BA F service. Quo vadis?
Jan 15, 2022, 3:43 am
#31
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,625
Jan 15, 2022, 3:50 am
#32
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,231
I haven’t flown in F since the pandemic and I’ve never experienced that level of “impersonal” / robotic service in F. I would be tempted to send a short note to BA about this. As a GGL member, paying cash, they should listen. If they choose not to, up to them, but at least give customer relations the opportunity to make this right. Also, I expect OP wouldn’t be GGL or posting here if they really didn’t care so please try. I fully appreciate the majority view is you will get rebuffed. My limited experience of complaints where I have contacted CR is that I have been pleasantly surprised, although I am naturally a cynic with pretty low expectations, which I think helps. All I do know is that if you don’t ask you don’t get.
Yes, a coffee should have been available one hour before landing unless the flight crew had advised the cabin crew not to serve hot beverages due to possible turbulence, in which case, this should have been explained.
Yes, a coffee should have been available one hour before landing unless the flight crew had advised the cabin crew not to serve hot beverages due to possible turbulence, in which case, this should have been explained.
Jan 15, 2022, 7:37 am
#33
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,187
Believe me I have heard that - but not on BA.
Jan 15, 2022, 7:42 am
#34
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,392
Jan 15, 2022, 8:38 am
#38
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,076
Jan 15, 2022, 9:05 am
#40
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: GGL, UA 1MM
Posts: 486
I had a recent F trip to MEX. I was very disappointed.
On the way out, we were bussed to the gate. The bus was just as packed as if there were no pandemic. Given the lack of masks and constant coughing was surprised we didn't end up with covid. If BA advertises 1st as a premium experience, it would be nice if they could at least put on a separate bus for 1st/Club, or better still use a stand. A robotic GGL welcome was embarrassing. Other than that the crew was a good one. Journey home a different story - when I asked for breakfast prior to landing was told they had run out, even at 90min out so was just given a small bowl of frozen fruit - 8/8 seats taken but surprised they didn't have enough for us. Club didn't look much better. My son was left to sleep sitting up in his seat; not flying for a while he was unaware the bedding in the overhead locker, nor how to operate the seat. He was dozing off and when I came to help him I was shooed back into my cabin, but at least they showed him where controls etc were.
BA at its best can be so good, I just seem to see it less frequently now.
On the way out, we were bussed to the gate. The bus was just as packed as if there were no pandemic. Given the lack of masks and constant coughing was surprised we didn't end up with covid. If BA advertises 1st as a premium experience, it would be nice if they could at least put on a separate bus for 1st/Club, or better still use a stand. A robotic GGL welcome was embarrassing. Other than that the crew was a good one. Journey home a different story - when I asked for breakfast prior to landing was told they had run out, even at 90min out so was just given a small bowl of frozen fruit - 8/8 seats taken but surprised they didn't have enough for us. Club didn't look much better. My son was left to sleep sitting up in his seat; not flying for a while he was unaware the bedding in the overhead locker, nor how to operate the seat. He was dozing off and when I came to help him I was shooed back into my cabin, but at least they showed him where controls etc were.
BA at its best can be so good, I just seem to see it less frequently now.
Jan 15, 2022, 9:18 am
#41
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 834
I can only speak from experience that now F working positions are the least popular whereas pre pandemic they were the most popular, mainly stemming from lack of confidence after most crew having had nearly two years off and reduced crewing levels. Not saying this is always the case but certainly more frequent than pre pandemic.
Are crew 'certified' for providing service in certain cabins?
And then I wonder how crew feel about working F - I can imagine it can be very pleasant at times, only needing to serve a small number of customers - but also appreciate if you get just one complete ... of a customer - it becomes a nightmare.
Jan 15, 2022, 10:01 am
#43
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 346
Was curious as how it's decided which cabin a crew member works in - crew choice, luick of the draw, whim of the IFM, rostered for that cabin etc.
Are crew 'certified' for providing service in certain cabins?
And then I wonder how crew feel about working F - I can imagine it can be very pleasant at times, only needing to serve a small number of customers - but also appreciate if you get just one complete ... of a customer - it becomes a nightmare.
Are crew 'certified' for providing service in certain cabins?
And then I wonder how crew feel about working F - I can imagine it can be very pleasant at times, only needing to serve a small number of customers - but also appreciate if you get just one complete ... of a customer - it becomes a nightmare.
Saying that crew are qualified to work in J or F only after their relevant J or F class training, and cannot work in these cabins unless qualified to do so, so sometimes ifm will need to move positions around / assess level of experience etc.to ensure spread of experience and only crew qualified in those cabins are working there
Pre pandemic, F positions are often first to be taken up, as crew like the individualised service and you often get crew who are v accustomed to the service, especially given most flights had a F cabin. Now, F working positions seem to be quite unpopular due to crew not having had much opportunity to work there as a result of furlough/ less flights with F cabins / reduced crewing levels and as a result less confidence.
Ideal world we have correct number of crew qualified for the service in that cabin but given recent crewing levels as long as there is enough crew to have that aircraft off the ground legally from a safety perspective, then the flight goes.
Jan 15, 2022, 10:06 am
#44
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 324
Jan 15, 2022, 1:39 pm
#45
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Gold, A3*G
Posts: 315
Just flown to Male in F and it was a very good service better than a few years ago having had some awful crews to Tokyo and Shanghai that could even give me the right drink
Offered to be shown to seat by CSM, nice new 8 seat cabin, two experienced CC working my side of the cabin who were very engaging and chatty, asked sizes for sleeper suit and slippers, menu explained, wash bag etc.
pre take of drinks with top ups. Once airborne drinks and canapés, sat with who I was flying with and proactive drink top ups.
back to seat for dinner and the curry talked about was excellent, usual F dinner service.
After in PJS and reclined for a film and fell asleep, woke up 4 hours later and had been covered in a duvet by the crew, and doors closed so that I think is good old fashioned service, when I woke crew popped by to see if I needed anything
few hours later usual nice breakfast service
so overall I very good flight even compared to pre covid and cabin was full
Offered to be shown to seat by CSM, nice new 8 seat cabin, two experienced CC working my side of the cabin who were very engaging and chatty, asked sizes for sleeper suit and slippers, menu explained, wash bag etc.
pre take of drinks with top ups. Once airborne drinks and canapés, sat with who I was flying with and proactive drink top ups.
back to seat for dinner and the curry talked about was excellent, usual F dinner service.
After in PJS and reclined for a film and fell asleep, woke up 4 hours later and had been covered in a duvet by the crew, and doors closed so that I think is good old fashioned service, when I woke crew popped by to see if I needed anything
few hours later usual nice breakfast service
so overall I very good flight even compared to pre covid and cabin was full
Last edited by ozon78; Jan 15, 2022 at 1:50 pm