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An Enhancement too far? [CE catering band downgrade on certain routes]

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An Enhancement too far? [CE catering band downgrade on certain routes]

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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 5:18 am
  #256  
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Wow that ploughmans looks awful, the chicken looks grey, the one half cherry tomato has not seen any sun drying and the quiche wedge looks dry and unappetising. the eclair looks like something I had probably not describe on here - the fruit scone looks at least baked properly which appears to be the only good thing about this tray. Overall the whole tray screams cheap.
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 7:21 am
  #257  
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Does anybody have any insight into how complaints will be handled? One or two posters seem to have had a reply, but I'm assuming not the majority of us.
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 7:45 am
  #258  
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that ploughman's tray looks disgusting.
Do please write and complain loudly to BA.
Also worth complaining about on the plane - politely please - but say you are unhappy with the offering.
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 7:54 am
  #259  
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Originally Posted by Tafflyer
Ploughmans or Ploughmans

LGW-FAO this afternoon and another extremely underwhelming meal.

On top of that the crew was rubbish, the WiFi didnt work, boarding was completely uncontrolled and the white wine was warm.

Very beige and uninspiring.

At the very least, I hope that you complain about the lack of WiFi; Ive had a couple of awards of 5000 Avios for no WiFi.
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 8:06 am
  #260  
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Originally Posted by Nimrod1965
Very beige and uninspiring.

At the very least, I hope that you complain about the lack of WiFi; Ive had a couple of awards of 5000 Avios for no WiFi.

Apparently theres a fleet wide issue with WiFi hence all references in onboard announcements are not to be used until further notice.
Free messaging for club members also not working, First Customers need to pay then the SCCM needs to arrange a refund. Just another issue to add to the ever growing list.
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 8:12 am
  #261  
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Originally Posted by Flier74
Apparently theres a fleet wide issue with WiFi hence all references in onboard announcements are not to be used until further notice.
Free messaging for club members also not working, First Customers need to pay then the SCCM needs to arrange a refund. Just another issue to add to the ever growing list.

Ah; thanks for that. Not flown BA since October so didnt know about the onboard announcement. My Avios rewards were because I complained and reminded the person who replied that one of the stated benefits of BAC membership was free WiFi messaging. Have they got out of this now by making the announcements on board?
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 8:53 am
  #262  
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Originally Posted by Flier74
Apparently there’s a fleet wide issue with WiFi hence all references in onboard announcements are not to be used until further notice.
Free messaging for club members also not working, First Customers need to pay then the SCCM needs to arrange a refund. Just another issue to add to the ever growing list.
The spotty teenage crew member I complained to on EuroFlyer yesterday told me it's probably bad reception. I knew different of course, but they were indifferent that I was not accepting the fob off. They were also indifferent to me asking them to log it in their iPad and I suspect they did no such thing. But there were 14 rows of CE and 3 very inefficient crew. Tray service, by the way, was by hand and despite the smaller, far less densely populated trays (!), it still took them nearly 90 minutes to deliver all 14 rows. No sooner had they finished delivering food to row 14 did they then start collecting glassware, insisting on replacing full glasses with plastic cups "for landing", despite said landing still being at least 45 minutes away.

If you told me this crew were doing their first ever flight, I would instantly believe you, that's how amateur it all was.
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 8:59 am
  #263  
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Originally Posted by Tafflyer
The spotty teenage crew member
Really ??
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 9:00 am
  #264  
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Wow that ploughman's tray is appalling looking and shame on who ever thought that this was acceptable and signed off on this
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 9:08 am
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Originally Posted by KARFA
previously that route would be a hot meal all day, and include a starter.

i have to say, from my perspective it is hard to understand why you asked for this change Tafflyer
Yes, serves me bloody well right.

Originally Posted by bafan
Seriously people, complain complain complainNot for compensation, but to log your dissatisfaction with the changes. Otherwise, BA will assume they can get away with this, or any other enhancements
My last complaint from last week was not even acknowledged. Indeed, I had the crew log it in the iPad, I hand-wrote a comments card and filed a complaint online. Nothing back from BA at all yet.

Originally Posted by scillyisles
Wow that ploughmans looks awful, the chicken looks grey, the one half cherry tomato has not seen any sun drying and the quiche wedge looks dry and unappetising. the eclair looks like something I had probably not describe on here - the fruit scone looks at least baked properly which appears to be the only good thing about this tray. Overall the whole tray screams cheap.
Originally Posted by camdentown
that ploughman's tray looks disgusting.
Do please write and complain loudly to BA.
Also worth complaining about on the plane - politely please - but say you are unhappy with the offering.
The lettuce was wilting over the branston pickle. The chicken was not only unappetising in colour, it was both consistency and flavour of an ice hockey puck. The quiche tasted in no way related to any of the supposed ingredients. The eclair "dulce de leche" was way too sweet, artificial and generally disgusting. The scone looked ok but totally disintegrated from dryness once picked up which made spreading either jam or cream on it impossible, regardless of in which order I attempted it.

I will complain again, but only for the sake of all of you that still wish to continue flying this apology for an airline. I'm done and frankly, next time I'm on EasyJet with an extra seat and a happy meal, even if it costs the same as CE. It's just so not worth it. I must say the BA mainline flights are generally much better than this, but EuroFlyer are history for me.
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 9:13 am
  #266  
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Originally Posted by mikeyfly
Really ??
Yes, really. Not a clue. I try not to get personal but it feels like there is also a serious issue with recruitment at BA EuroFlyer. I guess new crew also get DNA-tested for cost savings before being selected.
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 10:10 am
  #267  
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Originally Posted by TedToToe
Does anybody have any insight into how complaints will be handled? One or two posters seem to have had a reply, but I'm assuming not the majority of us.
My complaint:

I flew LHR-NCL BA1328 in Club Europe on 14 January .

I had expected to get the usual cooked English breakfast as usual for a morning flight to Newcastle - I am a regular on this route. What BA hadn't told me or anyone else before the flight is that the breakfast on this route (and I understand a few other routes) has now been downgraded since last week so that we no longer get a cooked breakfast. Instead I was offered a small plate of a few slices of fruit, with a small pastry and a small yoghurt. This is in no way equivalent to the cooked breakfast I used to receive on this route and clearly a downgrade to what is offered. I can understand if BA wanted to offer a fruit plate as an additional option for those who would prefer it, but there is no choice given to customers. BA has simply withdrawn the cooked breakfast and it is either the small fruit plate or nothing.

BA talks a lot about wanting to be a premium airline, but changes like this just seem cheap and almost intended to annoy otherwise loyal customers. This is merely cost cutting dressed up with some pretence of offering customers what they asked for despite customers never being explicitly asked whether they want this change.

Also please dont claim serving the hot breakfast has become challenging. I have flown enough to know that well organised crews can easily complete the service within the time allowed. If a small minority of crew are struggling, this should be a prompt for BA to give some additional training, not used as an excuse to cut what is offered.

Added to the other changes last week downgrading some routes from band 3 to 2, removing the starter from band 3 and 4 routes, and removing a hot meal in the afternoon from band 3 it really does highlight that the overall motivation for these changes is cost cutting. There is no sense that BA has an overarching purpose to be a premium airline, or that when deciding this change anyone really asked how does it fit with that purpose and is cutting the hot breakfast something a premium airline would do mostly because it doesnt. BA seems to be obsessed with cutting costs, not how they can improve the service even if it costs more to do it.

I have to say these changes, in particular the removal of hot breakfasts, has really annoyed me and talking to other people I know who fly with BA their view is the same. I am really frustrated and really disappointed that BA have made these changes against their passengers wishes.
What seems to now be the standard reply:

​​​​​​​Thank you for speaking to me this morning about your Billund flight and for taking the time to write to us about your experience in Club Europe on BA1328 from London Heathrow to Newcastle on 14 January. Were sorry to hear that you are unhappy with the recent changes to our meal options, on a selection of our shortest Club Europe flights. The company does feel that due to the limited time available on these journeys, serving and enjoying a hot breakfast has become challenging. The decision was taken to ensure a more comfortable experience, and well now offer a continental breakfast on these routes.

However, its important that we acknowledge that you are disappointed by the change to the breakfast offering, particularly as youre a regular customer on this route and had clear expectations based on past experience. We do understand why the withdrawal of the hot breakfast feels like a downgrade, especially when it wasnt communicated in advance and no alternative hot option was available. We recognise that, for many customers, the onboard dining experience is an important part of what distinguishes Club Europe, and its understandably annoying when the service doesnt align with what youve previously received or what you associate with a premium product.

Youre right that, in recent weeks, weve made some changes to the onboard service on certain short‑haul routes, including adjustments to meal formats and catering bands. These decisions are taken after careful consideration of customer feedback, operational constraints and consistency across the network, but we accept that the outcome on this occasion didnt meet your expectationsor those of other loyal customers who value the traditional cooked breakfast on early‑morning flights.

We also acknowledge your point regarding communication. When changes affect the service customers have come to expect, its important that we do better at explaining whats changing and why, particularly for frequent travellers such as yourself. Your comments about choice, perceived value and how these changes align with our broader aspirations as a premium airline are especially appreciated and will be shared with the teams responsible for onboard product and service design.

A hot breakfast will continue to be available on the vast majority of our short-haul flights, and we are also introducing a new Ploughmans Afternoon Tea concept on some of our longer short-haul flights, which combines the best of a classic Ploughmans and Afternoon Tea.

Im genuinely sorry that this experience left you feeling disappointed and annoyed. While I appreciate that this doesnt undo the frustration of your journey, please know that feedback like yours does influence future decisions.

We value your loyalty and are grateful that youve taken the time to articulate your concerns so clearly. Once again, please accept our apologies for your experience on this trip. We hope to welcome you back on board soon.
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 11:30 am
  #268  
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Makes me think that I've been very lucky to squeeze so many compo Avios out of them... maybe I could offer my services to those of you that are just getting the fob off...
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 12:11 pm
  #269  
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My goodness KARFA I thought you had a special connection to BA

Seriously though, credit to the effort BA went to and sheer volume of prose generated for the simple message of sod off. All I can say is to recommend you do as I have, and do exactly what BA suggests. They really do not deserve your good nature.
BA or bust and SirToby like this.
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Old Jan 19, 2026 | 12:31 pm
  #270  
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Originally Posted by Tafflyer
My goodness KARFA I thought you had a special connection to BA

Seriously though, credit to the effort BA went to and sheer volume of prose generated for the simple message of sod off. All I can say is to recommend you do as I have, and do exactly what BA suggests. They really do not deserve your good nature.
just means i get the standard reply a bit quicker than others
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