Changes to service standards etc after resumption of flights
May 10, 2020, 2:41 pm
#47
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 516
You are not correct. Please rise.
Air circulation in aircraft cabins is mostly vertical, with air introduced near the ceiling and removed (or ducted into the hold and then fed to the recirculation fan and filter or to the outflow valve) near floor level. This is, not least, so that smoke generated by any fire at one part of the cabin does not immediately fill the entire cabin.
First Class Flatulence remains in First Class. The main exception to airflow compartmentalisation is the cockpit, which has a slight overpressure so that cabin smoke will not easily enter the cockpit. This will send some air from the cockpit towards the front of the cabin, which means that if the cabin crew are smoking then you may well smell it in row 1.
For example, see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143711/ for an explanation (in the context of tuberculosis transmission).
Air circulation in aircraft cabins is mostly vertical, with air introduced near the ceiling and removed (or ducted into the hold and then fed to the recirculation fan and filter or to the outflow valve) near floor level. This is, not least, so that smoke generated by any fire at one part of the cabin does not immediately fill the entire cabin.
First Class Flatulence remains in First Class. The main exception to airflow compartmentalisation is the cockpit, which has a slight overpressure so that cabin smoke will not easily enter the cockpit. This will send some air from the cockpit towards the front of the cabin, which means that if the cabin crew are smoking then you may well smell it in row 1.
For example, see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143711/ for an explanation (in the context of tuberculosis transmission).
May 10, 2020, 2:48 pm
#48
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 516
I agree with with a fair few of the previous posts. For me, I always try and start the holiday with the journey and I’m lucky that my work travel helps make that easier with lounges and avios etc.. In the post Corona world, if some airlines choose to offer an onboard experience and others don’t at a similar price, then for me I’d be likely to break my BA allegiance. For work travel, I currently try and use one world where possible to make my leisure trips better, but if this is gone (and price is much less of an issue with work flights) then I will just choose the airline that offers the route I want with the best onboard service. I therefore hope this isn’t as clear cut for BA as some are making out up thread and they endeavour to offer something decent (even if it’s gin in a tin from their mates at marks and Spencer to start with).
May 10, 2020, 3:27 pm
#49
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver (for now)
Posts: 1,000
May 10, 2020, 3:40 pm
#50
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: A3*G,BA Silver
Posts: 2,010
Some people managed to get a few avios but some others got nothing even in F. As far as i remember 1 person was offered 500 avios for being a loyal customer. Imagine if he was not!
Try your luck and let us know.
May 10, 2020, 3:43 pm
#51
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: A3*G,BA Silver
Posts: 2,010
According to QR forum yes. You get the full service with QR including alcohol. LH group still offers proper J service ( slightly reduced?) but i am not sure about alcohol.
There is seems to be different interpretation when it comes to health and safety rules.
There is seems to be different interpretation when it comes to health and safety rules.
May 10, 2020, 4:22 pm
#52
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,210
Transition of all long-haul catering ex-LHR to Do&Co completes on Tuesday, so any restarts will move to the new catering.
Some interesting proposals for the customer proposition floating around currently, with the awareness that people will need to have a reason to travel BA. Watch this space over the next few weeks.
Some interesting proposals for the customer proposition floating around currently, with the awareness that people will need to have a reason to travel BA. Watch this space over the next few weeks.
May 10, 2020, 4:29 pm
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,185
Transition of all long-haul catering ex-LHR to Do&Co completes on Tuesday, so any restarts will move to the new catering.
Some interesting proposals for the customer proposition floating around currently, with the awareness that people will need to have a reason to travel BA. Watch this space over the next few weeks.
Some interesting proposals for the customer proposition floating around currently, with the awareness that people will need to have a reason to travel BA. Watch this space over the next few weeks.
I would miss the Gategourmet Mac&Cheese served on WT.
May 10, 2020, 4:40 pm
#54
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, M&M, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,223
That will be me, too. I'd rather drive in Europe than suffer on a plane with some ridiculous restrictions and pay as much as before for no service.
May 10, 2020, 11:20 pm
#55
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: Confirmed
Posts: 1,091
There has been no confirmed case of anyone actually infected onboard. There is a filter and that seems working.
Why do people assume this onboard distancing is so needed and overemphasise it? If lounges / restaurants reopens, it’s only safer onboard because it is better ventilated onboard.
Why do people assume this onboard distancing is so needed and overemphasise it? If lounges / restaurants reopens, it’s only safer onboard because it is better ventilated onboard.
May 11, 2020, 2:10 am
#57
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,600
Wait a second... my crystal ball is calling me...
BA email dated 15/01/2021. "Based on customer feedback, we we will be making the temporary changes to F&B a permanent feature on flights under 2 hours. Customers have told us that they prefer the quiet cabin and easier access to the washrooms."
May 11, 2020, 11:22 am
#58
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,106
This idea of 2 hours is long enough without food is not quite that simple. A 2 hour flight has an hour or so of security, walking around the airport, boarding, messing around with baggage, etc, before departure. On arrival it has half an hour (good day/airport) or an hour (bad day/airport) to get off the aircraft and through arrivals checks. Add more time for bad immigration/emigration. So that's thick end of 4 hours, at least, travelling time. If your departure or arrival airport hasn't got any good catering (or any at all!), and this is over a mealtime, you could well be talking delaying a meal by 4 hours or more.
This all sounds fine if you're leaving a well-equipped airport and get food just before you leave, or travel mid-afternoon, or have no onward transit from your destination. It doesn't sound so fine if it's the 17:00 departure from a smaller regional airport with negligible food offerings on a 2 hour flight back to Heathrow with an hour journey home when you get landside at Heathrow. I'd want some food in the middle of that and I think most other people would like that too - even if it is BoB.
This all sounds fine if you're leaving a well-equipped airport and get food just before you leave, or travel mid-afternoon, or have no onward transit from your destination. It doesn't sound so fine if it's the 17:00 departure from a smaller regional airport with negligible food offerings on a 2 hour flight back to Heathrow with an hour journey home when you get landside at Heathrow. I'd want some food in the middle of that and I think most other people would like that too - even if it is BoB.
May 11, 2020, 11:59 am
#59
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,395
But I don’t see the restoration of BoB as the most likely solution ; with the amount of interactivity required between crew / pax (handling of various items on the trolley .... touching of plastic payment cards ...), I’m inclined to doubt BoB is ready to make a comeback any time soon.
May 11, 2020, 1:51 pm
#60
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,227
I was out yesterday for Mother's Day brunch with the wife and our daughter - first time we'd been out as a family since quarantine started here, and first time to a restaurant in 50+ days. Nevada eased its restrictions this weekend so quite a few places opened up again.
The restaurant we went to had probably 30 - 40 % of its usual seating and the staff to customer ratio was probably close to 1:1 so service (and food) was very good. Staff were all wearing masks - which made understanding them quite difficult at times - and gloves. Apart from the reduction in customer numbers and the PPE being worn by the staff I didn't feel that there was any difference in my dining experience. Cutlery, crockery, drinkware was all the same as before. There was no contactless ordering or payment. You still had staff bustling around and walking past you serving other customers, bussing tables, topping up my Sangria etc. That said, I didn't feel any trepidation in eating out. I certainly didn't rush home afterwards for a full body decontamination!
From an airline perspective, people will want to travel again irrespective of the reason why. I have flights / trains booked for later this month and again for July. I had hoped to make it back to the UK in August to see my parents but, given the way the UK is heading, I doubt that will be happening any time soon. People cannot live in a (metaphorical) vacuum or bubble forever. People want to travel for travel's sake as much as they need to travel for work etc. I accept that there may need to be adjustments as a result. For example, my upcoming flights on Alaska have the middle seat blocked. That's all well and good from the perspective of a single traveller, but it's pointless when we're flying as a family unit. It's like my local supermarket telling me that I am not allowed to enter or leave the store at the same time as my wife even though once we're in the supermarket we'll be shopping together or, when we get home, we'll be in bed together! It was a stupid rule that was implemented and enforced without any thought to the practicalities.
I really don't see any logical reason why any airline cannot continue to provide a reasonable level of service in spite of COVID-19. If it means having it on a tray instead of individual courses, I don't see an issue with that. Maybe more in the way of self-service from an improved "Club Kitchen" or self-serve drinks etc. I think you can reduce the amount of staff to passenger interaction but still maintain a level of service that entices people to fly. I want to be able to fly again, and to enjoy the experience. The two are not mutually exclusive ambitions!
The restaurant we went to had probably 30 - 40 % of its usual seating and the staff to customer ratio was probably close to 1:1 so service (and food) was very good. Staff were all wearing masks - which made understanding them quite difficult at times - and gloves. Apart from the reduction in customer numbers and the PPE being worn by the staff I didn't feel that there was any difference in my dining experience. Cutlery, crockery, drinkware was all the same as before. There was no contactless ordering or payment. You still had staff bustling around and walking past you serving other customers, bussing tables, topping up my Sangria etc. That said, I didn't feel any trepidation in eating out. I certainly didn't rush home afterwards for a full body decontamination!
From an airline perspective, people will want to travel again irrespective of the reason why. I have flights / trains booked for later this month and again for July. I had hoped to make it back to the UK in August to see my parents but, given the way the UK is heading, I doubt that will be happening any time soon. People cannot live in a (metaphorical) vacuum or bubble forever. People want to travel for travel's sake as much as they need to travel for work etc. I accept that there may need to be adjustments as a result. For example, my upcoming flights on Alaska have the middle seat blocked. That's all well and good from the perspective of a single traveller, but it's pointless when we're flying as a family unit. It's like my local supermarket telling me that I am not allowed to enter or leave the store at the same time as my wife even though once we're in the supermarket we'll be shopping together or, when we get home, we'll be in bed together! It was a stupid rule that was implemented and enforced without any thought to the practicalities.
I really don't see any logical reason why any airline cannot continue to provide a reasonable level of service in spite of COVID-19. If it means having it on a tray instead of individual courses, I don't see an issue with that. Maybe more in the way of self-service from an improved "Club Kitchen" or self-serve drinks etc. I think you can reduce the amount of staff to passenger interaction but still maintain a level of service that entices people to fly. I want to be able to fly again, and to enjoy the experience. The two are not mutually exclusive ambitions!