Club Europe catering | opinions and general discussion
Sep 13, 2018, 8:53 am
#61
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: AMS / DUS / DXB
Programs: BAEC Silver | Flying Blue Gold | Accor Gold
Posts: 107
Two ordered special meals and two regular brunches were on board for a five man club europe cabin.
Sep 13, 2018, 8:55 am
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,491
Sep 13, 2018, 9:08 am
#63
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 108
kidneys ahhhh
i'm afraid it hasn't made an appearance on CE menus for a very, very long time!
And for the records, I wish those of you who fight for black pudding in English breakfast (agree) would add kidneys to their plea (just as necessary!!) If you're gonna do it, do it well is what I say!!
(on a serious note, on the face of it and whilst waiting to experience all this in person to confirm my judgement, I despise the look of almost all the changes BA are proposing here except precisely the reintroduction of a cold plate option for breakkie which I very much welcome!)
And for the records, I wish those of you who fight for black pudding in English breakfast (agree) would add kidneys to their plea (just as necessary!!) If you're gonna do it, do it well is what I say!!
(on a serious note, on the face of it and whilst waiting to experience all this in person to confirm my judgement, I despise the look of almost all the changes BA are proposing here except precisely the reintroduction of a cold plate option for breakkie which I very much welcome!)
Our best breakfast at BMA when I joined in 1977 was served on the MME-LHR 0725 departure, a DC-9
big sausage, smoked bacon, mushrooms and kidneys - all in their juices and much tastier once arrived they at LHR and we snapped up any leftovers!
The Teesside flight catering was supplied by the old George airport hotel next door...awesome
Sep 14, 2018, 7:55 am
#64
Suspended
Join Date: May 2011
Location: London
Programs: *A G, OW S.
Posts: 996
kidneys
Our best breakfast at BMA when I joined in 1977 was served on the MME-LHR 0725 departure, a DC-9
big sausage, smoked bacon, mushrooms and kidneys - all in their juices and much tastier once arrived they at LHR and we snapped up any leftovers!
The Teesside flight catering was supplied by the old George airport hotel next door...awesome
Our best breakfast at BMA when I joined in 1977 was served on the MME-LHR 0725 departure, a DC-9
big sausage, smoked bacon, mushrooms and kidneys - all in their juices and much tastier once arrived they at LHR and we snapped up any leftovers!
The Teesside flight catering was supplied by the old George airport hotel next door...awesome
Sep 16, 2018, 9:05 am
#66
Join Date: May 2016
Location: EDI
Programs: Was BA GGL but no longer travelling
Posts: 583
BA1445 catering
Today I had a rare daytime flight; most of my weekly jaunts are breakfast or dinner, and I was in CE. I chose the coronation chicken.
The food was excellent! Really tasty main, the bread was nice and warm, and the chocolate mousse was fantastic.
I need to change my flight schedule! The EDI to LCY/LGW/LHR breakfasts are getting tired
.
I don’t know if BA monitor this forum, but today’s catering was a definite thumbs up.
I’m now in Galleries South awaiting my ARN flight; hopefully the theme will continue....
Jim
The food was excellent! Really tasty main, the bread was nice and warm, and the chocolate mousse was fantastic.
I need to change my flight schedule! The EDI to LCY/LGW/LHR breakfasts are getting tired
.I don’t know if BA monitor this forum, but today’s catering was a definite thumbs up.
I’m now in Galleries South awaiting my ARN flight; hopefully the theme will continue....
Jim
Sep 16, 2018, 9:11 am
#67
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,906
Have a look at the following topic, it provides more information about the new CE catering: Club Europe catering | menus, reviews and photos
Sep 17, 2018, 6:44 pm
#69
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Toronto
Programs: BA Exec Club - Demoted to Bronze and re-promoted to Silver alongside AC Elite 50K (gold) in 2022
Posts: 393
I have spoken to a couple of good friends who are either SH crew or Pursers. (but no MF crew). They are genuinely pleased with the product, and a recurring theme is being proud to serve the product. I always think it makes such a difference when employees can endorse the product, enthuse about the service, and be proud of what they're doing.
There has been consistent comment on the loads for each being wrong with the same things running out. (covered elsewhere in the thread). I assume they feed this back and BA caterers take not. It's not rocket science to have software on the Purser's tablet confirming choices of PAX, and where 1st / 2nd choices were not available. You could analyse second choices too to look for patterns. Simple algorithms would quickly calculate an accurate stab on choices on any day, on any flight and even by load. Imagine looking at the PAX's previous choices based on their Exec club membership. Add a reasonable % as described elsewhere in over catering and the problem should largely go away. (perhaps BA already do this) And don't forget DO&CO only start in 2020, and so though there are various DO&CO products on the tray, the current caterer is producing the product overall.
I'd be curious on the amount of leftovers too. It's not Club World food, but a simple of survey of the number of economy pretzel breakfast rolls with cream cheese would tell BA it's vile, rarely chosen and rarely finished!
Insiders may know, but I'm assuming BA asked crew as well as customers. Customer insight and focus groups is massive, and herding (the collective verb for managing FFs) a few hundred Exec club members who travel club would tell BA what to keep menu wise and where to make the changes. Even if they had run sample groups of 20 - they would have got a really good feel for the split in choices on random groups, or at different times of days, different destinations etc
Finally, my (anon) friends all said that there was often insufficient time to complete the service as per the book. They had worked out short cuts already and admitted they were already faster with a few tricks and familiarity. One contributor in the thread talked about 4 crew on a A319 which I thought was +1 unless it's done on busy routes where two are needed in club??
I'm really thrilled that BA have done this. Cynically, its been forced in my opinion from poor online reviews, complaints and their dropping in ranking (on some sites). The costs - particularly the start up costs are large, but the delta in the food bill can't be that large per person. Perhaps 10-15 quid. It will be interesting to see whether club prices rise, or it's a genuine attempt to focus on quality. The more subtle nudge from BA is to extend the gulf between Economy and Club so (other than the seating which we all hate), the delta between the two fares can be justified with a better food offering. More than once, I've declined club europe as the price difference for a silver / gold member comes down to free booze and food. (with bags, security, check in, lounge and boarding already provided.) On a shorter flight, you're better off having a slap up meal in T5 and pocket the difference.
Based in Toronto, I fly business class on AC. I look forward to comparing the offering on a 2-4 hour flight on the two carriers.
WELL DONE BA - now lets see what they do with Premium Economy long haul!! (my pet hate)
There has been consistent comment on the loads for each being wrong with the same things running out. (covered elsewhere in the thread). I assume they feed this back and BA caterers take not. It's not rocket science to have software on the Purser's tablet confirming choices of PAX, and where 1st / 2nd choices were not available. You could analyse second choices too to look for patterns. Simple algorithms would quickly calculate an accurate stab on choices on any day, on any flight and even by load. Imagine looking at the PAX's previous choices based on their Exec club membership. Add a reasonable % as described elsewhere in over catering and the problem should largely go away. (perhaps BA already do this) And don't forget DO&CO only start in 2020, and so though there are various DO&CO products on the tray, the current caterer is producing the product overall.
I'd be curious on the amount of leftovers too. It's not Club World food, but a simple of survey of the number of economy pretzel breakfast rolls with cream cheese would tell BA it's vile, rarely chosen and rarely finished!
Insiders may know, but I'm assuming BA asked crew as well as customers. Customer insight and focus groups is massive, and herding (the collective verb for managing FFs) a few hundred Exec club members who travel club would tell BA what to keep menu wise and where to make the changes. Even if they had run sample groups of 20 - they would have got a really good feel for the split in choices on random groups, or at different times of days, different destinations etc
Finally, my (anon) friends all said that there was often insufficient time to complete the service as per the book. They had worked out short cuts already and admitted they were already faster with a few tricks and familiarity. One contributor in the thread talked about 4 crew on a A319 which I thought was +1 unless it's done on busy routes where two are needed in club??
I'm really thrilled that BA have done this. Cynically, its been forced in my opinion from poor online reviews, complaints and their dropping in ranking (on some sites). The costs - particularly the start up costs are large, but the delta in the food bill can't be that large per person. Perhaps 10-15 quid. It will be interesting to see whether club prices rise, or it's a genuine attempt to focus on quality. The more subtle nudge from BA is to extend the gulf between Economy and Club so (other than the seating which we all hate), the delta between the two fares can be justified with a better food offering. More than once, I've declined club europe as the price difference for a silver / gold member comes down to free booze and food. (with bags, security, check in, lounge and boarding already provided.) On a shorter flight, you're better off having a slap up meal in T5 and pocket the difference.
Based in Toronto, I fly business class on AC. I look forward to comparing the offering on a 2-4 hour flight on the two carriers.
WELL DONE BA - now lets see what they do with Premium Economy long haul!! (my pet hate)
Last edited by Prospero; Sep 18, 2018 at 1:22 am Reason: remove duplicated content
Jul 4, 2019, 12:04 pm
#71
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,398
What’s the current menu rotation at LGW? I recall LHR being different or more frequent with the menu rotation. Specifically I’m thinking Band3 rest of day.
Albeit I’m not necessarily looking spoilers
just interested whether the menu are monthly rotations at LGW? Or am I asking too much?
Albeit I’m not necessarily looking spoilers
just interested whether the menu are monthly rotations at LGW? Or am I asking too much? 
Jul 4, 2019, 12:09 pm
#72
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,020
What’s the current menu rotation at LGW? I recall LHR being different or more frequent with the menu rotation. Specifically I’m thinking Band3 rest of day.
Albeit I’m not necessarily looking spoilers just interested whether the menu are monthly rotations at LGW? Or am I asking too much?
Albeit I’m not necessarily looking spoilers
just interested whether the menu are monthly rotations at LGW? Or am I asking too much?^
Jul 4, 2019, 12:11 pm
#73
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,689
Monthly rotations for LGW, every 2 weeks for LHR. I think the plan is for LGW to also go to either every 2 weeks or twice monthly at some point.
Jul 4, 2019, 3:13 pm
#74
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,398
AFAIK it is new rotation every two weeks at LHR. Then every month (or four weeks?) at LGW. Not sure the days they swap either. There will be more information in the other thread: Club Europe catering | menus, reviews and photos
^
^
Glad the rotations are more frequent than I originally thought. Thanks also to CWS reply
