Why is BA CW/F meal service so slow (genuine question, not trolling)
Jan 26, 2020, 8:32 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,105
And those are three of the main reasons I try to avoid AA!
With respect to the service, I prefer the unhurried BA approach. I like to relax after boarding and enjoy a couple of drinks before the meal service begins. On AA invariably I haven't finished my first drink before the meal starts arriving. I find their service somewhat rushed where crew sometimes appear to want the service done so they can get behind the curtain and entertain themselves.
With respect to the service, I prefer the unhurried BA approach. I like to relax after boarding and enjoy a couple of drinks before the meal service begins. On AA invariably I haven't finished my first drink before the meal starts arriving. I find their service somewhat rushed where crew sometimes appear to want the service done so they can get behind the curtain and entertain themselves.
Jan 26, 2020, 8:54 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: coastal Croatia
Programs: BAEC Gold, M&M Senator
Posts: 2,181
I've never felt rushed on AA but have once or twice wondered why things were taking so long on BA (though to be fair, this is rare). And I love the mini cabin on the 777W (-300) which, as aristoph notes, has a wonderfully spacious bathroom on the starboard side. The 777W has great seats, too.
Jan 26, 2020, 9:01 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,334
Well it is partly done to our badly designed service routines and lack of crew, we would never have time to take a meal order on the ground as we are running around like headless chickens trying to deliver our pre-takeoff service.
Personally on day flights I don’t think it is necessary to take meal orders on the ground but I would like to see our meal services redesigned.
Personally on day flights I don’t think it is necessary to take meal orders on the ground but I would like to see our meal services redesigned.
Jan 26, 2020, 9:02 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,193
In my travels from a long time ago... I found that in coach, both on BA and AA.. the service comes out pretty quick.
and agree, in J or F, the meal and drink service is very very slow... maybe the FA are making sure the food served is presented like a fancy restaurant, but not the taste.
and agree, in J or F, the meal and drink service is very very slow... maybe the FA are making sure the food served is presented like a fancy restaurant, but not the taste.
Jan 26, 2020, 9:05 am
#21
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: ex BD(LG),HH(D),SPG(P)/(LG), BA(G)
Posts: 215
I would say I'm pretty relaxed about most things, but found my most recent outbound meal the slowest I can ever recall, particularly for a short hop across to YYZ. It was on the A350 so granted there is some getting used to a new aircraft.
However for a flight that was planned to be 6:40 hrs (per the pre flight announcement, so nothing the crew wouldn't have been aware of) the timings were as follows in hrs:mins from take off:
0:56 got my gin and tonic and nuts; (the pre flight drink had been removed over an hour before take off; we then had a long wait in a t/o queue as an aircraft was returning for an emergency landing)
1:48 starter arrived;
2:28 main course arrived;
3:02 dessert arrived;
3:13 dinner service all cleared;
5:21 afternoon tea arrived (only 2 and a bit hours after dinner)
I felt for the crew as I understood that the service method used was what BA wanted them to use, but frankly it was not good. What makes the above even more incredible is that I was sat in seat 1A and was therefore, in many instances, nearly the first person to be served...
Aside from that the A350 was fantastic to fly in, though in my, and my partners, view the CS door was more of a novelty and not necessarily easy to open/close at times. I was going to compare the Club Suites with the 747 UD upon our return, but we got a superb new years present of 1K/2K for the return from ORD. FIRST beats CS and the service was much slicker on the return (thankfully, given it being a short overnight hop)!!
However for a flight that was planned to be 6:40 hrs (per the pre flight announcement, so nothing the crew wouldn't have been aware of) the timings were as follows in hrs:mins from take off:
0:56 got my gin and tonic and nuts; (the pre flight drink had been removed over an hour before take off; we then had a long wait in a t/o queue as an aircraft was returning for an emergency landing)
1:48 starter arrived;
2:28 main course arrived;
3:02 dessert arrived;
3:13 dinner service all cleared;
5:21 afternoon tea arrived (only 2 and a bit hours after dinner)
I felt for the crew as I understood that the service method used was what BA wanted them to use, but frankly it was not good. What makes the above even more incredible is that I was sat in seat 1A and was therefore, in many instances, nearly the first person to be served...
Aside from that the A350 was fantastic to fly in, though in my, and my partners, view the CS door was more of a novelty and not necessarily easy to open/close at times. I was going to compare the Club Suites with the 747 UD upon our return, but we got a superb new years present of 1K/2K for the return from ORD. FIRST beats CS and the service was much slicker on the return (thankfully, given it being a short overnight hop)!!
Jan 26, 2020, 9:07 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,111
In F, BA are offering personalised PJs (size) and amenity kit (gender orientation of the contents). That precludes loading them before takeoff and getting it right every time because some passengers will always be assigned seats after the aircraft is cleaned and catered and it is worse to deliver the wrong thing than to deliver it later. BA are also trying to offer a personal service where the staff give you something rather than having you find it - and it's hard to disagree that the F service on BA is more personalised and attentive than the AA F service.
In J neither airline is offering a personalised amenity and PJ service so they could place the amenity kit and menu at the seat beforehand - and AA does so.
In F, and even in J, many passengers are looking forward to a relaxed, restaurant-style service (and I don't mean Wagamama!). Some may want a faster service, and the way most airlines that please both types of passenger do so is to have an "express menu" option where items are brought out together or some courses are omitted. "Why does BA service take longer" is not least because "BA consider most of their passengers want, or will accept, it that way."
That said, some BA services are really very slow these days and that's not good. Ideally, like in any good restaurant, the BA meal service should have: prompt taking of orders and prompt delivery of drinks; starters a short while later; main courses when the starters have been finished for a few minutes; dessert offer a little while after the main course has been finished; post-prandial drinks and dessert delivered at about the same time. If the guest wants to slow things down, they can delay indicating that they have finished (cutlery position!).
In J neither airline is offering a personalised amenity and PJ service so they could place the amenity kit and menu at the seat beforehand - and AA does so.
In F, and even in J, many passengers are looking forward to a relaxed, restaurant-style service (and I don't mean Wagamama!). Some may want a faster service, and the way most airlines that please both types of passenger do so is to have an "express menu" option where items are brought out together or some courses are omitted. "Why does BA service take longer" is not least because "BA consider most of their passengers want, or will accept, it that way."
That said, some BA services are really very slow these days and that's not good. Ideally, like in any good restaurant, the BA meal service should have: prompt taking of orders and prompt delivery of drinks; starters a short while later; main courses when the starters have been finished for a few minutes; dessert offer a little while after the main course has been finished; post-prandial drinks and dessert delivered at about the same time. If the guest wants to slow things down, they can delay indicating that they have finished (cutlery position!).
Jan 26, 2020, 9:14 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,105
However for a flight that was planned to be 6:40 hrs (per the pre flight announcement, so nothing the crew wouldn't have been aware of) the timings were as follows in hrs:mins from take off:
0:56 got my gin and tonic and nuts; (the pre flight drink had been removed over an hour before take off; we then had a long wait in a t/o queue as an aircraft was returning for an emergency landing)
1:48 starter arrived;
2:28 main course arrived;
3:02 dessert arrived;
3:13 dinner service all cleared;
5:21 afternoon tea arrived (only 2 and a bit hours after dinner)
0:56 got my gin and tonic and nuts; (the pre flight drink had been removed over an hour before take off; we then had a long wait in a t/o queue as an aircraft was returning for an emergency landing)
1:48 starter arrived;
2:28 main course arrived;
3:02 dessert arrived;
3:13 dinner service all cleared;
5:21 afternoon tea arrived (only 2 and a bit hours after dinner)
Jan 26, 2020, 9:17 am
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,105
Jan 26, 2020, 9:28 am
#25
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
If there’s one constant on AA, and other US carriers, it is the crew gets the grub out fast. Those, like myself who prefer to finish the main with the side salad need to bolt the plate to the table as often I find the full plate gets snatched away as quickly as it appeared. 
Jan 26, 2020, 9:29 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,097
I would say I'm pretty relaxed about most things, but found my most recent outbound meal the slowest I can ever recall, particularly for a short hop across to YYZ. It was on the A350 so granted there is some getting used to a new aircraft.
However for a flight that was planned to be 6:40 hrs (per the pre flight announcement, so nothing the crew wouldn't have been aware of) the timings were as follows in hrs:mins from take off:
0:56 got my gin and tonic and nuts; (the pre flight drink had been removed over an hour before take off; we then had a long wait in a t/o queue as an aircraft was returning for an emergency landing)
1:48 starter arrived;
2:28 main course arrived;
3:02 dessert arrived;
3:13 dinner service all cleared;
5:21 afternoon tea arrived (only 2 and a bit hours after dinner)
I felt for the crew as I understood that the service method used was what BA wanted them to use, but frankly it was not good. What makes the above even more incredible is that I was sat in seat 1A and was therefore, in many instances, nearly the first person to be served...
Aside from that the A350 was fantastic to fly in, though in my, and my partners, view the CS door was more of a novelty and not necessarily easy to open/close at times. I was going to compare the Club Suites with the 747 UD upon our return, but we got a superb new years present of 1K/2K for the return from ORD. FIRST beats CS and the service was much slicker on the return (thankfully, given it being a short overnight hop)!!
However for a flight that was planned to be 6:40 hrs (per the pre flight announcement, so nothing the crew wouldn't have been aware of) the timings were as follows in hrs:mins from take off:
0:56 got my gin and tonic and nuts; (the pre flight drink had been removed over an hour before take off; we then had a long wait in a t/o queue as an aircraft was returning for an emergency landing)
1:48 starter arrived;
2:28 main course arrived;
3:02 dessert arrived;
3:13 dinner service all cleared;
5:21 afternoon tea arrived (only 2 and a bit hours after dinner)
I felt for the crew as I understood that the service method used was what BA wanted them to use, but frankly it was not good. What makes the above even more incredible is that I was sat in seat 1A and was therefore, in many instances, nearly the first person to be served...
Aside from that the A350 was fantastic to fly in, though in my, and my partners, view the CS door was more of a novelty and not necessarily easy to open/close at times. I was going to compare the Club Suites with the 747 UD upon our return, but we got a superb new years present of 1K/2K for the return from ORD. FIRST beats CS and the service was much slicker on the return (thankfully, given it being a short overnight hop)!!
Jan 26, 2020, 9:33 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: London, UK
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 602
Seems to me the services reflect the dining experiences in the respective home countries. Lived in London for years and really enjoyed the relaxed pace of meals when out in the evenings with friends/dates. Two hour table bookings in the U.K. when in the US restaurants two hours is slow service. And I get why US tables do that for tips turnover, but I think in general it just makes the US process a bit rushed. Went out to a nice restaurant last night to catch up with friends and paid the bill after barely an hour. Not much chance to catch up.
I do like the dine on demand option in F on BA. I like the idea of an express menu.
I do like the dine on demand option in F on BA. I like the idea of an express menu.
Jan 26, 2020, 9:35 am
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,105
If there’s one constant on AA, and other US carriers, it is the crew gets the grub out fast. Those, like myself who prefer to finish the main with the side salad need to bolt the plate to the table as often I find the full plate gets snatched away as quickly as it appeared.
Jan 26, 2020, 9:37 am
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,105
Seems to me the services reflect the dining experiences in the respective home countries. Lived in London for years and really enjoyed the relaxed pace of meals when out in the evenings with friends/dates. Two hour table bookings in the U.K. when in the US restaurants two hours is slow service. And I get why US tables do that for tips turnover, but I think in general it just makes the US process a bit rushed. Went out to a nice restaurant last night to catch up with friends and paid the bill after barely an hour. Not much chance to catch up.
I do like the dine on demand option in F on BA. I like the idea of an express menu.
I do like the dine on demand option in F on BA. I like the idea of an express menu.
PS my experience in US is also that you can always slow it down/pause if you want. I love US service.