Mikey Mike Mike

In the last four years since "commuting" from Toronto to London 7-8 times a year, I've seen the demise of nibbles, the second meal etc etc. It's been interesting to see the eventual realisation by BA that their core customer base place value on the in flight experience as well as price. You only have to look at reviews for the LCCs where when people factor in bags, food, drinks and IFE - they realise they should have gone with a legacy carrier (for a lack of hassle if nothing else) . I can remember the trip where the tiny bag of pretzels was dropped (to save costs). Perhaps 10 cents a unit (plus the weight of carrying / and handling I accept) but the crew were seriously embarrassed and frequently encouraged PAX to complain.
One introduction which remains half baked with no decent explanation is the offering of sparkiing wine in PE before take off. Now I accept it's cheap fizz and it's warm and the quantity is not going to induce much of a haze, but it's only offered from LHR and not to LHR. I continue to ask for sparkling wine on boarding in YYZ to be told " we only do it from London - its a customs thing" to "its harder to do out of Toronto" types of excuses. When I point out it's perfectly managable in club and first, the crew usually give up excusing what appears to be cost driven. At Heathrow, I've see crew walk back from the Biz galley with the precious cargo of two bottles of prosecco which is poured at the back and brought forward to PE. Its a shame as both AC on the same route and QANTAS serve sparking wine in PE before take off with seconds. One savy crew, sneaked me one back from club which was nice but against the rules.
I wonder if there are other quirky service adjustments or inconsistency that others have come across

mikeyfly

I thought the long haul Y catering had been significantly increased? I've not travelled Y long haul for a few years, but I do read all the ups and downs on here !!

Can I help you

corporate-wage-slave

And it is only a tiny secret that WTP is being relaunched or refreshed in the next few months, focus being catering and drink options. I did hear a rumour that the previous CW blankets are being carefully stored.....

LSunbury

That's good to know, I am booked WT+ to SEA in November so hopefully will benefit. Last year's trip I was op-up'ed in both directions but i can't imagine that happening again.

onobond

That is certainly good news, and we need more of those, for sure.

But can the old CW blankets help keeping the bubbly cool during YYZ turnover?

trueblu

Last year, I'd agree with the OP: the cuts were really beginning to show. But the reinstatement of snacks. second meal etc have been very welcome recently (we are so well trained: take something away, then bring it back and we're happier than the initial status quo!). I'm teetotal, so lack of poor quality fizz has not personally bothered me, but I do see the irritation in lack of consistent service standard to/ from London.

tb

bigwalrus

On my WT+ flight from JFK to LHR on Friday evening, I was offered sparkling wine. I declined and chose water instead as I was desperate for some sleep, but the offer was there.

No idea if the wine was chilled, however!

williamn78

TheFlyingCyclist

World Traveller Fuss

This was quite cheeky of BA. They restored the service they had previously + ice creams (and graze boxes on the longest flights). We're celebrating about a mini magnum and a few nuts?

I look forward to the revamp of WTP later this year. I find it's often the best value cabin, but they do skimp on key elements like the 2nd meal service and pre-departure drinks.

CKBA

I haven't had any fizz in WT+ exUS for a long time. The customs argument doesn't hold water (so to speak) since CW/F has it served. The chilled element is a bit bonkers too since many of us, although not ideal, would accept room-temperature fizz :-( .

On a UK-US trip the other week I did venture down the back for a natter with the CC on another matter - they topped me up with some G&T, but did have to apologise when they had to strain the dregs of the ice container since they only get loaded with a certain amount - which clearly was insufficient for the trip.

Mikey Mike Mike

Thanks for the insights. I agree that if they can crack it in club / first (and given the bottles at LHR are loaded into the club galley I think) then WTP is not difficult to sort!

A couple of my YYZ to LHR trips are on Avios in Club/ First, then one a year on business where I travel WTP (and pay the difference myself from WT,) and 3 or 4 i pay for myself. (the peril of an aging mother who needs to see her baby!!) These WTP trips at 180 tps a return trip, maintain me silver. On a daytime flight, with two heavy bags, club check in, fast track, biz lounge and priority boarding means I don't begrudge walking past biz and we all face forward too! (and according to other sites - the width is the same as biz)
I do hope that WTP gets a make over. It's usually good, but there is no way the main meal is a biz level entree! The most irritating aspect (which others in thread agree with) is the morphing into WT by the middle of the flight. I flew AC to Sydney earlier this year YYZ - YVR - SYD and again, after the first meal - you're back in economy service wise though in a 16 hour flight 2-4-2 in PE was a zillion times better than Economy in a densified 10 across 777-200LR.
A number of airlines state that PE is a growth area for them as demonstrated by the densified BA LGW 777 fleet doubling the number of seats. A few extra quid, some consistency and some thought around the entire flight and not the first two hours - would make PE really good!

Bar Operator

Mikey Mike Mike

Thanks for the insight. However, they open bottles of bubbly for club and first and as a bystander - I assume they comply with the rules and the law. My point is that if they are legally loading Champagne for First and Biz, 2 more bottles of cheap prosecco in the same duty paid cart should be easy - but it's not apparently! I would understand if there was a law about serving warm and cheap prosecco on the ground or in the air- but alas, despite the French and Italian factions lobbying for and against - it is yet to gain traction.
And as a PS - I've spelt prosecco correctly (IMHO and confirmed by Dr Google) - and so if it's wrong - I apologise !!)