LHR-AMS: Can any other carrier match BA's service on a 40 minute flight?
Jun 30, 2006, 1:54 am
#1
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LHR-AMS: Can any other carrier match BA's service on a 40 minute flight?
Every time I fly this route, I am amazed at the service on board. This is BA short-haul at their best!
Out and back yesterday, short flights, 35-40 minutes flying time. Yet, in that time, the crew manage to do hot towels, serve a drinks round, nice meal (salad with chicken or fish, choccies), tea/coffee. And it's all done with a smile. We had impeccable service, as usual, out and back, and both crews were extremely friendly and appeared to be genuinely enjoying the job.
Both flights were quite full - 7 or 8 rows in J going out, and at least 12 coming back.
And we still get newspapers at the gate at AMS - Mail, Telegraph (and it's Dutch namesake), Standard.
Can't think of any other airlines that does such a nice job of a 40 minute flight. Are there any?
Oh, and there's an I class bonanaza on LHR-AMS, so it only costs Ł160 plus taxes (which means Ł226 on ba.com or Ł200 on aa.com)
Out and back yesterday, short flights, 35-40 minutes flying time. Yet, in that time, the crew manage to do hot towels, serve a drinks round, nice meal (salad with chicken or fish, choccies), tea/coffee. And it's all done with a smile. We had impeccable service, as usual, out and back, and both crews were extremely friendly and appeared to be genuinely enjoying the job.
Both flights were quite full - 7 or 8 rows in J going out, and at least 12 coming back.
And we still get newspapers at the gate at AMS - Mail, Telegraph (and it's Dutch namesake), Standard.
Can't think of any other airlines that does such a nice job of a 40 minute flight. Are there any?
Oh, and there's an I class bonanaza on LHR-AMS, so it only costs Ł160 plus taxes (which means Ł226 on ba.com or Ł200 on aa.com)
Jun 30, 2006, 1:57 am
#2
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The service on the VG flight from LCY is rather good, and has the advantage that you don't have to deal with the queues at T4! But you do have to cope with an F50...
But yes, I did this on BA last week, and was reminded how good it was. BD used to have staff of the same calibre back in the day, but the recent service changes have made this an irrelevance. The only other ridiculously short flights I've had with that level of service were some hops I did on 9W. Mmm, dosa...
But yes, I did this on BA last week, and was reminded how good it was. BD used to have staff of the same calibre back in the day, but the recent service changes have made this an irrelevance. The only other ridiculously short flights I've had with that level of service were some hops I did on 9W. Mmm, dosa...
Jun 30, 2006, 3:07 am
#3
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It's been a good few years since I took this, but SQ's F class on the SIN-KUL shuttle certainly used to be quite passable, as was the case on Braathens when they used to fly NCL-SVG - and that was in Economy (50 minute flight).
Ahhh - I remember it well. Aperitif, wine with a hot dinner and a cognac to finish it off. Doubles all round and all served in a single drinks run straight after take off. To be honest, you were a bit stuffed if there wasn't an empty tray table next to you to hold your stash of alcohol.
Ahhh - I remember it well. Aperitif, wine with a hot dinner and a cognac to finish it off. Doubles all round and all served in a single drinks run straight after take off. To be honest, you were a bit stuffed if there wasn't an empty tray table next to you to hold your stash of alcohol.
Jun 30, 2006, 3:29 am
#4
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Originally Posted by Swiss Tony
as was the case on Braathens when they used to fly NCL-SVG
Jun 30, 2006, 3:44 am
#5
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Originally Posted by Smirnoff
I assume Braathen has been fully SK-ed, and with SK surely ranking as one of the worst carriers in Europe (with a "don't give a sh*t" attitidue that would make even the old mangement of Soviet Aeroflot proud), this can't be such a great flight any more.
SVG-NCL is nowadays operated by WF, which is the same but in a tiny little Dash-8 turboprop.
Jun 30, 2006, 3:55 am
#7
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Originally Posted by FlyingFinn
Oh yes, BU has been turned into SKBU, currently focusing on flying to the Mediterranean and Canarian sun from pretty much every single dirt strip in Norway that you can land a 737 on. Complete with the famous SAS Punishment class service (i.e. no service at all. For free, that is.).
Funny how Scandinavia has probably the best airline in Europe (AY) and one of the worst (SK).
Jun 30, 2006, 3:57 am
#9
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Originally Posted by pauleeepaul
I had a similar experience recently on BRU-LHR, and sadly reflected how poorly any US carrier would compare on a 40 minute flight.
Ahh, but at least they have super huge seats for fatties though. And everyone sitting in them has been upgraded.
Somehow I prefer BA's CE, even with a small seat.
Jun 30, 2006, 4:02 am
#10
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Originally Posted by Smirnoff
Ahh, but at least they have super huge seats for fatties though. And everyone sitting in them has been upgraded.
Somehow I prefer BA's CE, even with a small seat.
Somehow I prefer BA's CE, even with a small seat.
).
Jun 30, 2006, 4:15 am
#12
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I used to do this flight from Gatwick regularly. i still think htat in club you should always have the choice of a hot meal.
40 minutes to AM and then 30 minutes from Landing to Gate (6 Km is the furthest runway I believe).
And the lounge is miles and miles from the BA gates.
That said, it is still the best service to AMS, by far.
40 minutes to AM and then 30 minutes from Landing to Gate (6 Km is the furthest runway I believe).
And the lounge is miles and miles from the BA gates.
That said, it is still the best service to AMS, by far.
Jun 30, 2006, 4:16 am
#13
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Originally Posted by Smirnoff
Parts of ARN airport are horrid. It really is like going back in time to how SU used to be.
Originally Posted by Smirnoff
Funny how Scandinavia has probably the best airline in Europe (AY) and one of the worst (SK).
But thanks for the praise anyway
. I myself have been amazed by the same thing, how AY and SK are now at the extreme ends of the quality scale, not so long ago it used to be the other way around, with SK beating AY service and friendliness hands down.
Jun 30, 2006, 4:17 am
#14
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Originally Posted by SchmeckFlyer
And just before Christmas they handed out chocalates... above the actual service.
Jun 30, 2006, 4:20 am
#15
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Originally Posted by FlyingFinn
Err, as a Finn I have to correct this. Finland is not a part of Scandinavia, which consists of SE, NO and DK. Add Finland and Iceland, and you get the Nordic Countries.
But thanks for the praise anyway. I myself have been amazed by the same thing, how AY and SK are now at the extreme ends of the quality scale, not so long ago it used to be the other way around, with SK beating AY service and friendliness hands down.
But thanks for the praise anyway
. I myself have been amazed by the same thing, how AY and SK are now at the extreme ends of the quality scale, not so long ago it used to be the other way around, with SK beating AY service and friendliness hands down. But given AY's presence in ARN, it should be considered a major Scandinavian airline too.