Large CE Cabins
Jun 24, 2019, 3:21 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 323
Just to put this into context, I was on an ATR42 flight from ATH-JNX (Naxos) with Olympic air. 12 rows with 1 cabin crew member on a 20minute flight. She poured drinks and snacks for all members in that time and did it with a smile. Some people like to moan and complain about conditions, find problems instead of solutions and some people just get things done.
I flew to ATH on A321 in CE also that week and the service was excellent, as were the crew. I find that the negative experiences are the exception rather than the norm.
I flew to ATH on A321 in CE also that week and the service was excellent, as were the crew. I find that the negative experiences are the exception rather than the norm.
Jun 24, 2019, 3:30 am
#17
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
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Just to clarify : is your point that 9 rows of CE on FAO-LGW represents an unreasonably high workload for a crew of 2 ? Or that appearing “woefully overstretched” resulted from them not performing efficiently ?
Jun 24, 2019, 7:44 am
#18
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
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Posts: 4,156
When in row 1 I only get asked what I would like to drink after 45 minutes then something is wrong. The crew seemed efficient and were certainly friendly but as I said, were still clearing up trays as we turned final at LGW. Perhaps the 9 rows were filled with very demanding CE passengers but then the crew could easily have started their service 25 minutes earlier too. I had to ask for refills too. I also only ever got served by a single crew member.
Jun 24, 2019, 9:32 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,576
But if you haven't got a drink 45 mins into a 2 hour flight what's the point of CE? I understand the explanations offered here and the wealth of knowledge of BA is staggering, but I just don't get why they couldn't get a drink. How much setting up can 3 people do in that space? I agree others would have asked for a drink, but isn't that because it's a reasonable expectation that far into a flight?
I agree in your context that it's a reasonable expectation to have been served a drink after 45mins. The point I was making is if the crew made the exception for one passenger it would open a floodgate of drink requests from everyone else who would also be keenly waiting for a drinks pass and knock the service out of kilter.
From what I can gather, there is somewhat of a log jam in logistics now on board the now desnified A321's and the new neo's. Galley space is virtually non existent especially at the rear and BoB stuff is often stored at the front. This means the BoB trolley needs to be prepped and cleared of the galley before the crew commence thr Club service. I've witnessed this several times with 4 crew literally fighting for space at the front galley. Not sure what the capacity of the oven(s) are but it's entirely possible for a large Club cabin that the hot food needs heating in 2 waves. With all this in mind I'm not surprised it takes 45mins to commence the Club service under certain circumstances. Does this make it justified? Absolutely not. Does it mean 3 crew are lazy, full of attitude and hanging about watching the oven timer just because they can't be bothered to conduct a Club service to the customers expectations instead of that laid down in the service delivery for that particular flight and load? No it doesn't
Jun 24, 2019, 10:20 am
#20
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,906
That’s not unusual at all, sometimes there are several more rows of CE. What is impressive about MAN flights is that the crew are on their feet within a minute or so of takeoff and the service begins within 5 minutes! I have yet to see a crew not complete a service.
Jun 24, 2019, 10:27 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Newcastle/London & Worldwide
Programs: BAEC Gold, Virgin Flying Club Silver
Posts: 818
When in row 1 I only get asked what I would like to drink after 45 minutes then something is wrong. The crew seemed efficient and were certainly friendly but as I said, were still clearing up trays as we turned final at LGW. Perhaps the 9 rows were filled with very demanding CE passengers but then the crew could easily have started their service 25 minutes earlier too. I had to ask for refills too. I also only ever got served by a single crew member.
Jun 24, 2019, 2:40 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 57
Top class duo in CE on the Belfast flight yesterday evening. Knocked out 8 rows of Club with drinks top ups and considerable aplomb in what is basically 25-30 mins. Several demanding passengers as well. Tobias is perceptive - these guys were on their feet almost as soon as we were in the air. Much respect. When BA is like this it’s great!
Jun 24, 2019, 4:10 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Newcastle/London & Worldwide
Programs: BAEC Gold, Virgin Flying Club Silver
Posts: 818
Top class duo in CE on the Belfast flight yesterday evening. Knocked out 8 rows of Club with drinks top ups and considerable aplomb in what is basically 25-30 mins. Several demanding passengers as well. Tobias is perceptive - these guys were on their feet almost as soon as we were in the air. Much respect. When BA is like this it’s great!
Jun 24, 2019, 4:24 pm
#25
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 57
I’ve had similar on a few NCL flights sitting in a row 1 I think the record came close to be asked what I would like to drink just after we flew over Windsor - on the AGP flight I referenced at the start of the post the crew remained seated through the entire (smooth) climb until the main seat belts signs were off about 15 mins after take off. Does BA policy allow crew to jump straight up to begin service prep immediately after wheels up on a short flight and conversely require them to sit through the entire climb on longer flights (also happened on my Rome and Faro flights) - I imagine unpredictable turbulence during climb will impact any decision here but just curious on what’s actually within the crew discretion.
I knew it would be good when I could hear the CSM plan and discuss the service with his colleague while in queue for take off. A bit of initiative and planning goes a long way in most jobs as opposed to not even thinking about it until the seatbelt sign goes off and then it’s a surprise that they are rushed!
Jun 24, 2019, 4:34 pm
#26
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Silver, VS Silver
Posts: 770
Top class duo in CE on the Belfast flight yesterday evening. Knocked out 8 rows of Club with drinks top ups and considerable aplomb in what is basically 25-30 mins. Several demanding passengers as well. Tobias is perceptive - these guys were on their feet almost as soon as we were in the air. Much respect. When BA is like this it’s great!
Jun 24, 2019, 5:20 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club Blue
Posts: 963
I’ve had similar on a few NCL flights sitting in a row 1 I think the record came close to be asked what I would like to drink just after we flew over Windsor - on the AGP flight I referenced at the start of the post the crew remained seated through the entire (smooth) climb until the main seat belts signs were off about 15 mins after take off. Does BA policy allow crew to jump straight up to begin service prep immediately after wheels up on a short flight and conversely require them to sit through the entire climb on longer flights (also happened on my Rome and Faro flights) - I imagine unpredictable turbulence during climb will impact any decision here but just curious on what’s actually within the crew discretion.
Jun 24, 2019, 6:24 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 493
Originally Posted by mtikky
I was quite surprised to see 8 rows of CE on Sunday morning's LHR - MAN sector... I understand that quite a few will be connecting but that seems large for that short a sector at 8am
Since the first train from Euston to Manchester on a Sunday doesn't leave until after 8am, arriving not much before 11am, an 8am flight seems a good option for anyone from the south wanting to be in Manchester before Sunday lunchtime. On a weekday the trains start much earlier.
A stronger reason for the heavy CE load may be passengers connecting from premium cabins on the long haul flights that arrive at LHR from about 6am onwards. From observation of the luggage carousel there always seem to be a large proportion of connecting passengers on LHR-MAN flights.
Jun 24, 2019, 7:19 pm
#29
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,121
Five G&Ts and some miniatures to take away on my last flight to Belfast... hehe
Jun 25, 2019, 12:06 am
#30
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 811
Since the first train from Euston to Manchester on a Sunday doesn't leave until after 8am, arriving not much before 11am, an 8am flight seems a good option for anyone from the south wanting to be in Manchester before Sunday lunchtime. On a weekday the trains start much earlier.
A stronger reason for the heavy CE load may be passengers connecting from premium cabins on the long haul flights that arrive at LHR from about 6am onwards. From observation of the luggage carousel there always seem to be a large proportion of connecting passengers on LHR-MAN flights.
A stronger reason for the heavy CE load may be passengers connecting from premium cabins on the long haul flights that arrive at LHR from about 6am onwards. From observation of the luggage carousel there always seem to be a large proportion of connecting passengers on LHR-MAN flights.
