Mega Club Europe cabins
Sep 13, 2021, 7:13 am
#226
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 460
Have a look at the delays at LHR thread today. So much frustration with the occasional poster saying that happily it all went well for them. BA’s USP: total inconsistency. It should be consistent good service with the unusual failure being adequately apologised for. Not the “we’re sorry you feel that way” non-apology.
I can’t be the only one looking at my next CE leisure flight and thinking “Do I trust BA to deliver a decent service?” I have a choice and can cancel, people flying week in week out for work must be getting mighty tired of this.
Sep 13, 2021, 7:22 am
#227
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
Programs: BA GGL / GFL, Mucci Diamond!, HH Diamond, Radisson Premium, IHG Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 5,908
Godawful LHR-MAN flight today. Crew were slow and disorganised. My OH ordered two champagnes and it was assumed one was for me - the Inflight Lead didn't hang around to ask me (on a side note, the big bottles of NF have reappeared *sigh*).
I got the attention of the IL and she asked me to bear with her. People being served seconds, 10 mins to landing call comes... still no drink. Asked again when they were clearing away and sealing up and the response was "Sorry I didn't get a chance".
To say I was furious is understatement of the year. I've flown this route for years on a regular basis and I have never, ever experienced this. They were even apologising over the PA because they didn't manage to do the full ET service, which to my understanding is throw bottles of water and crisps at people.
It was quite incredible, and it's the first time I've ever given no thanks to the crew on leaving the aircraft. I remain thankful that the flight deck didn't take it upon themselves to thank the crew for their hard work over the PA (like they did on the previous flight despite the crew not being anything special), otherwise I might've actually lost it.
I got the attention of the IL and she asked me to bear with her. People being served seconds, 10 mins to landing call comes... still no drink. Asked again when they were clearing away and sealing up and the response was "Sorry I didn't get a chance".
To say I was furious is understatement of the year. I've flown this route for years on a regular basis and I have never, ever experienced this. They were even apologising over the PA because they didn't manage to do the full ET service, which to my understanding is throw bottles of water and crisps at people.
It was quite incredible, and it's the first time I've ever given no thanks to the crew on leaving the aircraft. I remain thankful that the flight deck didn't take it upon themselves to thank the crew for their hard work over the PA (like they did on the previous flight despite the crew not being anything special), otherwise I might've actually lost it.
Because (I understand) the CC do all routes now - longhaul and shorthaul - I expect that the demands of MAN come as a bit of a surprise, especially if the CE cabin is large.
I feel that the more senior managers in BA are aware of some of the service and ground ops shortcomings and are now learning how the loss of so many experienced employees, plus the re-org of cabin crew structures is negatively impacting service across the board.
Sep 13, 2021, 11:41 am
#228
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 346
It’s obvious that there are a few problems here but they all start and finish with BA, crew shortages, training and greed. I believe that BA should cap the CE cabins to a number that can be safely and professionally delivered, will that happen, absolutely no chance!
Of course customers should complain, they should complain if they do not receive everything advertised.
Of course customers should complain, they should complain if they do not receive everything advertised.
Sep 13, 2021, 11:49 am
#229
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 346
Godawful LHR-MAN flight today. Crew were slow and disorganised. My OH ordered two champagnes and it was assumed one was for me - the Inflight Lead didn't hang around to ask me (on a side note, the big bottles of NF have reappeared *sigh*).
I got the attention of the IL and she asked me to bear with her. People being served seconds, 10 mins to landing call comes... still no drink. Asked again when they were clearing away and sealing up and the response was "Sorry I didn't get a chance".
To say I was furious is understatement of the year. I've flown this route for years on a regular basis and I have never, ever experienced this. They were even apologising over the PA because they didn't manage to do the full ET service, which to my understanding is throw bottles of water and crisps at people.
It was quite incredible, and it's the first time I've ever given no thanks to the crew on leaving the aircraft. I remain thankful that the flight deck didn't take it upon themselves to thank the crew for their hard work over the PA (like they did on the previous flight despite the crew not being anything special), otherwise I might've actually lost it.
I got the attention of the IL and she asked me to bear with her. People being served seconds, 10 mins to landing call comes... still no drink. Asked again when they were clearing away and sealing up and the response was "Sorry I didn't get a chance".
To say I was furious is understatement of the year. I've flown this route for years on a regular basis and I have never, ever experienced this. They were even apologising over the PA because they didn't manage to do the full ET service, which to my understanding is throw bottles of water and crisps at people.
It was quite incredible, and it's the first time I've ever given no thanks to the crew on leaving the aircraft. I remain thankful that the flight deck didn't take it upon themselves to thank the crew for their hard work over the PA (like they did on the previous flight despite the crew not being anything special), otherwise I might've actually lost it.
Sep 13, 2021, 12:13 pm
#230
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, Flying Blue
Posts: 644
In the past, I've seen the crew set up tray of glasses of champagne, ready to go, on CE heavy routes, to speed up the the service. (this is in the GB Airways days, who usually had the big bottles as I recall).
Sep 13, 2021, 12:31 pm
#231
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Tenerife
Programs: BA Gold, BA AMEX PP, Amex Platinum
Posts: 434
We'll have to agree to disagree on that one.
As I said in my original post, I've been flying this route for years on a regular basis (currently more or less every week) and this is the first time I've ever had this and I've seen bigger and more full cabins. I've flown it frequently enough to know what a poor service looks like, as well as a polished, efficient service.
I went the whole flight without a drink when others were being served top ups, you're seriously telling me it wouldn't bother you to see that happening?
This is nothing to do with my expectations. BA failed to deliver part the onboard product that they sold me, and I have every right to be miffed about it.
As I said in my original post, I've been flying this route for years on a regular basis (currently more or less every week) and this is the first time I've ever had this and I've seen bigger and more full cabins. I've flown it frequently enough to know what a poor service looks like, as well as a polished, efficient service.
I went the whole flight without a drink when others were being served top ups, you're seriously telling me it wouldn't bother you to see that happening?
This is nothing to do with my expectations. BA failed to deliver part the onboard product that they sold me, and I have every right to be miffed about it.
Sep 13, 2021, 12:58 pm
#232
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: British Airways GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond & Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,612
regarding MAN, it is not acceptable - When you had a familiar trained crew the service was top notch. I remember once squeezing in 6 rounds / the customer next to me had 3 etc etc and the crew didnt seem rushed at all.
Sep 13, 2021, 1:05 pm
#233
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Silver, VS Silver
Posts: 783
Six is impressive on MAN. I’ve managed six to Belfast but that was from LCY with only 4 pax in CE and LCY’s slightly longer routing!
Sep 13, 2021, 1:46 pm
#234
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,108
Nor will it until crew refuse to operate and with the BASSAs backing get BA to follow agreements.
Sep 13, 2021, 7:02 pm
#235
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sheffield
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 417
It's incredibly frustrating sometimes over the last few months. clearly crew are coming back and many are not familiar with short haul service and especially doing that on a very short flight. 23 minutes service time should be sufficient to give a good service on a MAN flight, but you can immediately tell when it starts going downhill when they do things like wait for seat belt signs before getting up and so on. Does none of the learning from MF doing MAN route for years get passed on?
I hope this gets better soon as crews become more familiar with the short haul service routine, but like you I am getting increasingly frustrated with the situation.
I hope this gets better soon as crews become more familiar with the short haul service routine, but like you I am getting increasingly frustrated with the situation.
The Inflight Lead sent the trolley down to start at row 3 whilst they did the first two rows, which seemed an odd way of doing things and didn't speed things up at all considering they were still having to go down to the trolley and bring the meal trays back, followed by drinks.
The 10 minutes call appeared to be a complete surprise to them and suddenly the sense of urgency kicked in.
I recall MAN/LBA flights under MF and as you say, you wouldn't have known they had such little time to complete the service. They were absolutely on form. I fondly remember the LHR-LBA flight with 8 or 9 rows of Club, afternoon tea given out, drinks round one served, trays collected and another round served, even had time for a chat in the galley whilst I waited to use the loo and the crew member had more drinks ready for me to grab on my way back to my seat without even asking. THAT is how it should be done.
Sep 14, 2021, 1:48 am
#236
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Somewhere in Europe
Posts: 3,362
This is exactly what happened. There was lots of pre-departure trolley shuffling and my first thought was "oh lovely they're on it". Seatbelt signs went off, they slowly got up and started dithering around discussing how they were going to complete the service. People had started getting up to use the loo by this point so cue trolleys going back and forth to let people past.
Much back and forth and activity in the galley once the door was closed but it seemed totally disorganised once service started with people getting the wrong special meals etc even though they were being read off the iPad on the trolley and confirmed with the passenger before they were put down in front of the pax for them to hand them back.
The drinks trolley went first with two crew followed by the food one and a passenger sandwiched in between them with the IFL giving the instruction to the drinks trolley just to keep serving. It wasn't until they established three rows later that the pax was in row ten that they relented and let him past.
They got everyone served but they appeared to be making it difficult and very stressful for themselves
Sep 14, 2021, 4:20 am
#237
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,174
Out of interest, any information on how many bottles are being loaded? I've noticed that the BA Speedbird Lager has been unavailable the last few flights, presume that might be linked to the current shortages.
Sep 14, 2021, 5:18 am
#238
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 346
This is exactly what happened. There was lots of pre-departure trolley shuffling and my first thought was "oh lovely they're on it". Seatbelt signs went off, they slowly got up and started dithering around discussing how they were going to complete the service. People had started getting up to use the loo by this point so cue trolleys going back and forth to let people past.
The Inflight Lead sent the trolley down to start at row 3 whilst they did the first two rows, which seemed an odd way of doing things and didn't speed things up at all considering they were still having to go down to the trolley and bring the meal trays back, followed by drinks.
The 10 minutes call appeared to be a complete surprise to them and suddenly the sense of urgency kicked in.
I recall MAN/LBA flights under MF and as you say, you wouldn't have known they had such little time to complete the service. They were absolutely on form. I fondly remember the LHR-LBA flight with 8 or 9 rows of Club, afternoon tea given out, drinks round one served, trays collected and another round served, even had time for a chat in the galley whilst I waited to use the loo and the crew member had more drinks ready for me to grab on my way back to my seat without even asking. THAT is how it should be done.
The Inflight Lead sent the trolley down to start at row 3 whilst they did the first two rows, which seemed an odd way of doing things and didn't speed things up at all considering they were still having to go down to the trolley and bring the meal trays back, followed by drinks.
The 10 minutes call appeared to be a complete surprise to them and suddenly the sense of urgency kicked in.
I recall MAN/LBA flights under MF and as you say, you wouldn't have known they had such little time to complete the service. They were absolutely on form. I fondly remember the LHR-LBA flight with 8 or 9 rows of Club, afternoon tea given out, drinks round one served, trays collected and another round served, even had time for a chat in the galley whilst I waited to use the loo and the crew member had more drinks ready for me to grab on my way back to my seat without even asking. THAT is how it should be done.
And to answer question re training upthread - no training scenarios in the mock up cover high club Europe loads on short domestic flights- and we have very 'compliant' passengers in the mock up who don't want second drinks and don't use the toilets lol (even when trialling new services).
But yes with experience and correct crewing levels, the service can be slick and efficient with top up drinks.
Sep 14, 2021, 5:29 am
#239
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ireland
Programs: BA: GOLD, MARRIOTT: TITANIUM, IHG: PLAT, HILTON: GOLD
Posts: 491
This is exactly what happened. There was lots of pre-departure trolley shuffling and my first thought was "oh lovely they're on it". Seatbelt signs went off, they slowly got up and started dithering around discussing how they were going to complete the service. People had started getting up to use the loo by this point so cue trolleys going back and forth to let people past.
The Inflight Lead sent the trolley down to start at row 3 whilst they did the first two rows, which seemed an odd way of doing things and didn't speed things up at all considering they were still having to go down to the trolley and bring the meal trays back, followed by drinks.
The 10 minutes call appeared to be a complete surprise to them and suddenly the sense of urgency kicked in.
I recall MAN/LBA flights under MF and as you say, you wouldn't have known they had such little time to complete the service. They were absolutely on form. I fondly remember the LHR-LBA flight with 8 or 9 rows of Club, afternoon tea given out, drinks round one served, trays collected and another round served, even had time for a chat in the galley whilst I waited to use the loo and the crew member had more drinks ready for me to grab on my way back to my seat without even asking. THAT is how it should be done.
The Inflight Lead sent the trolley down to start at row 3 whilst they did the first two rows, which seemed an odd way of doing things and didn't speed things up at all considering they were still having to go down to the trolley and bring the meal trays back, followed by drinks.
The 10 minutes call appeared to be a complete surprise to them and suddenly the sense of urgency kicked in.
I recall MAN/LBA flights under MF and as you say, you wouldn't have known they had such little time to complete the service. They were absolutely on form. I fondly remember the LHR-LBA flight with 8 or 9 rows of Club, afternoon tea given out, drinks round one served, trays collected and another round served, even had time for a chat in the galley whilst I waited to use the loo and the crew member had more drinks ready for me to grab on my way back to my seat without even asking. THAT is how it should be done.
Sep 14, 2021, 3:01 pm
#240
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,851
I recall MAN/LBA flights under MF and as you say, you wouldn't have known they had such little time to complete the service. They were absolutely on form. I fondly remember the LHR-LBA flight with 8 or 9 rows of Club, afternoon tea given out, drinks round one served, trays collected and another round served, even had time for a chat in the galley whilst I waited to use the loo and the crew member had more drinks ready for me to grab on my way back to my seat without even asking. THAT is how it should be done.
I'm not normally a BA copywriter, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.