In First - Meal given to another passenger
May 20, 2019, 2:52 am
#46
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,345
I would certainly put in a written complaint and ask for more compensation - I got 10,000 avios for complaining about the poor quality of the catering on an F flight from CPT - but at least I got some food, so you should certainly be expecting more than that, especially given your lack of lounge provision in the US.
May 20, 2019, 3:23 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: DUB/ORD/SIN/PVG
Programs: EI AerClub Concierge, EK Gold, BA Gold, BD Gold (Retired), HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 2,923
May 20, 2019, 4:03 am
#48
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: JAX
Programs: Ex-BA/AA/CP/LY staff, BA Executive Club Blue, IHG Diamond, Marriott Silver, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 3,583
Compensation is due, of course. But 2.85 pieces of cake for the price of none? No.
May 20, 2019, 5:53 am
#49
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,983
The mistake was a relatively minor one, albeit one that had an impact on the OP's enjoyment of the flight. At the point the mistake is discovered it seems to me that the situation should be relatively easy to salvage, but it does not sound to me as though the crew handled the next bit very well. It's not clear what alternatives were offered, although clearly they did make some effort to accommodate the OP, but due to allergy the alternative was not feasible. The OP might need to expand on that in more detail. I would have have expected them to make every effort to cobble together something, including looking at CW meals etc., offering dessert, cheese etc. To be fair, most BA crews I've come across seem pretty good at such improvisation.
What's definitely not good is telling the other passenger. Very poor and unprofessional.
And of course the state of the cabin adds to the poor impression.
It just seems to me that this could have been de-escalated to the point of very much being a non-story, but instead the OP is left feeling very disappointed, which is a shame. Complaints about BA F are quite frequent. I think the main problem is not that is is a terrible product, but simply that too often the expectations are greater than what BA seemingly is able to or willing to deliver.
What's definitely not good is telling the other passenger. Very poor and unprofessional.
And of course the state of the cabin adds to the poor impression.
It just seems to me that this could have been de-escalated to the point of very much being a non-story, but instead the OP is left feeling very disappointed, which is a shame. Complaints about BA F are quite frequent. I think the main problem is not that is is a terrible product, but simply that too often the expectations are greater than what BA seemingly is able to or willing to deliver.
May 20, 2019, 5:54 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 10,709
The older lady comment, is in reference to the first flights which was full of older wealthy people without credit cards. So no doubt without the stress of Lloyds bank but with lots of money in their accounts.
I wasnt around when the first flights were in action, from the pics I have seen its mostly older people. I suspect not just the cost, but the lack of credit. Again Lloyds bank..
I believe, I have only just come on and read the last few comment. I recall the comment was about people causing a fuss I felt that ladies who lunch certainly make sure, through comments, that they arent happy.
I know all too well, the price all too well of flying the privilege of BA first to the East coast of the US, well my bank does.
I wasnt saying that anyone shoudnt be disgruntled, even further by air plane food. As much as its easy to do so. That wasnt, the aim of the comment. In some ways the thread was a past event which no one will ever change the events that unfolded.
I do tend just to go for the cheese and biscuits. But each to their own, on a flight.
May 20, 2019, 6:29 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)
Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Bronze)
Posts: 15,119
That's generalising across a vast number of people and very unfair as a result. I've had excellent crew in F through to Y and the odd less than stellar flight.
May 20, 2019, 6:37 am
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)
Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Bronze)
Posts: 15,119
OP, I always have a special AVML meal. I have been a "victim" of such a mistake once. Crew was inconvenienced when I requested them to put together something with cheese , fruits , nuts....
Ever since then as we all settle down I get hold of the CCmember serving "my side" and remind her/him of my AVML. Has worked every time since then. Most travels in J, occasional F.
Ever since then as we all settle down I get hold of the CCmember serving "my side" and remind her/him of my AVML. Has worked every time since then. Most travels in J, occasional F.
May 20, 2019, 7:12 am
#53
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UK
Programs: Virgin Flying Club Red, Emirates Skywards Blue, BA Executive Club Blue, Amex BA
Posts: 2,376
The older you get the more you grow to realise that you have never seen it all and new surprises happen every day. I wonder what the passenger in 3K who presumably hadn’t asked for any food thought when presented with the OP’s food mid-Atlantic! I can see how some people would just go with it rather than make a fuss but it does seem strange.
OP - will you write in? This is one of those situations where, once the meal has been eaten, if there isn’t a spare, it is very difficult to fix. You also mention seat power issues and seat issues.
I think you need to decide whether you want to pursue it further (and if you do, what you would like to achieve). 6,500 Avios for no main meal in international first class (and the service cock up that led to it - yes mistakes happen but it should be put right) feels low to me, so I’d be tempted to write a concise letter to BA and see what they say. I suspect they will politely tell you they’re sorry to hear that you didn’t receive your first choice of meal and they understand how disappointing this must have been but having reviewed the case thoroughly they are unable to offer you anything more, but if you don’t ask you don’t get*.
*except in the case of Mr/s 3K who didn’t ask for pork 6 hours into the flight but got it anyway.
OP - will you write in? This is one of those situations where, once the meal has been eaten, if there isn’t a spare, it is very difficult to fix. You also mention seat power issues and seat issues.
I think you need to decide whether you want to pursue it further (and if you do, what you would like to achieve). 6,500 Avios for no main meal in international first class (and the service cock up that led to it - yes mistakes happen but it should be put right) feels low to me, so I’d be tempted to write a concise letter to BA and see what they say. I suspect they will politely tell you they’re sorry to hear that you didn’t receive your first choice of meal and they understand how disappointing this must have been but having reviewed the case thoroughly they are unable to offer you anything more, but if you don’t ask you don’t get*.
*except in the case of Mr/s 3K who didn’t ask for pork 6 hours into the flight but got it anyway.
May 20, 2019, 7:16 am
#54
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Spitalfields, London
Programs: BA Gold, KFC 'The Colonel's Club' Palladium tier, Mucci des Visions Célestes du Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Posts: 2,317
Was 3Ks table set when the pork was presented? It would have been a red flag if not?
May 20, 2019, 7:29 am
#55
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
The mistake was a relatively minor one, albeit one that had an impact on the OP's enjoyment of the flight. At the point the mistake is discovered it seems to me that the situation should be relatively easy to salvage, but it does not sound to me as though the crew handled the next bit very well. It's not clear what alternatives were offered, although clearly they did make some effort to accommodate the OP, but due to allergy the alternative was not feasible. The OP might need to expand on that in more detail. I would have have expected them to make every effort to cobble together something, including looking at CW meals etc., offering dessert, cheese etc. To be fair, most BA crews I've come across seem pretty good at such improvisation.
What's definitely not good is telling the other passenger. Very poor and unprofessional.
And of course the state of the cabin adds to the poor impression.
It just seems to me that this could have been de-escalated to the point of very much being a non-story, but instead the OP is left feeling very disappointed, which is a shame. Complaints about BA F are quite frequent. I think the main problem is not that is is a terrible product, but simply that too often the expectations are greater than what BA seemingly is able to or willing to deliver.
What's definitely not good is telling the other passenger. Very poor and unprofessional.
And of course the state of the cabin adds to the poor impression.
It just seems to me that this could have been de-escalated to the point of very much being a non-story, but instead the OP is left feeling very disappointed, which is a shame. Complaints about BA F are quite frequent. I think the main problem is not that is is a terrible product, but simply that too often the expectations are greater than what BA seemingly is able to or willing to deliver.
May 20, 2019, 8:43 am
#56
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: YEG
Programs: Table scraps from Aeroplan and AmEx Plat
Posts: 896
This immediately evoked a mental image of Bart Simpson in a BA uniform writing the number 3 over and over on a blackboard. Or was it the number 2, I can't remember, sorry I'm not IQ-ing very well this morning.
Last edited by bambinomartino; May 20, 2019 at 9:48 am
May 20, 2019, 10:55 am
#57
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, EK Gold, GF Silver, IC Royal Ambass, Marriott Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 902
BA should go back to the old days of not letting crew anywhere near F until they’ve flown for a few years and proven themselves capable of being let loose on premium cabins.
May 20, 2019, 12:18 pm
#58
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,926
May 20, 2019, 1:22 pm
#59
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
Now mistakes can and do happen. BA has some very inexperienced crew, even in F on that route, which means they must expect the incidence of mistakes to be higher and plan for it. I always say that it’s not the mistakes which count but the way in which they are handled and it does seem that the CSM didn’t handle this too well. I find this a bigger failing than the crew member that made the mistake with the meal in the first place. BA must also answer for the failing as an organisation because I also suspect that a lack of catering loaded has probably limited the CSM’s ability to offer the OP alternative meals. Surely something could be found on board even if it meant raiding CW and PE catering and the club kitchen.
May 20, 2019, 4:13 pm
#60
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,983
I am taking the OP at face value. The point I am making is that whilst it is clear that the CC did something to find alternatives, it is not clear exactly what lengths they went to. It may have been significant lengths, or it may have been not no significant lengths. If their response was perfunctory, then it reflects even more poorly on the CC. There was no cross examination, either on allergy problems or at all.