Large CE Cabins
Aug 11, 19, 7:37 am
#46
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 710
I flew to LCA earlier this week and CE stretched to row 12 or 13. Hot towels were offered and drinks were served with the meal for those wanting them as it was breakfast but there was a separate drinks run later in the flight. Folks were going up and asking for drinks in between rather than ring the call bell for some reason.
Overall, given the length of the flight we were looked after ok but I wouldn’t call the crew overly engaging.
I was in 1C enjoying my newly acquired gold status but it was horrible... There was constant queuing for the loo just in front of me, mums walking with toddlers and babies and it was quite noisy from the galley so I’m going back in 3A...
Overall, given the length of the flight we were looked after ok but I wouldn’t call the crew overly engaging.
I was in 1C enjoying my newly acquired gold status but it was horrible... There was constant queuing for the loo just in front of me, mums walking with toddlers and babies and it was quite noisy from the galley so I’m going back in 3A...
Aug 11, 19, 8:19 am
#48
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: BAEC Silver, Mucci recipient
Posts: 1,499
In my experience CE with 8 or more rows and 90% full service falls below expectation. Food choice often runs out around row 5 so you're left with whatever the first 10 passengers did not choose. Drinks service is fine but you are often not likely to get a second chance. You can always call crew but it's hit and miss.
Aug 11, 19, 8:24 am
#49
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 31,580
As a 1C user (Band 1 & 4 only), I’ve not had many issues with a large CE deployment, but I’ve certainly noticed how long it can take for the CC to get through the rest of the cabin.
I do recall one trip (1735, JER-LGW with 8 rows) where 2 trolleys were being used. The rearmost CC kept distracting the forward CC asking for Crocque Monsieur from the ovens, which bogged down the service to the front rows enormously. We were in Row 2 on that occasion, and it took us 15 minutes from the start to be served ... by which time there was only one left, and that arrived cold!!
I do recall one trip (1735, JER-LGW with 8 rows) where 2 trolleys were being used. The rearmost CC kept distracting the forward CC asking for Crocque Monsieur from the ovens, which bogged down the service to the front rows enormously. We were in Row 2 on that occasion, and it took us 15 minutes from the start to be served ... by which time there was only one left, and that arrived cold!!
Last edited by T8191; Aug 11, 19 at 8:32 am
Aug 11, 19, 8:27 am
#50
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BA Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 430
Originally Posted by noFODplease
I am in 1A so should be served pretty quick - but if the hope of a second round of drinks is more than an hour away after that I shall have to psychologically prepare myself! Do the crew feel overwhelmed on these flights?
flight does look reasonably busy in CE
Aug 11, 19, 8:38 am
#51
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London
Programs: plenty - ggl, ccr, etc, etc.
Posts: 1,704
Originally Posted by noFODplease
Just booked myself a Club Europe ticket on the BA632 to Athens next Saturday and I see that CE goes back to row 12. I know from past threads here that this isn't particularly unusual in itself, but I wondered what experiences people had of service levels on these front heavy short haul flights. Given the frequent comments about crewing levels it would be useful to know if I should be prepared for a quick pass by from the crew and little else.
I am in 1A so should be served pretty quick - but if the hope of a second round of drinks is more than an hour away after that I shall have to psychologically prepare myself! Do the crew feel overwhelmed on these flights?
I am in 1A so should be served pretty quick - but if the hope of a second round of drinks is more than an hour away after that I shall have to psychologically prepare myself! Do the crew feel overwhelmed on these flights?
So unless you know the crew plans then you won’t know!
Aug 11, 19, 8:56 am
#52
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Mucci: Classe de la Luxe Eternelle
Posts: 742
Originally Posted by Yannisb
I am off to BRU this afternoon with CE going back to row 8 on this 45 min flight. Usually, it doesn't go beyond row 6 so it will be interesting.
Yes I guess if there are three crew members allocated it should be fine. There must be a number that triggers this? Or is it more ad hoc
Aug 11, 19, 9:11 am
#54
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,701
We were on CDG to LHR with 12 full rows, in row 1. All got served quick, proactively asked for a second champers and the CC tried to get me to have a 3rd even tho it was 10am. Simple thing is just to ask if u want another drink. It's really not complicated and none of the crew have ever tutted at me for asking. As someone else mentioned, don't be afraid to ask for extra at the start. Can I have a red wine and a spare for after. They'll happily oblige.
Aug 11, 19, 9:31 am
#55
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,608
Originally Posted by TTmex
We were on CDG to LHR with 12 full rows, in row 1. All got served quick, proactively asked for a second champers and the CC tried to get me to have a 3rd even tho it was 10am.
Aug 11, 19, 9:35 am
#56
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: HAM
Programs: BA Gold, A3*G, LH FTL, IHG Plat
Posts: 204
I was on LHR - ARN yesterday which went to row 10 or 11, myself in row 2.
One CC dealing with the food while the other stayed in the galley preparing the drinks.
It took them roughly half the length of the flight to reach the last rows of CE, drink refills only happened after that and seemed almost to be a slight nuisance since those requests interrupted their gossip time in the galley...
Maybe I will try the "ask 2 drinks from the start" approach next time
One CC dealing with the food while the other stayed in the galley preparing the drinks.
It took them roughly half the length of the flight to reach the last rows of CE, drink refills only happened after that and seemed almost to be a slight nuisance since those requests interrupted their gossip time in the galley...
Maybe I will try the "ask 2 drinks from the start" approach next time
Last edited by SirToby; Aug 12, 19 at 5:41 am
Aug 11, 19, 9:38 am
#57
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,701
Originally Posted by Misco60
All BA cabin crew know that if an FTer doesn't get enough champagne, even at that time in the morning, they'll be griping on here within minutes of landing.
Aug 11, 19, 2:30 pm
#58
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Radisson Gold
Posts: 60
Originally Posted by noFODplease
Let us know how they manage!
Yes I guess if there are three crew members allocated it should be fine. There must be a number that triggers this? Or is it more ad hoc
A few weeks ago from TRN to LGW (BA2579) they only had 2 rows of CE and I was in 1A. There was only one CC and she had plenty of time so I had a few drinks which never happens when I travel to BRU... On a side note, I think it was an old A319 with a very dated cabin.
Aug 11, 19, 2:46 pm
#59
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - South Coast & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,372
Flying CE I am almost always in row 1 or 2. I ask for 2 drinks occasionally, when I sense it might be particularly busy or hectic, G&T plus wine etc. More often than not, its just one drink to start. When I want another drink(s) I either flag down a passing CC or use the call bell.
I read a lot of references on these threads to ‘another bar run’ or ‘waiting for the second bar run’ etc, as if FTers feel they must be passive and wait until offered more. This strikes me as a very WT or, formerly, ET approach. People are being far too passive. If I want something else I ask for it, either directly to CC or via the call bell.
I don’t allow the size of the CE cabin to dictate my approach to the service I ask for. 3 CE rows or 12, if I’d like another drink I will request it, at whatever point in the cabin service.
EDIT: In a small CE cabin the service can be personalised and far more proactive, which is lovely. This is rarely possible in a 10+ row CE cabin, though one needn't suffer in silence.
I read a lot of references on these threads to ‘another bar run’ or ‘waiting for the second bar run’ etc, as if FTers feel they must be passive and wait until offered more. This strikes me as a very WT or, formerly, ET approach. People are being far too passive. If I want something else I ask for it, either directly to CC or via the call bell.
I don’t allow the size of the CE cabin to dictate my approach to the service I ask for. 3 CE rows or 12, if I’d like another drink I will request it, at whatever point in the cabin service.
EDIT: In a small CE cabin the service can be personalised and far more proactive, which is lovely. This is rarely possible in a 10+ row CE cabin, though one needn't suffer in silence.
Last edited by krispy84; Aug 11, 19 at 3:42 pm
Aug 11, 19, 2:50 pm
#60
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Buckinghamshire
Programs: BAEC Gold Guest List, Hilton Honours Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 2,294
Originally Posted by Yannisb
I am off to BRU this afternoon with CE going back to row 8 on this 45 min flight. Usually, it doesn't go beyond row 6 so it will be interesting.
