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British Airways CEO believes era of free meals on short-haul/domestic flights is ending
- Thread starter FriskyCanuck
- Start date
i've only had free food on some Hawaiian airlines flights in the last 10 years or so. nothing from any other airline.
Yeah it's not like you get free meals on a train or bus anyways. Transcontinental and longer I think meals should be part of the ticket.
They still offered them? I've had to pack my own meal all this time regardless of flight duration.
When flying transatlantic Virgin include meals but in honesty they are horrible, in theory it just passes a bit of time but when we flew in August it was just a pain in the ass having the tables down and full of stuff when we were trying to manage an 18 month old.
It wouldn't bother me at all if in future all food was purchasable, leave the drinks included though eh?
It wouldn't bother me at all if in future all food was purchasable, leave the drinks included though eh?
Fuck these guys. The prices on tickets varies day to say by hundreds of dollars. You're telling me you can't get a 5 dollar meal in there?
For a very short flight, okay whatever, but a cheap ass meal is the least they could do for the price of a plane ticket.
Why do corporations continue to do this? How can trickle down work when they can't even be bothered to include the most inexpensive meal to the in flight service? They will take everything they can get, and only when they're scared will they create the illusion of respect to the customer.
For a very short flight, okay whatever, but a cheap ass meal is the least they could do for the price of a plane ticket.
Why do corporations continue to do this? How can trickle down work when they can't even be bothered to include the most inexpensive meal to the in flight service? They will take everything they can get, and only when they're scared will they create the illusion of respect to the customer.
Last time I got anything resembling a meal was a cross-country flight from Atlanta to Vegas a few years ago, and even then, it was just a sandwich.
Admittedly, it was a pretty good sandwich.
Admittedly, it was a pretty good sandwich.
Incidentally perception of British Airways has taken a massive nose dive because of the buy on board food debacle and the IT system screwups:
http://www.headforpoints.com/2017/12/08/british-airways-yougov-report/
Why fly with British Airways for short haul flights if they cost more than a budget airline but charge more for the same amenities?
http://www.headforpoints.com/2017/12/08/british-airways-yougov-report/
Why fly with British Airways for short haul flights if they cost more than a budget airline but charge more for the same amenities?
I'm used to not getting meals on short flights as I usually book cheap flights so easyJet, Ryanair etc. I took my first long-haul flight a few months ago though - to Australia with Singapore Airlines, and it was amazing. Two full meals per leg of the flight (and not small ones either - as well as the "main course" they included a small starter, dessert, bread & butter and a couple of snacks), plus unlimited free drinks and snacks whenever you wanted. The meals were surprisingly good for plane food as well. Considering the distance I was flying it didn't even seem that expensive either compared to comparable airlines for the same destination.
Yup. Count me in the "decreased perception" column, I used to think I'd like to fly BA one day to see what it was like - "the extra cost has to go towards a better flight, right?". Now? Having seen recent BA reviews and experienced other carrier airlines (Singapore), I have no desire to fly BA at current prices. I don't see what the extra is paying for.
I really like the snack + drink you get on short haul with flag carriers, just more relaxing than the budget airlines.
Also I do like long-haul food, can't remember having a bad meal, although I'll happily eat canteen food or expensive steaks.
Also I do like long-haul food, can't remember having a bad meal, although I'll happily eat canteen food or expensive steaks.
On the topic of airplane food, this is what I had last night. It was my first time in Business Class. Cathay decided to give me an upgrade so thanks Cathay.
The first 4 was a whole meal. The burger was considered a "snack".
In Australia it seems airlines have removed free seating and meals from both short AND long hauls. A seat is like $35 and a neal I think is around $20. It's bullshit.
Southwest still gives out peanuts for every flight unless it is a peanut free flight which is rare.
Airlines offer free food? Still? Seriously? I guess just not here.
You pay an arm and a leg, then they want you to whip out your credit card to buy earbuds, blankets, and any little bit of food. Sure, you'll get a small cup of a liquid to drink once every couple of hours, but that's it. And, hey, why not pay $25 to bring a bag when it used to be free and almost everyone needs to?
I'm glad I don't have to fly much. I hate it. If I never flew again, I wouldn't miss it or mind.
You pay an arm and a leg, then they want you to whip out your credit card to buy earbuds, blankets, and any little bit of food. Sure, you'll get a small cup of a liquid to drink once every couple of hours, but that's it. And, hey, why not pay $25 to bring a bag when it used to be free and almost everyone needs to?
I'm glad I don't have to fly much. I hate it. If I never flew again, I wouldn't miss it or mind.
Yup, we turned down a few biz trips we could have taken because I'd rather beat myself with a frying pan than fly in coach at this point.
Biz class now is coach from the 90s.
It really should just depend on how they want to position their airline.
If its a budget airline, I'm not going to give a shit if I don't get a meal.
I flew Cebu Pacific to the Philippines and the flight was terrible, had to pre-purchase food, or could buy snack food on the plane.
Its a budget airline though and has been positioned as such so I knew what I was getting myself into.
Catchay Pacific is the BOMB!
I've only flown economy with them but it was still so good. Here's the menu I had in economy. Excuse the cheesy snapchat caption.
Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines also have really great food - the latter having an amazing drinks menu as well.
If its a budget airline, I'm not going to give a shit if I don't get a meal.
I flew Cebu Pacific to the Philippines and the flight was terrible, had to pre-purchase food, or could buy snack food on the plane.
Its a budget airline though and has been positioned as such so I knew what I was getting myself into.
Catchay Pacific is the BOMB!
I've only flown economy with them but it was still so good. Here's the menu I had in economy. Excuse the cheesy snapchat caption.
Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines also have really great food - the latter having an amazing drinks menu as well.
I dont remember the last time I got any food for a domestic flight in the US, but flying internationally I always get food but thats not always a good thing. I flew Air Canada to HK and the food was horrendous. Cup of Noodles, 1 bite sandwich, rice dish that looked like vomit. I opted out of the rest of the meals.
Unless you fly business/first class, a complimentary drink and snack should be the minimum for a domestic flight.
Brussels Airlines, the Belgian air company, hasn't given free meals on short haul flights in ages. Doesn't really bother me, though I would welcome a free glass of water on every flight (or at least untill they finally cancel the fucking 'no liquids' rule).
It helps that often Brussels Airlines tickets are pretty cheap. They have a low cost range (tickets with just hand luggage), without the Ryanair shenanigans (better seating, no low-cost terminals or small airports far away from your actual destiniation, no lottery tickets begging, ...)
Flying has become very cheap comparatively to even 10 or 15 years ago. That comes with an offset, and if it is no meal, I don't care actually.
It helps that often Brussels Airlines tickets are pretty cheap. They have a low cost range (tickets with just hand luggage), without the Ryanair shenanigans (better seating, no low-cost terminals or small airports far away from your actual destiniation, no lottery tickets begging, ...)
Flying has become very cheap comparatively to even 10 or 15 years ago. That comes with an offset, and if it is no meal, I don't care actually.
until about a year ago, they offered free booze here in the UK too for short flights. oh well.
Yeah British Airways had meals on their short haul flights until last year. To be honest, it was one of the factors that set them a class above shit airlines like Ryanair, and people were willing to pay the premium for it... With this, I have no idea what the difference is with short flights other than where they fly from.
I just got a ticket from NYC to Madrid for $420 so I disagree there. Air travel is as cheap as it's ever been.
In addition to the graph above...
Opinion on change in quality / change in value (keep in mind, this is about expectations, hence where Ryanair is):
Clearly heading in the right direction.
Opinion on change in quality / change in value (keep in mind, this is about expectations, hence where Ryanair is):
Clearly heading in the right direction.
He has turned BA Euro Traveller to total shit. I was recently flying domestic with Rwandan Air, and even they had free wines and beers. BA economy doesn't even have free Coke. When your European service loses to fucking Rwandan domestic service, you know you are scraping the bottom of that Easyjet / Ryanair barrel.
I literally only fly Club with BA. If I need economy, there is no reason to pick them.
I literally only fly Club with BA. If I need economy, there is no reason to pick them.
Club Europe isn't much of an upgrade (assuming you have status). Same shitty legroom, but you get your own armrest and (sometimes) get to sit in front of a curtain.
Crazy.
I'm happy with my free soda and peanuts they give on every American domestic flight. No need for any more
Just to be clear, him talking about food is a distraction tactic to hide the fact that they ended even free soft drinks.
Here's all the stuff you used to get free in BA economy just over a year ago before this Vueling muppet CEO was let loose:
- Free meal / sandwich (depending on duration)
- Free nuts
- Free sodas (Coke, ginger ale etc.)
- Free wines
- Free beer
- Free cocktails (G&T, bloody mary etc.)
- Free hard liquor (whisky, vodka etc.)
Today, you get free water, tea and coffee. Utterly pointless to choose BA economy over Easyjet.
Here's all the stuff you used to get free in BA economy just over a year ago before this Vueling muppet CEO was let loose:
- Free meal / sandwich (depending on duration)
- Free nuts
- Free sodas (Coke, ginger ale etc.)
- Free wines
- Free beer
- Free cocktails (G&T, bloody mary etc.)
- Free hard liquor (whisky, vodka etc.)
Today, you get free water, tea and coffee. Utterly pointless to choose BA economy over Easyjet.
Yeah uh I just buy some dollar menu stuff from McDonalds and take that on the plane with me. Hassle-free and tastes better than airline food so hey what's the problem
Yep count me in as one who use to enjoy the free breakfast meal on domestic flights from ABZ to LHR.
on short distance (< 3h) flights, i haven't gotten a real 'meal' in ages. Like, maybe a super processed tasting blueberry muffin or a tiny bag of saltlets.
The free soda / coffee / tea is all that matters, really.
I always bring a few granola bars or some sandwiches.
When flying transatlantic, i expect to get at least one warm meal, if not multiple
The free soda / coffee / tea is all that matters, really.
I always bring a few granola bars or some sandwiches.
When flying transatlantic, i expect to get at least one warm meal, if not multiple
You don't even get a free can of bloody coke any more? Agreed, pointless to choose them over the low-frills airlines for short haul. You're getting essentially the same service for much more money, and its not like it really matters if you get assigned seating when its a two hour flight
I wouldn't even choose them long-haul unless they were the cheapest by a fair amount either.
What? Delta hasn't given free meals for years. I fly them every year from Seattle to Atlanta and at best you can buy a meal from them.
The food in airflights sucks anyway. Never liked their chicken or ham. Good riddance.
That being said, the paid food probably wont be any better.
That being said, the paid food probably wont be any better.
Same here. Although I usually skip the meals because they are so terrible.
