Mega Club Europe cabins
Oct 17, 2021, 5:01 am
#481
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,228
Just to add to this point - on our latest LHR-MAN we had the same IFL as took us down the other way before our holiday. We ended up chatting and they said that they thought they recognised me!
The problems were very apparent during our conversation. They'd done 20 odd years of long haul. Now they're thrown onto an A320 on a 30 minute sector and expected to deliver a polished service? I do actually feel for them in that respect.
Luckily, there was what appeared to be a full compliment of ex-MF crew who pretty much did it in their sleep and were leading the IFL and sharing best practice! Trolleys were back in the galley and everybody who wanted a second drink had one well before the 10 minute call.
I overheard the IFL telling the other crew in the galley what a good job they'd done, their response was "Oh we're used to it". No skin off their noses at all.
I would say from a training point of view more of this needs to happen. Some crew of course don't help themselves; on the flight down the same IFL couldn't do anything because the crew member assisting was adamant that trolleys weren't going anywhere until the seatbelt signs went off - cue a rushed service.
The problems were very apparent during our conversation. They'd done 20 odd years of long haul. Now they're thrown onto an A320 on a 30 minute sector and expected to deliver a polished service? I do actually feel for them in that respect.
Luckily, there was what appeared to be a full compliment of ex-MF crew who pretty much did it in their sleep and were leading the IFL and sharing best practice! Trolleys were back in the galley and everybody who wanted a second drink had one well before the 10 minute call.
I overheard the IFL telling the other crew in the galley what a good job they'd done, their response was "Oh we're used to it". No skin off their noses at all.
I would say from a training point of view more of this needs to happen. Some crew of course don't help themselves; on the flight down the same IFL couldn't do anything because the crew member assisting was adamant that trolleys weren't going anywhere until the seatbelt signs went off - cue a rushed service.
I’ve sat at the back of a 319 before going up to MAN and heard the same re trolleys. I don’t hold that against the crew, occupational health & safety is really important & I don’t expect crew to injure themselves just so I can have a G&T. Ultimately the company need to design service standards that are deliverable during the available service time with resources available - IFCE or whoever need to know if operationally the service standards cannot be delivered. Those trolleys can be heavy and pushing one up a steep aisle whilst still climbing is no mean feat - I think they are allowed to take trolleys out before the signs go off but sometimes pilots will tell crew it’s going to be bumpy or whatever, same with tea / coffee….that said, this particular crew member was perhaps a bit of a jobsworth (or more likely just knackered and clearly didn’t approve of the CSM) - the other one was going to go up front & offer to help but this lady said no we’ve done our bit, “she” (the CSM) is going to have to speed up and hasn’t once asked us how we are blah blah blah!
Oct 17, 2021, 11:04 am
#482
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Tenerife
Programs: BA Gold, BA AMEX PP, Amex Platinum
Posts: 434
TFS check-in today had 2 desks for Club and only one for Economy. Lots of people with status.
Quite a smooth process having done the Verifly. Once at the desk I got through in seconds and they didn't want to see any paperwork.
Then denied entry to the lounge as apparently I didn't qualify. Not bothered as it's not a very good lounge anyway.
Quite a smooth process having done the Verifly. Once at the desk I got through in seconds and they didn't want to see any paperwork.
Then denied entry to the lounge as apparently I didn't qualify. Not bothered as it's not a very good lounge anyway.
Oct 25, 2021, 1:22 pm
#483
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 299
The queues for priority check in at Palma today were longer than economy. And took longer. Meal choices restricted by row 12. It's a pretty poor show really. I'll fly easyjet for SH next time and boo speedy boarding, up front seats and my bike and it'll still be cheaper and my expectations won't be dashed.
BA customer services and their ground staff are in meltdown. It really is a total shambles (their words not mine).
BA customer services and their ground staff are in meltdown. It really is a total shambles (their words not mine).
Nov 6, 2021, 11:09 am
#485
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL / GfL
Posts: 3,261
Just off the BA2600 (LHR-LPA), great crew, but they were on an uphill battle from the start!
15 rows of CE on a A321-NEO and a large amount of them were friends of Dorothy given it is the start of Winter Pride so the expectations on alcohol were high! An hour after take-off we were finished on White wine / Champagne (that after row 8!), gin and vodka. Rum and Whiskey were offered around alongside plenty of beer, but we all had to keep our glasses as fresh supplies were exhausted after the lunch served 1hr into a 3.5hr flight. The crew were great and so were the passengers as we were off on holiday - but given the prices charged for that flight - it is shambolic and not up to standard vs. what is expected. People are delighted to head off on holiday given the last 18mths, but the goodwill towards BA will fade very fast on that type of offering!
Pilot37
15 rows of CE on a A321-NEO and a large amount of them were friends of Dorothy given it is the start of Winter Pride so the expectations on alcohol were high! An hour after take-off we were finished on White wine / Champagne (that after row 8!), gin and vodka. Rum and Whiskey were offered around alongside plenty of beer, but we all had to keep our glasses as fresh supplies were exhausted after the lunch served 1hr into a 3.5hr flight. The crew were great and so were the passengers as we were off on holiday - but given the prices charged for that flight - it is shambolic and not up to standard vs. what is expected. People are delighted to head off on holiday given the last 18mths, but the goodwill towards BA will fade very fast on that type of offering!
Pilot37
Last edited by Pilot37; Nov 6, 2021 at 1:10 pm
Nov 6, 2021, 12:09 pm
#486
Join Date: Apr 2020
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 95
Just off the BA2600 (LHR-LPA), great crew, but they were on an uphill battle from the start!
15 rows of CE on a A321-NEO and a large amount of them were friends of Dorothy given it is the start of Winter Pride so the expectations on alcohol were high! An hour after take-off we were finished on White wine / Champagne (that after row 8!), gin and vodka. Rum and Whiskey were offered around alongside plenty of beer, but we all had to keep our glasses as they were exhausted after the lunch served 1hr into a 3.5hr flight. The crew were great and so were the passengers as we were off on holiday - but given the prices charged for that flight - it is shambolic and not up to standard vs. what is expected. People are delighted to head off on holiday given the last 18mths, but the goodwill towards BA will fade very fast on that type of offering!
Pilot37
15 rows of CE on a A321-NEO and a large amount of them were friends of Dorothy given it is the start of Winter Pride so the expectations on alcohol were high! An hour after take-off we were finished on White wine / Champagne (that after row 8!), gin and vodka. Rum and Whiskey were offered around alongside plenty of beer, but we all had to keep our glasses as they were exhausted after the lunch served 1hr into a 3.5hr flight. The crew were great and so were the passengers as we were off on holiday - but given the prices charged for that flight - it is shambolic and not up to standard vs. what is expected. People are delighted to head off on holiday given the last 18mths, but the goodwill towards BA will fade very fast on that type of offering!
Pilot37
Nov 6, 2021, 12:19 pm
#487
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: BA Exec Gold
Posts: 371
You have a very good attitude to the issue of losing good seats summed up nicely in one sentence. Bravo. You saw no need to BA bash or threaten CEDR/Small Claims/change alliance. Refreshing.
Nov 6, 2021, 12:44 pm
#488
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,741
Nov 6, 2021, 1:01 pm
#489
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: BA Exec Gold
Posts: 371
Nov 6, 2021, 1:35 pm
#491
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,228
Was on BA457 Madrid-London on Friday. It was a 787-8 with full ‘CW’ cabin and CE going back into full WT+
Cabin service was spot on. Everything was hand run with bar service (and nuts) first. Those were proactively topped up throughout the flight with a constant cabin presence. I’ve honestly had less attentive service in Club World. Compare service to / from Berlin earlier in week where a row 1 GCH declining meal had to ask for nuts with drink. It shows the difference of crew who know what they are doing and are trying compared to going thrrough motions. The spinach gnocchi was ok too. It felt like ‘the old normal’. The IB T4S lounge was great as ever with a served hot breakfast buffet (only one food station on right hand part of lounge was set up).
This was a busy club cabin but was managed well so shows it can be done.
Cabin service was spot on. Everything was hand run with bar service (and nuts) first. Those were proactively topped up throughout the flight with a constant cabin presence. I’ve honestly had less attentive service in Club World. Compare service to / from Berlin earlier in week where a row 1 GCH declining meal had to ask for nuts with drink. It shows the difference of crew who know what they are doing and are trying compared to going thrrough motions. The spinach gnocchi was ok too. It felt like ‘the old normal’. The IB T4S lounge was great as ever with a served hot breakfast buffet (only one food station on right hand part of lounge was set up).
This was a busy club cabin but was managed well so shows it can be done.
Nov 6, 2021, 4:50 pm
#492
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL & CCR, GFL
Posts: 495
Just off the BA2600 (LHR-LPA), great crew, but they were on an uphill battle from the start!
15 rows of CE on a A321-NEO and a large amount of them were friends of Dorothy given it is the start of Winter Pride so the expectations on alcohol were high! An hour after take-off we were finished on White wine / Champagne (that after row 8!), gin and vodka. Rum and Whiskey were offered around alongside plenty of beer, but we all had to keep our glasses as fresh supplies were exhausted after the lunch served 1hr into a 3.5hr flight. The crew were great and so were the passengers as we were off on holiday - but given the prices charged for that flight - it is shambolic and not up to standard vs. what is expected. People are delighted to head off on holiday given the last 18mths, but the goodwill towards BA will fade very fast on that type of offering!
Pilot37
15 rows of CE on a A321-NEO and a large amount of them were friends of Dorothy given it is the start of Winter Pride so the expectations on alcohol were high! An hour after take-off we were finished on White wine / Champagne (that after row 8!), gin and vodka. Rum and Whiskey were offered around alongside plenty of beer, but we all had to keep our glasses as fresh supplies were exhausted after the lunch served 1hr into a 3.5hr flight. The crew were great and so were the passengers as we were off on holiday - but given the prices charged for that flight - it is shambolic and not up to standard vs. what is expected. People are delighted to head off on holiday given the last 18mths, but the goodwill towards BA will fade very fast on that type of offering!
Pilot37
Nov 6, 2021, 5:59 pm
#493
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,179
II’d love to have been Lead on that flight. It reminds me of the Scent Spray special charters to Mykonos back at BCAL. We never ran out of anything and we carried a full bar in the hold for the inbound. BA needs to get this nonsense sorted pronto.
Nov 6, 2021, 6:26 pm
#494
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL / GfL
Posts: 3,261
Yes he knows that. Personally I loved his emphasism as this is what I constantly heard when I was flying. It light, delicate, and inoffensive.
II’d love to have been Lead on that flight. It reminds me of the Scent Spray special charters to Mykonos back at BCAL. We never ran out of anything and we carried a full bar in the hold for the inbound. BA needs to get this nonsense sorted pronto.
II’d love to have been Lead on that flight. It reminds me of the Scent Spray special charters to Mykonos back at BCAL. We never ran out of anything and we carried a full bar in the hold for the inbound. BA needs to get this nonsense sorted pronto.
Pilot37
Nov 6, 2021, 6:50 pm
#495
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 85