No pre-departure drinks in Club Europe?
Oct 24, 2023, 12:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 56
No pre-departure drinks in Club Europe?
I’ve flown Club Europe a handful of times in the past, and always remember having a pre departure beverage. But, yesterday I did not on a three hour flight. Am I perhaps seeing CE with rose tinted glasses or have they changed it? Luck of the draw with flight attendants and timing?
Oct 24, 2023, 12:33 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 780
I’ve flown Club Europe a handful of times in the past, and always remember having a pre departure beverage. But, yesterday I did not on a three hour flight. Am I perhaps seeing CE with rose tinted glasses or have they changed it? Luck of the draw with flight attendants and timing?
some will say “enhanced away” which seems to be a common buzz-phrase on here
Oct 24, 2023, 12:42 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,937
I’ve flown Club Europe a handful of times in the past, and always remember having a pre departure beverage. But, yesterday I did not on a three hour flight. Am I perhaps seeing CE with rose tinted glasses or have they changed it? Luck of the draw with flight attendants and timing?
No hot towel anymore.
Oct 24, 2023, 12:46 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 56
I’d say 2013-19, so yeh that is a decade, it’s no AA domestic first.
Oct 24, 2023, 2:13 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,243
Haven't those mid haul routes where they used SH aircraft offered pre-departure drink before covid? It was meant to use the ex BMI A321 with the lay flat business seats however BA sometimes used just normal SH aircrafts? Otherwise I can't recall any pre departure drinks and I do fly with BA since 2004.
Oct 24, 2023, 2:57 am
#13
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,180
Club Europe has never offered PDBs , sometimes it would be physically possible, but you only have to read here about Club Europe with possibly as many as 56 passengers and the logistics speak for themselves. Even if that was possible HM customs forbid the opening of the bars until after take off as the entire bar is tax free. If they were to catch the bar open BA would have a heft bill for all the bonded alcohol. CW offers Champagne, Water , or Orange Juice before take off. The Champagne is tax paid.
FWIW I noticed that Air France has given up serving welcome Champagne in Business on European Flights as well.
Oct 24, 2023, 4:18 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 326
I have never known pre departure drinks in CE on BA, the exception being during lengthy ground delays where a proactive crew will crack open a bottle of... water and pass around a tray of pre poured water in plastic cups, however this is not the standard.
Oct 24, 2023, 4:26 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,243
