BA heading (further) down the LCC path

[JessicaTam]

From the (UK) Telegraph: British Airways to start charging customers for food on flights

In a bid to compete with its low-fare airline rivals, British Airways is set to abandon its policy of giving away complimentary meals to all of its passengers.

Credit to Loyalty Lobby for the heads up.

 

[TonyHancock]

I think BA is in a bit of a hole with the short haul Europe business. Like Qantas it set up a low cost carrier (Go) but then sold it over ten years ago. Now it is trying to be all things to everybody and I don't think it works well.I'm not saying the Jetstar route is the answer either but that does afford some protection for the Qantas brand.

 

[andye]

I'm an atypical user but find that even when not using a Reward Flight Saver, the Y cost differences between BA and LCC are small when you factor in baggage and proximity/connections of airports

 

[Mattg]

How is this competing with low-cost rivals?

I thought that competing meant offering either a superior service or undercutting on price? Here, BA seems to be going for the "equally poor service for a premium price" approach.

That'll work for them, surely?!

 

[docjames]

BA are really cornered with their short haul. They need to it compliment their long haul (connections), but the offering is becoming pathetic. The "legroom" in "business" is a joke (the food is still ok), they are trying to be too many things to too many people.

 

[bryanjones]

Usually just biscuits or chips on the GVA-LHR route.

 

[MH_fan]

Only Row 1 on their short-haul European flights can be considered anything close to a business class product. Their prices are competitive and I always book in J if I can get row 1. The service has always been very good though.

 

[TonyHancock]

Only Row 1 on their short-haul European flights can be considered anything close to a business class product. Their prices are competitive and I always book in J if I can get row 1. The service has always been very good though.

I'm not even sure Row 1 is, although I get your point. The meals are not too bad though. There is of course the very, very, very long shot that you finish up with an ex BMI A321 With the 1-2, 2-1 config. The "throne" is a mighty fine seat.

 

[Renato1]

I think BA were heading down the LCC path a long time ago. Last time I flew BA was in 2005 from Melbourne to Bangkok in economy.

The first people they served meals to were the vegetarians - fair enough.
Then they served meals to the rest. Every second meal they handed out (no choice), including mine, was vegetarian. My wife's meal had a tiny piece of meat which she shared with me. The meals were pretty tiny. By the time we got to Bangkok in the middle of the night I was ravenous - and there wasn't any place there to get a piece of meat while waiting for our flight to London with Qantas.

It was the worst international flight meal I've ever had, and have never flown BA again. As a precaution, in case I ever fly some other airline with such lousy meals, I've always taken some bags of beef jerky on every flight since then. But luckily I've never had to use them.

Are BA meals in economy still as bad as the ones we had back then?
Regards,
Renato

 

[Mattg]

I think BA were heading down the LCC path a long time ago. Last time I flew BA was in 2005 from Melbourne to Bangkok in economy.

The first people they served meals to were the vegetarians - fair enough.
Then they served meals to the rest. Every second meal they handed out (no choice), including mine, was vegetarian. My wife's meal had a tiny piece of meat which she shared with me. The meals were pretty tiny. By the time we got to Bangkok in the middle of the night I was ravenous - and there wasn't any place there to get a piece of meat while waiting for our flight to London with Qantas.

It was the worst international flight meal I've ever had, and have never flown BA again. As a precaution, in case I ever fly some other airline with such lousy meals, I've always taken some bags of beef jerky on every flight since then. But luckily I've never had to use them.

Are BA meals in economy still as bad as the ones we had back then?
Regards,
Renato

I've flown BA long-haul economy a couple of times over the past few years and have found the meals to be decidedly average. Having said that, there was a choice of meals and they did not stand out as being the worst plane food I've had.

 

[ANstar]

I'm an atypical user but find that even when not using a Reward Flight Saver, the Y cost differences between BA and LCC are small when you factor in baggage and proximity/connections of airports

Given BA already charge for bags & seat selection the only thing that sets them apart from the likes of easyJet (who also fly to main airports) is the FF program and complimentary onboard catering... and it they get rid of short haul catering and go buy on board it pretty much makes them like for like. I personally find the new easyJet seats much more comfy than the BA new seats on short haul.

 

[JohnK]

I'm an atypical user but find that even when not using a Reward Flight Saver, the Y cost differences between BA and LCC are small when you factor in baggage and proximity/connections of airports

I have stayed away from BA when they introduced excess baggage charge for golf clubs as they are not included in your luggage allowance. Not sure if the charge is waived for status passengers.

 

[LGW]

I had a bit of a look at this, and it seems rather than removing a complimentary snack, passengers in economy now have the ability to order a pretty decent meal if they want one.

I'm not likely to fly in economy, however I'm sure if I had to, the knowledge I had the ability to at least be assured of pretty good catering would make it a little more bearable.

You're not really paying over the odds for Club Europe. One can generally get return paid fares for under $400 AUD from London. When I consider I had to pay $1600 from MEL-BNE in business recently, I think BA is quite affordable.

I would add, that I've ony just joined BAEC based on suggestions from members on this forum, so I would not be considered a biased fan.

 

[scaredeycat]

The Cat family flew Club Europe Toulouse-London yesterday and were extremely underwhelmed. Disinterested FA and appalling food. Legroom OK, but we were in row 1. Compared poorly with QF's product.

 

[DaveB]

BA still has some distance to go following Iberia on the way down.

Daughter took ATH - MAD and MAD - LHR last year in J probably below our shorthaul QF Y with the middle seat left vacant. Wife and I took LCY - MAD & MAD - LHR on BA J which was underwhelming though still well ahead of their sister Iberia.

 

[clifford]

I was recently searching for a QF business class award FCO-BKK and the choices came down to BA (via LHR) or QR (via DOH). QR were offering 787/777 and BA 320/777. When I looked at the cabin layouts the decision made itself. Who wants to sit in J on a 777 in a 2-4-2 arrangement, especially when QR was 1-2-1 (787) and 2-2-2 (777)?

I've previously sampled the QR 787 in J and it's very nice...

 

[LGW]

I was recently searching for a QF business class award FCO-BKK and the choices came down to BA (via LHR) or QR (via DOH). QR were offering 787/777 and BA 320/777. When I looked at the cabin layouts the decision made itself. Who wants to sit in J on a 777 in a 2-4-2 arrangement, especially when QR was 1-2-1 (787) and 2-2-2 (777)?

Seems like a no brainer really. 2-4-2 seems like economy to me. I'd be devastated on a long haul flight if I did not have direct aisle access in a premium cabin.

I'm flying in F from KUL-LHR in a BA 787 later this month and I have heard that cabin is quite nice. Returning to Hong Kong with BA in F A380. I have never tried BA F before, Done LH, QF, EK and EY. So far, my best experience has been LH, (main airline with company) but I recently Joined BA to get One World Emerald as I'll be flying a lot intra Asia.

 

[ftm]

Seems like a no brainer really. 2-4-2 seems like economy to me. I'd be devastated on a long haul flight if I did not have direct aisle access in a premium cabin.

I'm flying in F from KUL-LHR in a BA 787 later this month and I have heard that cabin is quite nice. Returning to Hong Kong with BA in F A380. I have never tried BA F before, Done LH, QF, EK and EY. So far, my best experience has been LH, (main airline with company) but I recently Joined BA to get One World Emerald as I'll be flying a lot intra Asia.

We returned last week from a BA F trip. A380 F is fine, 777 F is adequate. Neither are outstanding, but their pricing is basically the same as many other airlines J, so in that context it is a very good J !

 

[drivatruk]

I just completed 2 Club Europe flights with BA.

1. No pre departure drinks. Pax in row 1 i suspect was on staff travel as she knew the Flight Manager by name. When the flight levelled out she ran to the toilet, i thought until she ran back out of the galley with a wine bottle and two glasses and took them her friends in economy. Later in the flight she did one better and upgraded her friends from Y in to J in the empty seats behind me. Then to my astonishment she went and got more wine from the galley and put it into her luggage in the overhead locker.

2. No pre departure drinks and stale sandwiches for the snack.

3. Do BA do pre departure drinks??? Its the first time ever in J i haven't been offered a drink flying on any airline. I only mean juice or water as I'm not huge alcohol drinker.

 

[ANstar]

I just completed 2 Club Europe flights with BA.

1. No pre departure drinks..

BA don't do pre departure drinks in Club Europe.