Afternoon tea....without any tea
May 12, 2019, 11:02 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 451
Afternoon tea....without any tea
I had my first experience of the new BA shorthaul menu on a flight from AGP to LHR last night. I was only really interested in trying the Speedbird 100, but some around me opted for the Afternoon Tea.
They were surprised to find that it doesn't actually come with a cup of tea. That's extra. The descriptive wording talks (deceptively in my opinon) about pairing your £5 scone with a tea. It doesn't mention that will be at your cost.
Deceptive, just plain tight or fair enough?
They were surprised to find that it doesn't actually come with a cup of tea. That's extra. The descriptive wording talks (deceptively in my opinon) about pairing your £5 scone with a tea. It doesn't mention that will be at your cost.
Deceptive, just plain tight or fair enough?
Last edited by Adstring; May 12, 2019 at 4:02 pm
May 12, 2019, 11:14 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,228
If it’s sold as afternoon tea then it should come with tea!
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/di.../afternoon-tea
variable noun
Afternoon tea is a small meal you can have in the afternoon. It includes a cup of tea and food such as sandwiches and cakes
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/di.../afternoon-tea
variable noun
Afternoon tea is a small meal you can have in the afternoon. It includes a cup of tea and food such as sandwiches and cakes
May 12, 2019, 12:22 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North Yorkshire, UK / Pasadena CA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,311
Clunk. That was my jaw hitting the deck. Are you telling us that something described on a menu as Afternoon Tea actually comprises just a scone? And that you can buy a cuppa separately? That's very enterprising. It opens the door to a whole new menu concept:
Fish 'n' Chips £10 (BYOFish)
Gin & Tonic £6 (mixer). Our pairing suggestions: gin (£7), ice (50p)
Caesar Salad £4 (lettuce leaves)
available separately: anchovies (£1.50) lime juice (50p). garlic (25p) black pepper (25p) ...
Fish 'n' Chips £10 (BYOFish)
Gin & Tonic £6 (mixer). Our pairing suggestions: gin (£7), ice (50p)
Caesar Salad £4 (lettuce leaves)
available separately: anchovies (£1.50) lime juice (50p). garlic (25p) black pepper (25p) ...
May 12, 2019, 12:28 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: British Airways Executive Club, Virgin Flying Club
Posts: 154
Clunk. That was my jaw hitting the deck. Are you telling us that something described on a menu as Afternoon Tea actually comprises just a scone? And that you can buy a cuppa separately? That's very enterprising. It opens the door to a whole new menu concept:
Fish 'n' Chips £10 (BYOFish)
Gin & Tonic £6 (mixer). Our pairing suggestions: gin (£7), ice (50p)
Caesar Salad £4 (lettuce leaves)
available separately: anchovies (£1.50) lime juice (50p). garlic (25p) black pepper (25p) ...
Fish 'n' Chips £10 (BYOFish)
Gin & Tonic £6 (mixer). Our pairing suggestions: gin (£7), ice (50p)
Caesar Salad £4 (lettuce leaves)
available separately: anchovies (£1.50) lime juice (50p). garlic (25p) black pepper (25p) ...
May 12, 2019, 12:30 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
Clunk. That was my jaw hitting the deck. Are you telling us that something described on a menu as Afternoon Tea actually comprises just a scone? And that you can buy a cuppa separately? That's very enterprising. It opens the door to a whole new menu concept:
Fish 'n' Chips £10 (BYOFish)
Gin & Tonic £6 (mixer). Our pairing suggestions: gin (£7), ice (50p)
Caesar Salad £4 (lettuce leaves)
available separately: anchovies (£1.50) lime juice (50p). garlic (25p) black pepper (25p) ...
Fish 'n' Chips £10 (BYOFish)
Gin & Tonic £6 (mixer). Our pairing suggestions: gin (£7), ice (50p)
Caesar Salad £4 (lettuce leaves)
available separately: anchovies (£1.50) lime juice (50p). garlic (25p) black pepper (25p) ...
May 12, 2019, 12:49 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Provincie Antwerpen, Vlaanderen, België
Programs: MUCCI Gold
Posts: 2,512
I went off and checked this. Indeed it's there for all to see on the website - your afternoon tea gets you a 90g sultana scone (presumably with exactly one sultana), 28g of strawberry preserve and 28g of clotted cream. It is also stated as not being an M&S product - no doubt to save M&S from the embarrassment. All for the princely sum of £5.00 or 715 Avios. Fabulous value, not.
I can't think of any other establishment where I've had afternoon tea where the tea wasn't included in the price. Anyone trying that would probably be greeted with outrage.
I can't think of any other establishment where I've had afternoon tea where the tea wasn't included in the price. Anyone trying that would probably be greeted with outrage.
May 12, 2019, 2:21 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold-GGL
Posts: 1,184
I suspect the use of the term 'tea' in this context relates to a meal rather than the beverage.
So afternoon tea is a meal served in the afternoon.
Whether one scone with a bit of cream and jam constitutes a meal, and whether £5 is a fair price to pay for it, are two entirely separate discussions.
So afternoon tea is a meal served in the afternoon.
Whether one scone with a bit of cream and jam constitutes a meal, and whether £5 is a fair price to pay for it, are two entirely separate discussions.
May 12, 2019, 2:24 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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May 12, 2019, 2:37 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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if you book a hotel room inclusive of English breakfast, you’d be miffed if you are brought some toasts but told you have to pay extra if you also want tea or coffee because conventionally those are seen as an integral component of an English breakfast, and extra for eggs and bacon too because your hotel explains many English people have toast for breakfast as again, the conventional understanding of what an English breakfast is involves a hot eggs and meats component.
May 12, 2019, 2:47 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA 1MM lifetime gold, Starwood gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 719
I would have thought that the ‘afternoon tea’ label needs to be revoked ASAP and the item should be correctly re-advertised as ‘scone with cream and jam’. ‘Afternoon tea’ should (in addition to the actual tea) comprise finger sandwiches, scone and cake.
This is is another infuriating example of BA trying to fob customers off with false advertising.
This is is another infuriating example of BA trying to fob customers off with false advertising.