Long haul in-flight catering 2023 | First
#16
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: London
Programs: BAEC GGL (Gallium Guest List), QRPC Molybdenum, Skywards Zirconium
Posts: 4,517
Perhaps I got unlucky but I was served a dried out piece of fish with a couple of sad looking vegetables last week - I certainly wouldn't describe it as superb.

The crew on both this segment and the return were early 20s and so inexperienced they weren't even capable of setting a table properly which could explain it, I suppose...

The crew on both this segment and the return were early 20s and so inexperienced they weren't even capable of setting a table properly which could explain it, I suppose...
#17
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: U.K.
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 241
#18
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,229
Perhaps I got unlucky but I was served a dried out piece of fish with a couple of sad looking vegetables last week - I certainly wouldn't describe it as superb.

The crew on both this segment and the return were early 20s and so inexperienced they weren't even capable of setting a table properly which could explain it, I suppose...

The crew on both this segment and the return were early 20s and so inexperienced they weren't even capable of setting a table properly which could explain it, I suppose...
#19
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, BA Amex Prem, BA Amex Business, Amex Platinum, Coutts Silk, Hilton Diamond etc.
Posts: 2,955
I think about 50% of my flights in the past few months I’ve had former WW crew and they were absolutely fantastic. No doubt that the return/Eastbound legs are less enthusiastic but when you are only getting 1 night down-route after flights of DFW/MIA length I can understand it at least. No doubt I feel it makes a huge difference when you can get FFD and eat well beforehand and not need to bother with an evening meal on board. JFK and the CCR used to be great for that.
#20
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,192
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 26,121

You are right, it is typically chicken, beef and a fish so yes it is 'safe', though given you're talking specifically on meat are you suggesting you'd like to see lamb and pork appear more often (or something more exotic?!) Lamb does sometimes make an appearance, though I can't remember when I last saw pork? Whilst I'd love to see more variety and these 2 proteins appear more often I think if you were to run a survey chicken and beef would likely be the top 2 by quite a margin so I 'get it'. They are most definitely comfort foods, the chicken often comes as a curry, and the beef dish typically comes with the traditional 'trimmings' whereas the seafood item is sometimes a little more adventurous.
What should they do? I think they just have more variety, perhaps a rotating 5th main which is a little more exotic. This I think is an achievable middleground.
What should they do? I think they just have more variety, perhaps a rotating 5th main which is a little more exotic. This I think is an achievable middleground.
And on the fish, would maybe be nice to see scallops or lobster.
#22
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, BA Amex Prem, BA Amex Business, Amex Platinum, Coutts Silk, Hilton Diamond etc.
Posts: 2,955
When MF first started there was a split between WW and MF long-haul routes (much debated on FT, of course) so that routes that were served by the A380 and had MF might tend to have less experienced crew whereas if you were on a 747 to JFK you had WW and they had been doing it for many years (generally). But that was only really short term and the crews now are dispersed with a mix of long and short haul and you find very experienced crew across the fleet including on A380s, 777s and 787s in F. They should all have been trained to a minimum standard and I think you would be worrying unnecessarily if you thought there was anything much more than a very tiny chance of getting CC who were totally disinterested or somehow incompetent. Most are proud to work for BA and enjoy serving in F; IME anyway.
#24
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Colorado, US
Programs: LH Senator BA Silver
Posts: 159
I was on BA 55 to JNB last month and opted to eat in the CCR despite it being the earlier of the two departures. Came back a few days ago and also opted to eat beforehand in the First Dining of the GL in JNB. My partner ate on the plane and said it was ok but nothing special.
#25
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 30 miles from London
Programs: BAEC Gold, MUCCI, Elite Fan of MO, Marriott
Posts: 1,393
Perhaps I got unlucky but I was served a dried out piece of fish with a couple of sad looking vegetables last week - I certainly wouldn't describe it as superb.

The crew on both this segment and the return were early 20s and so inexperienced they weren't even capable of setting a table properly which could explain it, I suppose...

The crew on both this segment and the return were early 20s and so inexperienced they weren't even capable of setting a table properly which could explain it, I suppose...
#26
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Northern Rocky Mountains
Programs: BAEC Gold/OWE/LPGS, AS, Hilton Dia & IHG
Posts: 885
Perhaps I got unlucky but I was served a dried out piece of fish with a couple of sad looking vegetables last week - I certainly wouldn't describe it as superb.

The crew on both this segment and the return were early 20s and so inexperienced they weren't even capable of setting a table properly which could explain it, I suppose...

The crew on both this segment and the return were early 20s and so inexperienced they weren't even capable of setting a table properly which could explain it, I suppose...
#27
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MUCCI
Posts: 1,818
Ha ha! I really like that small Concorde Lounge for Dining in F - especially if you have connected. The food is nice and they are quite efficient with drinks etc there. Always a good bet. I do tend to snack in there and then eat on the plane as I find 12 hours with no food a bit much (and rarely eat breakfast) but that's just me!
FD.
FD.
#28
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: U.K.
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 241
You are right, it is typically chicken, beef and a fish so yes it is 'safe', though given you're talking specifically on meat are you suggesting you'd like to see lamb and pork appear more often (or something more exotic?!) Lamb does sometimes make an appearance, though I can't remember when I last saw pork? Whilst I'd love to see more variety and these 2 proteins appear more often I think if you were to run a survey chicken and beef would likely be the top 2 by quite a margin so I 'get it'. They are most definitely comfort foods, the chicken often comes as a curry, and the beef dish typically comes with the traditional 'trimmings' whereas the seafood item is sometimes a little more adventurous.
What should they do? I think they just have more variety, perhaps a rotating 5th main which is a little more exotic. This I think is an achievable middleground.
Oh, but most of all fix the light meal and the 'snacks'. The 'snacks' are criminal and inferior to what is available after a walk back into the club kitchen.
What should they do? I think they just have more variety, perhaps a rotating 5th main which is a little more exotic. This I think is an achievable middleground.
Oh, but most of all fix the light meal and the 'snacks'. The 'snacks' are criminal and inferior to what is available after a walk back into the club kitchen.
