF has always been very different to BA LHR or LGW. The advent of BoB and the apparent fact that it is not going to happen on BACF drives a firm wedge between the two parts of shorthaul flying. I do wish BA would create better career paths between BA and BACF but in the absence of that BACF is an increasingly bespoke outfit.
Jul 10, 2018, 2:36 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 303
It would hardly be worth bringing the gear up, let alone distributing menus to chose your meal from!! 
Great Circle Mapper
Great Circle Mapper
Jul 10, 2018, 2:43 am
#34
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 774
Exactly - and possibly a much worse seat. I posted recently on another thread about my own experience of this ex-LHR - including the ignoring bit.
Jul 10, 2018, 2:52 am
#36
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Increasingly rarely on a plane
Programs: Losing status by the day
Posts: 611
This was a few years ago now, but it still irritates from its pettiness: I was upgraded as a gold to CE on an evening departure out of LCY. The SCCM served me first and loudly said "I know you were upgraded so here's your Euro Traveller snack" and she served my drink in a plastic cup.
Jul 10, 2018, 2:57 am
#37
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
At least for LHR you get the guaranteed (rather than theoretical) blocked middle seat and possibly the table, there is literally no difference between ET and CE hard product on an LCY flight other than being slightly further forward than you would have been before. You're not even getting free drinks as an extra as you get those in ET anyway - I suppose if you're desperate for champagne then that's on offer. It basically boils down to (possibly) getting a hot towel and drinks in glasses rather than plastic cups!
Jul 10, 2018, 3:56 am
#38
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
I guess what the OP has highlighted here is the commercial mindset which informs such policy decisions.
You can either -
a) create a whole procedure for those pax who will supposedly benefit from a late CE ‘upgrade’ : notification, both at the time of upgrade and then again onboard, that there will be no CE meal offered ; and then the offer of something from BoB supplies.
This is the BA way - in theory, at least. But we know that in practice these procedures are not always followed ; and surprise, surprise, such failure can result in a (wholly-avoidable) sense of grievance on the part of the passenger/s involved.
or
b) keep things simple : ensure that every flight is loaded with a couple of spare meal trays.
This is not the BA way. It would cost maybe around £5 or so. And there, in a nutshell, is why it doesn’t happen.
You can either -
a) create a whole procedure for those pax who will supposedly benefit from a late CE ‘upgrade’ : notification, both at the time of upgrade and then again onboard, that there will be no CE meal offered ; and then the offer of something from BoB supplies.
This is the BA way - in theory, at least. But we know that in practice these procedures are not always followed ; and surprise, surprise, such failure can result in a (wholly-avoidable) sense of grievance on the part of the passenger/s involved.
or
b) keep things simple : ensure that every flight is loaded with a couple of spare meal trays.
This is not the BA way. It would cost maybe around £5 or so. And there, in a nutshell, is why it doesn’t happen.
Jul 10, 2018, 4:02 am
#39
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: CGK
Posts: 2,375
Jul 10, 2018, 4:34 am
#40
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,945
I don't fly that much short-haul and much of it is back-to-backs to AMS, but it always seems to me that quite a few pax decline a meal completely. So presumably this is one of those things that often/usually works out OK, but sometimes the late bookers and the op-ups really don't get a chance.
The last time I started an AMS back-to-back, I heard the CSM saying to several passengers that there might not be a meal for them because they had booked late. It was done politely and tactfully, and that I think is what ought to happen (having seen it before as well). I was in CE in both directions, so I asked her to do everyone else in the cabin first, and then I'd have something if there was anything left - and there was, so quite a few people must have declined.
The last time I started an AMS back-to-back, I heard the CSM saying to several passengers that there might not be a meal for them because they had booked late. It was done politely and tactfully, and that I think is what ought to happen (having seen it before as well). I was in CE in both directions, so I asked her to do everyone else in the cabin first, and then I'd have something if there was anything left - and there was, so quite a few people must have declined.
Jul 10, 2018, 4:49 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BAEC Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 450
Menu on today’s 8715 1040 EDI-LCY.
All LCY-STN flights get menus, in a somewhat different style to LHR or LGW, and indeed a different rotation series to LHR/LGW. That includes domestics. For LHR and LGW the menu is only issued for Long flights and to some extent that is understandable - on Short / Mediums it is currently a simple choice between some sort of salad or some sort of panini dish. For Long routes the two hot meals probably need more detail and more consideration.
Jul 10, 2018, 5:20 am
#42
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 149
I got an OpUp last night LCY-EDI, happens occasionally on this route at peak times, especially in summer. No menus were distributed, and then service was first offered to two ‘real’ CE passengers, which made sense, and then to three BA staff in full uniform who were re-positioning due to IRROPs.
It was clear that myself and the other OpUp only got offered a meal because two of the staff turned it down. I did not even want a meal, and would have gladly not eaten for one of the staff to do so - but the way it was handled was really awkward because we were all mixed throughout the cabin. Would have much preferred a sensible conversation with the crew - if I did not know to expect this messing about from this board I would have had no idea what was going on!
It was clear that myself and the other OpUp only got offered a meal because two of the staff turned it down. I did not even want a meal, and would have gladly not eaten for one of the staff to do so - but the way it was handled was really awkward because we were all mixed throughout the cabin. Would have much preferred a sensible conversation with the crew - if I did not know to expect this messing about from this board I would have had no idea what was going on!
Jul 10, 2018, 5:51 am
#43
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,163
These upgrades are not really upgrades then are they? Indeed, if being "upgraded" out of an ET exit seat you could argue that it is in fact a downgrade. The meal is the only difference between CE and ET on these routes and unless going to the first row, there is no seating improvement from an upgrade.
Jul 10, 2018, 6:10 am
#44
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
A move from an exit row in Y to a CE seat providing less legroom (whilst quite possibly being ignored during meal service, as was the OP) could perhaps be more attractive if you were offered some form of compensation, whether in the form of cash or Avios.
Jul 10, 2018, 6:11 am
#45
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London
Programs: plenty - ggl, ccr, etc, etc.
Posts: 1,704
These upgrades are not really upgrades then are they? Indeed, if being "upgraded" out of an ET exit seat you could argue that it is in fact a downgrade. The meal is the only difference between CE and ET on these routes and unless going to the first row, there is no seating improvement from an upgrade.
They got something for nothing and yet still moan about not getting something they never paid for.
I think a quick reality check is needed for all here.
If I was BA then I’d make the OP a NSFU in future. You really can’t claim entitlement to something you never paid for.